Richard Johnson returns to action on Wednesday after an enforced week on the sidelines, counting his blessings he has not missed the Welsh Grand National. Wales’s biggest race of the year should have been staged last Wednesday, when concussion would have prevented the champion jump jockey from being aboard the fancied Rock The Kasbah but bad weather delayed it until this Saturday.
“In a weird way, I’ve perhaps been slightly fortunate with the weather, that I haven’t missed more than I have,” Johnson said on Tuesday as he prepared to ease himself back into action with a couple of rides at Ludlow. The first of those, Look My Way, gives him an excellent chance of a winner on his comeback and was on offer at odds of 1-3 on Tuesday night.
Rock The Kasbah is the joint-favourite for the Welsh National with some firms. “Unfortunately, as it’s worked out now, he’s got a big weight,” Johnson said. “But he’s got the weight because he’s got the form in the book and he loves Chepstow. So, fingers crossed. It’s the race he’s had as his target all season and that’s why he hasn’t run since he won in October. Hopefully he’ll have conditions to suit him.”
Johnson was knocked out by a fall from Grey Gold at Wetherby on Boxing Day, at which point the pair seemed likely to be involved in the finish. British Horseracing Authority regulations meant Johnson was stood down for a week and would have to pass a neurological baseline test before being allowed to return.
Johnson was worried his period on the sidelines would be extended by the lack of anyone available to conduct the test during the holiday period. “But there’s a lady at Warwick who very kindly saw me on New Year’s Day and they got the results through this morning. I’m just looking forward to getting back and I’ve got two nice rides at Ludlow.”
As a result of his knock to the head, Johnson got to spend more than one day with his wife and children over Christmas for the first time that he can remember. While gratified about that, he still has a jockey’s desire to get back to the track and has a title to defend, with Harry Skelton closer to him than anyone usually is at this time of year, only 18 winners behind.
“It’s been frustrating on the days when there’s been racing,” Johnson said. “I was disappointed not to be at Cheltenham yesterday but it could have been worse. These things happen and at my age you realise that.
“Harry and Dan [Skelton] have had an amazing season and they don’t look like they’re going to be stopping any time soon, so it’s just very important to keep the ball rolling.
“I’ve got lots of trainers to ride for and Philip Hobbs has had a slightly quieter first half of the season than usual but hopefully that means we’ll have a busy second half. Fingers crossed the winners are there in waiting.”
Rich Ricci raised the possibility that Douvan may yet return to the track this season. Willie Mullins, who trains the classy two-mile chaser, said a fortnight ago that he wanted to take “a conservative approach” with such a high-quality animal and therefore planned to keep him out of action until the autumn.
However, Ricci, who owns the horse, said on TalkSport2: “I’m hoping we could get a run into him this season”. He described the situation as “a real head-scratcher. We’re still not entirely convinced we know what’s wrong with him because he’s absolutely fine. We are waiting for a final follow-up report from France to see what we need to do. At the moment he’s doing plenty of walking and we’ll have to see what happens.”
Southwell: 12.40 Shine Baby Shine, 1.10 Speciality, 1.40 Kommander Kirkup, 2.10 Jack The Truth, 2.40 The Great Wall, 3.10 Vivat Rex, 3.40 Princess Way.
Musselburgh: 1.00 Heartasia (nap), 1.30 Boy's On Tour, 2.00 Nendrum, 2.30 Randy Pike, 3.00 Mixboy, 3.30 Thepensionfund.
Ludlow: 1.20 Look My Way, 1.50 Indian Hawk, 2.20 Little Chunk, 2.50 Braventara, 3.20 Jack Snipe (nb), 3.50 Simonia.
Wolverhampton: 4.10 Oor Jock, 4.40 Three Majors, 5.10 Tavener, 5.40 Acrux, 6.10 That's So Cool, 6.40 KIng Kevin, 7.10 Romantic.
