Richard Johnson has picked up the plum spare ride aboard Looks Like Trouble in next week's Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.
But the jockey had to endure a scare at Wincanton today where he had to give up the remainder of his rides after a heavy fall in the opener.
Trainer Noel Chance has been looking for a new rider for Looks Like Trouble ever since Norman Williamson was "jocked-off" last month.
After first-choice Tony McCoy became unavailable when his mount Gloria Victis entered the Gold Cup picture many riders have been rumoured to be "in the frame", including Jason Titley and Tony Dobbin.
Johnson had initially been thought to be committed to Spendid in the big race a week today but that horse is set to be rerouted to next Tuesday's William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase.
Chance said today: "Johnson has ridden for me before and he won the Reynoldstown Chase for me on Mr Mulligan who went on to win a Gold Cup.
"As far as I'm aware Spendid who was Johnson's mount in next week's race, goes for another race. Anyway Johnson has been confirmed as jockey on Looks Like Trouble.
"Of course I was disappointed at not being able to obtain the services of Tony McCoy but that's racing.
"Looks Like Trouble is in good form at the moment and I'm very happy with him."
Johnson, who is lying second to Tony McCoy in the jockeys' championship with 121 winners, suffered his pre-Cheltenham fright when Sir Oliver came to grief in division one of the Seavington Maiden Hurdle.
He gave up his remaining rides but expects to return at Hereford.
The jockey said: "I've got a sore right shoulder but I'll be fine to ride tomorrow."
The 22-year-old has picked up a number of winning spare rides in big races this season including Nordance Prince in the First National Bank Gold Cup at Ascot, Legal Right in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham and Gloria Victis in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.
"I'm delighted to get the ride, hopefully he's got a great chance," Johnson said of Looks Like Trouble.
"Obviously he's a good horse and he's improving. He's done nothing wrong and I'm hoping for a good ride at Cheltenham."
Johnson is unsure whether he will get the chance to sit on the eight-year-old before the Gold Cup.
"I don't know yet, I'll speak to Mr Chance and see what happens," he added.
Spendid's trainer Alan King confirmed the change of plan.
"He probably run in the race on Tuesday, because he has got a better chance, although it will depend on the ground," he said.
"Go Ballistic will run in the Gold Cup. I am very happy with him and Tony Dobbin will ride him."
Looks Like Trouble is a 5-1 chance for the Gold Cup with Ladbrokes and William Hill.
