Riding arrangements for Florida Pearl in the James Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal on November 11 have yet to be finalised, it emerged today.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, runner-up in last season`s Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, was ridden by Paul Carberry last term as stable jockey Ruby Walsh was sidelined with a broken right shin.
And Mullins could once again be on the look out for a rider for his stable star at Down Royal following the news that Walsh injured his wrist at Cork last Saturday.
'Ruby sees the specialist today and then we`ll know a bit more,' Mullins said. 'I believe Paul is back from injury this weekend so things might be looking up.
'I`d be very happy with Paul riding - he got on well with the horse last year.'
Walsh returned from the injury he picked up in the Czech Republic in October five months later and went on to win the Martell Grand National on Papillon and the Irish equivalent on Commanche Court, both trained by his father Ted.
'Ruby missed out last season but he certainly made up for lost time,' added Mullins.
