Richard Johnson vows to reclaim crown from champion jockey Brian Hughes

Johnson, 42, says he has no intention of retiring after an injury-hit season saw him lose out to Hughes before the 2019-20 season came to a premature end.

Only the now retired Sir AP McCoy has ridden more winners than Johnson, who had won four successive championships and was involved in a protracted struggle with Hughes before breaking his arm in a fall at Exeter in January.

By the time he returned to the saddle, he was 19 winners adrift and the NH season effectively ended at Wetherby on March 17 when the sport went into its Covid-19 shutdown.

With the current campaign officially ending at the end of this month, and the new season not beginning until July 1 at the earliest, Johnson is looking forward to the sport’s resumption.

“Things haven’t quite gone smoothly this year, but I’ve been very fortunate actually for a long time that I haven’t had many bad runs,” said the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider, who won the blue riband race on Looks Like Trouble in 2000 and, more recently, Native River in 2018.

“The second half of the season didn’t go quite as we’d hoped, but for everyone now it’s been a very poor year.

“It’s one of those things, we’re looking forward to getting going at some point and, fingers crossed, I’ll be doing everything to try to regain the championship and go from there, but it’s just one of those things, we’ve got to get through the next few months hopefully and get going again.

“I’ve got lots to look forward to with all my different yards next season, with lots of horses coming through and also the nice ones we’ve already got – the likes of Thyme Hill and Brewin’upastorm.

“I’m in a very fortunate position and hopefully we can look forward to next season and 2021 in a bit more positive light.

“I’m just looking forward to getting past all this and looking forward to the new season, but the most important thing at the moment is obviously the health of the nation and the world. We all understand that, it’s a hard time for everyone in the world.

“We’re all in the same boat and we’ve just got to try to look forward and get through it as best we can.”

Johnson has nothing but praise for Hughes and just wishes he could have experienced the traditional crowning of champions on the final day of the season at Sandown.

He said: “Brian is a deserved champion this year – he deserves all the accolades. I just think for him personally the day at Sandown would have been very special.

“I’ve been lucky to have enjoyed that the last four years and for him and his family, it’s sad that he doesn’t get to do that.

“I’m sure there will be a presentation at some point in the future, but that day at Sandown is a special day. It’s a shame he won’t be able to do that, but at the same time it won’t take from being champion jockey either.”

Harrogate-born James Tate expects Under The Stars to take a step up to a mile in her stride when she gets her chance in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The Newmarket-based trainer reports Under The Stars to be in top form and to have strengthened up over the winter.

With her sire – 2014 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder – and dam Jumeirah Palm Star both victorious over a mile, Tate believes the Saeed Manana-owned filly is well equipped to see out the new trip.

He said: “Under The Stars is waiting for the 1000 Guineas, whenever that is going to be.

“The filly has strengthened during the winter and is in great form. She is jumping around and her coat looks fantastic.

“I think she will run well in the Guineas, as she has that great cruising speed and travels well and, therefore, the mile should be no problem.”