Aidan O'Brien has emphasized the importance of Michael Kinane riding Galileo in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes but declined to speculate yesterday on what action he might take if the jockey is unavailable. A two-day ban picked up at Leopardstown on Wednesday ruled Kinane out of the King George, but the option of an appeal remains for the former champion jockey. Kinane has 48 hours from when the original inquiry took place to lodge such an appeal with the Turf Club.

"It is up to Mick about an appeal and he will probably decide later. Obviously, it is very important for us that he would be able to ride the horse but we will have to see what happens," O'Brien said yesterday.

The Ballydoyle trainer declined to comment on who might come in for the mount on Galileo if Kinane is unable, or even if the horse would run at all in the Ascot spectacular if his regular rider is unavailable.

However, the bookmakers remain convinced Galileo will run in the King George, and the unbeaten dual-Derby winner remains a 1 to 2 favourite with Paddy Power. "Our understanding is that the horse will run," said a Powers spokesman. The Turf Club chief executive Brian Kavanagh said yesterday: "Michael has 48 hours in which to lodge his appeal. If he does appeal it will be held as quickly as possible."

Fresh from three winners at the Killarney festival, Ruby Walsh can enjoy a bumper evening at Kilbeggan and improve upon his current 14 total for the new jumps season, which has him level with Barry Geraghty at the top of the table.

Significantly, the champion jockey is on the topweight Spot The difference in the featured Elan Midlands National, and despite a 13lb hike in the ratings following the completion of a hat-trick here last time, the JP McManus-owned runner should still prove hard to beat.

Walsh should also be on the mark with Whispering Wind in the two miles and six furlongs maiden hurdle. The form being shown by Frances Crowley's horses and a half length second to John James in a Naas bumper, present a pretty convincing argument.

Dual Star, third to Berengarius at Naas, could also prove a bit of value in the handicap hurdle; and Ear To the Ground should be hard to beat in the beginners' chase.