Andrew Thornton will carry the final hopes of the Jenny Pitman in the Martell Grand National a week on Saturday.
He was yesterday handed the mount on Nahthen Lad, the trainer's last runner before retirement in the race which has made her famous.
Thornton, who won last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup on Cool Dawn, takes over from the unavailable Richard Dunwoody, who rode the gelding into third place in the William Hill National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
His mount is offered at 14 to 1 for Aintree by Ladbrokes and is sure to prove popular, given his trainer's record in a race she won with Corbiere in 1983 and Royal Athlete four years ago.
Thornton, who rode Nahthen Lad into fourth place in the Scottish equivalent at Ayr last year, said: "It's a nice sort of ride. I know a bit about him - we were only beaten about 10 lengths in last year's Scottish National.
"He won the SunAlliance, is the right age and has a touch of class, so he'd have to have a decent chance.
"I finished fourth last year on St Mellion Fairway - I had a great ride last year - so I know my way round a bit!"
Brendan Powell, successful on Rhyme 'N' Reason in 1988, has been snapped up by Philip Hobbs for Mudahim.
The trainer has also booked Rodney Farrant for last year's third, Samlee, and Glenn Tormey for Bells Life, and said: "They are all fine and it is very likely that all three will run."
Richard Rowe is waiting to confirm a rider for Frazer Island, brought down in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham last time out.
"I am hoping Richard Guest or Barry Fenton will be able to ride him," the trainer said.
"Richard rode him to finish fourth in the John Hughes last season and Barry has ridden him on park courses this season.
"He was running a good race at Cheltenham and I suppose the good thing with him coming down at halfway is he didn't have the chance to have a hard race!
"He looks well and he seems to come right in the spring."
Tom Jenks, who missed the winning ride on Earth Summit last year due to injury and has been replaced in the saddle by Carl Llewellyn, will team up with the Ginger McCain-trained outsider Commercial Artist.
Kim Bailey yesterday warned Grand National punters to hold their bets on his possible contender Betty's Boy.
The trainer reports the horse in good shape but is worried that the ground at Aintree will be unsuitable.
"Betty's Boy wants good ground and if it was soft he wouldn't run. I would advise anyone thinking about betting on him to wait until the last minute," he said.
"Betty's Boy is a bit of thinker but the race could suit him. He's a horse that doesn't need a lot of work and he's been swimming in Oliver Sherwood's pool."
National betting: William Hill: 7-2 Double Thriller, 8-1 Addington Boy, Call It A Day, Eudipe, 12-1 Fiddling The Facts, 14-1 General Wolfe, Suny Bay, 16-1 Earth Summit, Nahthen Lad, 20-1 Belmont King, 25-1 Baronet, Coome Hill (from 33's), 33-1 Betty's Boy, Bobbyjo, Kendal Cavalier, Senor El Betrutti, 40-1 bar.
