Joe Tuite has snapped up George Baker to ride Litigant in the William Hill November Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday after Oisin Murphy was claimed by Qatar Racing for ante-post favourite Argus.
Tuite is delighted to have Baker on board, with the jockey having ridden Litigant earlier in the horse's career, including when successful in the All-Weather Marathon Championships at Lingfield in April 2014.
In all, Baker steered Litigant to three victories and one second place in four races when the ex-French gelding was with Seamus Durack.
Murphy has been in the plate for Litigant's two starts since joining Tuite and had the best possible start when winning the Betfred Ebor at York in August when the seven-year-old gelding returned after a 16-month absence.
After being a late withdrawal from the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp because the ground was too quick, Litigant had no luck in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot last month.
"We've got a jockey change. Oisin has to ride for his retainer, the Qatar people, so George Baker is back on him. He knows him well. George is more than happy to go there," said the Lambourn trainer.
"The ground won't bother me, so we'll see. The track will suit him as well."
Trainer Jim Goldie is hoping Mistiroc can go one better than on his previous run on Town Moor when he was just touched off by Argus.
He made a brave effort to make all the running over the course and distance last month but was collared close home after becoming unbalanced in the closing stages.
"The three-year-old that beat us is a progressive horse," said the Glasgow handler.
"It should be similar ground to what it was last time and he's in good form."
While Argus heads the market at 6-1 with the sponsors, Zand was the horse in demand on Wednesday, with Mark Johnson's charge halved in price to 12-1 from 25-1 due to rain being forecast.
Betfred spokesman Andrew Griffiths said: "The unsettled forecast has triggered a big move for Zand. He's shown very little since joining Mark Johnston but the money suggests we could see a different horse on Saturday."
