Mullins to run Banquet in National

Willie Mullins looks set to rely on Alexander Banquet in the Martell Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week, it was revealed today.

Mullins is unlikely to confirm stable mate Florida Pearl at Monday`s five-day stage for the marathon Stg#500,000 showpiece.

'At the moment it looks like Alexander Banquet will be and I`ll probably go for one of the other chases at Aintree with Florida Pearl,' Mullins said.

Both horses went to the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup with high hopes on their last start, but both ran slightly below par.

Alexander Banquet is much more effective with cut in the ground and in the circumstances, and with Aintree in mind, ran well enough to finish sixth.

Florida Pearl, winner of the King George VI Chase on St Stephen's Day, dropped away tamely to come home 11th of the 13 finishers.

Mullins added: 'They have been in so-so form since Cheltenham, I haven`t done much with them since.'

Jockey plans for the pair are somewhat up in the air but Mullins is hoping Barry Geraghty will be successful in his appeal against a 12-day suspension he picked up for his riding of Magnus at the Cheltenham Festival.

Adrian Maguire had partnered Florida Pearl on his two starts prior to his Festival defeat but was ruled of the ride in the Gold Cup through injury, with Conor O`Dwyer getting the leg up on the 10-year-old.

'I`m hoping Barry Geraghty will be available to ride Alexander Banquet, I`ll wait on the outcome of that (his appeal), and I`ll have to search around for a jockey for Florida Pearl,' said the trainer.

Alexander Banquet is a best-priced 16-1 for the National with the Tote.