Returning Ruby likes Star signs as he gets into gear for Kempton

Walsh finished third on both his rides at Thurles — Paramount and Cousin Peter — as he emerged unscathed from his first action since dislocating a shoulder at Cheltenham when Willyanwoody fell fatally.

He then pronounced himself fit to ride four horses at Kempton — Kauto Star, Silverburn, Gwanako and Nycteos.

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The decision to ride Silverburn in the Feltham Novices' Chase is a surprise as trainer Paul Nicholls, reluctant to take risks, was threatening to make supersub Sam Thomas ride the six-year-old full brother to Denman.

But clearly Walsh has maximum confidence in his jumping.

Thomas, who has made such a name for himself on the likes of Kauto Star, Mr Pointment, Denman and Twist Magic in Walsh's absence, will ride only Taranis in the King George and Font in the opening novices' hurdle.

Kauto Star will face only six rivals as he attempts to win the King George for the second time.

Walsh said: "Everything's working. I wouldn't have come back unless I was 100 per cent. I'm looking forward to Wednesday and the batteries are alright.

"Every horse running in the King George has a right to be there. It will be a good race. It doesn't look like there is going to be a huge amount of pace but I suppose Our Vic is the only front-runner."

The seven-runner field incudes the two who chased him home last season, Exotic Dancer and Racing Demon.

Thanks to the dynamite form of trainer David Pipe, with Vodka Bleu and Lough Derg at Ascot on Saturday following up the wins of Tamarinbleu and Osana at Cheltenham the previous weekend, Our Vic has been backed from 25-1 to 9-1 with totesport since Friday.

Meanwhile, Nicholls has admitted that the King George on a right-handed track is where Kauto Star could be vulnerable because of his preference for left-handed circuits.

The trainer said: "He just does enough to get himself out of trouble up the straight. He tends to lug a bit left-handed which is why Cheltenham suits him better and is his ultimate. I still think Kauto Star is the one they all have to beat."

Meanwhile, Exotic Dancer's trainer Jonjo O'Neill dismissed suggestions that all is not well with the inmates of his stable, winnerless during December.

His gelding has finished behind Kauto Star on all four occasions that they have met, finishing second to him three times.

The powerful O'Neill yard has had only 25 runners since its last win on November 31 and there have been rumours of coughing and sniffles in the yard.

O'Neill, confirming that Black Jack Ketchum's third in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot would probably be his last race at three miles, said: "The horses are running well enough. They are happy and fit. Exotic Dancer has never been wrong but he has never beaten Kauto either.

"The horse is in grand old form but I'm not sure if Kempton is his track."