RACING: Ruby Walsh will ride the defending champion Florida Pearl in Thursday's King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The Willie Mullins-trained star is one of 11 horses left in the three-mile Christmas highlight along with the other Irish hope Native Upmanship.

Barry Geraghty, who rode Florida Pearl to win at Liverpool and Punchestown last season, and who partnered the horse at Down Royal last month, has chosen to ride at Leopardstown instead.

That leaves Mullins's stable jockey Walsh to resume his partnership with Florida Pearl, who was ridden by Adrian Maguire in last year's King George.

Walsh rode Florida Pearl into second in the King George of 2000 behind First Gold, but the Irish horse is unlikely to have to face the French star again.

First Gold is one of the 11 King George entries but his preferred option remains the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Trainer Francois Doumen said yesterday: "The main programme would be to go to the Ericsson, but we wanted to stay on the safe side just in case there is any difficulty getting there.

"He has been super since running in the Durkan at Punchestown. I am going to give him another piece of work and then he will be sharp for his next race."

Mullins and Walsh will also team up at Kempton with the Champion Hurdle hope Davenport Milenium. Other Mullins runners at the London track will be MacsValley and possibly One Night Out in the Feltham Novices' Chase.

Jim Culloty has been ruled out of the ride on Best Mate in the King George VI Chase after an application for an adjournment of his appeal against a three-day ban was rejected by the JockeyClub and he subsequently withdrew it.

Culloty picked up the suspension at Doncaster last Friday for dropping his hands on Beechwood and losing third place in a National Hunt Flat Race.