County Clare trainer John Hassett may need to find a new jockey for his gambled-on representative in Saturday's Tote Gold Trophy.
Back On Top, a son of Bob Back in the ownership of Sue Magnier, is 8-1 from 25-1 with Coral and 12-1 from 20-1 at William Hill and Ladbrokes for the Newbury race after strong early support this morning.
The horse is no stranger to landing a gamble, having been backed into 9-4 from 10-1 when scoring at Cork last April.
He went on to to complete a hat-trick of wins over hurdles when scoring at Punchestown and Killarney where he took the Grade Three Muprhy's Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle.
But Back On Top has been off the course since unplaced in a 10-furlong handicap on the Flat at Cork last June.
His trainer John Hassett said: "I have had the race in mind since the first entry stage and the horse is well.
"I suppose I would have liked to have a got a race into him but I don't think it will be a problem.
"He has never run in a race of this class before but I don't think the fast ground will be a problem - he should be all right on anything.
"I hope Norman Williamson will be able to ride him."
However, not for the first time the Irishman's talents in the saddle are in demand from more than one party as he has also been linked with the ride on the Venetia Williams-trained Crocadee.
Mark Gichero, from Crocadee's owners The Winning Line, said: "The horse is an intended runner, Norman has been offered the ride and we hope he'll take it."
Williamson has ridden Crocadee on both of his last two starts.
Others to attract support in the betting today were Mr Lamb (3-1 from 7-2 with William Hill) and Doctor Goddard (9-1 from 14-1 at Ladbrokes).
