Peter Niven could return to the big time aboard Brother Of Iris in Saturday's Racing Post Chase at Kempton.
Mary Reveley's Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hope was one of 20 horses confirmed for the #75,000 contest today and is currently set to carry 11st 2lb following the defection of the two horses at the top of the handicap, See More Business and Teeton Mill.
Niven has been out of action since breaking a bone in his neck in a fall at Sedgefield in December but is set to return to race-riding at Doncaster on Wednesday.
Reveley said today: "I haven't spoken to the owners yet but if Peter is fit enough I would have thought he would ride him.
"Brother Of Iris seems all right and he'd have a chance.
"The weights will have gone up a fair bit, I'd have been happier with 10-2 but I suppose we'll have to live with that."
Brother Of Iris, a 14-1 chance for the Gold Cup with Ladbrokes, has not raced since winning at Wetherby in December, having been withdrawn at the start of the Pertemps Great Yorkshire Chase last month.
Another horse who goes for the three-mile prize having missed the Doncaster contest is Marlborough, trained by Nicky Henderson.
Henderson said: "We've decided to go for the Racing Post Chase.
"Mick (Fitzgerald) always felt that in the Great Yorkshire they would go flat out all the way and that Kempton would suit him better."
The eight-year-old failed to complete the course on his first two starts this season but was ridden more patiently when scoring over course and distance last time.
"He jumped very well there last time and I think we're just happier riding him that way," Henderson added.
"The plan would be to drop him in and they'll go a good gallop."
The weights for the Racing Post will rise by 20lb following the withdrawal of See More Business and Teeton Mill, with the Alan King-trained Mulligan set to carry 11st 10lb.
He is due to give 2lb to leading novice chaser Gloria Victis, for whom trainer Martin Pipe is searching for a jockey following the suspension of Tony McCoy.
Other notable confirmations include Martell Grand National hope Red Marauder and 1998 Gold Cup runner-up Strong Promise.
The going at the Sunbury track is currently described as good, good to soft in places.
Coral: 7-2 Brother Of Iris, 4-1 Gloria Victis, 6-1 Red Marauder, 7-1 Marlborough, 10-1 Sir Dante, Wayward King, 14-1 Scotia Nostra, The Land Agent, Tremallt, 16-1 Bouchasson, 20-1 Bar. Ladbrokes: 7-2 Gloria Victis, 4-1 Brother Of Iris, 5-1 Red Marauder, 7-1 Marlborough, 10-1 Tremallt, 12-1 Luzcadou, Sir Dante, 14-1 Wayward King, 16-1 Bouchasson, Macgeorge, Scotia Nostra, Spendid, The Land Agent, 20-1 Bar. Tote: 7-2 Brother Of Iris, 9-2 Gloria Victis, 11-2 Red Marauder, 8-1 Marlborough, 11-1 Tremallt, 12-1 Luzcadou, Sir Dante, The Land Agent, 14-1 Wayward King, 16-1 Sounds Like Fun, Spendid, 20-1 Bar. William Hill: 4-1 Brother Of Iris, Gloria Victis, 6-1 Red Marauder, 13-2 Marlborough, 11-1 The Land Agent, 12-1 Sir Dante, Tremallt, 14-1 Luzcadou, Macgeorge, Scotia Nostra, Wayward King, 16-1 Spendid, 20-1 Bar.
