Jockey Ben Curtis says it is a proud day after he was booked to ride Highland Chief in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.
Regular jockey Rossa Ryan was set to be replaced by Andrea Atzeni, but the latter has now been booked to ride Mohican Heights for David Simcock.
Trainers Paul and Oliver Cole have now turned to Curtis for the general 16/1 chance, with English King leading the antepost market.
Highland Chief won the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot earlier this month, and Curtis says he cannot wait to team up with the three-year-old for the first time.
He told the Racing Post: “It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s my first ride in the Derby and every jockey has an ambition to win it. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I thought Highland Chief was impressive at Royal Ascot. He looked like he had a lot to do up the straight, so I think he showed a bit of class to get himself into a challenging position and then go on and win it. He definitely looks like a horse who’s going the right way.”
