Tony McCoy will ride Essex in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival.
The Michael O'Brien-trained gelding was partnered by Barry Geraghty when notching big-race wins in the Pierse Hurdle and totesport Gold Trophy this year.
But with Geraghty likely to be on Macs Joy in the Champion, McCoy has been offered the ride on the progressive five-year-old.
"It looks like at the moment that Tony McCoy is going to ride him," O'Brien said today.
"They've just called me this morning to say he was available. I had originally called him a couple of weeks ago, when it looked like he wasn't going to have a ride, and offered him the ride on Essex because I knew Barry wouldn't be getting off Macs Joy."
Assessing Essex's Champion Hurdle chances, O'Brien said: "It's very difficult to say but looking at the way he's going up in the handicap we didn't really have any other option.
"It just depends if he can make just a bit more improvement. I think he probably has to make 8lb or 10lb. He's improved with every run but can he step up again? That's the big question."
A total of 21 horses remain in the March 15th highlight after the latest forfeit stage headed by last year's winner Hardy Eustace.
Dessie Hughes' reigning title holder and Essex are two of a powerful nine-strong Irish contingent.
The first seven in the betting are all trained in the Emerald Isle, the others being Harchibald, Back In Front, Brave Inca, Macs Joy and Accordion Etoile.
The 14 horses withdrawn were Ansar, Big Moment, Cerium, Compton Bolter, Copeland, Foreman, Georges Girl, Ilnamar, Marcel, Perouse, Rigmarole, Sign Of The Wolf, Solerina, The French Furze.
PA