Champion trainer Martin Pipe has booked Richard Johnson to replace the suspended Tony McCoy on Gloria Victis in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday.
But the exciting chaser, winner of the Pertemps Feltham Novices' Chase over the curse and distance in December, looks set to carry 11st 10lb with current top weight Mulligan likely to miss the race.
Pipe has been looking for a new partner for Gloria Victis after McCoy picked up a two-day ban at Leicester last week and Johnson is free to take the ride as Spendid is set to bypass the Kempton feature.
Johnson said: "I ride Gloria Victis in the Racing Post. I'm delighted to take the ride.
"Spendid goes to Wincanton so it made me available and Mr Pipe was looking for someone with Tony being suspended.
"He looks a very good horse. It's going to be a step up for him in good handicap company but I'm sure Mr Pipe thinks he's up to it and hopefully he'll run very well."
The Alan King-trained Mulligan and Spendid both appear set to miss the Racing Post Chase in favour of the Jim Ford Challenge Cup at Wincanton on Thursday.
King said: "I think they both go to Wincanton.
"I just thought the Racing Post was too competitive, the weights have gone up and they're both near the top.
"Certainly I think Spendid will run at Wincanton, Mulligan will run provided there is not too much rain - they've got a spot forecast but I don't think too much - so that's the plan at the moment.
"Both horses are in good nick and once we get this week out of the way we can plan for the future."
On the betting front the Nicky Henderson-trained Marlborough has proved popular and his price has been clipped to 6-1 from 7-1 by Coral and Ladbrokes.
Brother Of Iris is now Ladbrokes' 7-2 joint-favourite for the race with Gloria Victis having been cut from 4-1.
Coral: 7-2 Brother Of Iris, 4-1 Gloria Victis, 6-1 Red Marauder, Marlborough, 10-1 Sir Dante, Wayward King, 12-1 The Land Agent, 14-1 Scotia Nostra, 16-1 Bouchasson, 20-1 Bar.
Ladbrokes: 7-2 Brother Of Iris, Gloria Victis, 5-1 Red Marauder, 6-1 Marlborough, 12-1 Sir Dante, 14-1 Luzcadou, The Land Agent, Wayward King, 16-1 Bouchasson, Macgeorge, Scotia Nostra, 20-1 Bar.
