Johnson looking forward to Chepstow weekend

CHAMPION jockey Richard Johnson can’t wait for Chepstow Racecourse’s Jump Season Opener at the weekend.

Johnson, who has won the title for the past three years, has had an early-season battle with Harry Skelton at the top of the 2018/19 table, but is in superb winning form ahead of the two days of top action at the Monmouthshire track.

“I called in at Chepstow to look at the track on my way to Fontwell and it looked really good despite the recent lack of rain and there was a good covering of grass,” said Johnson.

“Libby (O’Flaherty), the clerk of the course and her team are putting plenty of water on and they are aiming for good ground at the weekend.

“It might not suit the real winter horses, but there will be lots of better ground horses looking for a run and this is backed up by the fact there have been so many entries across the two days.

Johnson, who has ridden at least 100 winners every campaign since 1997, added: “Philip Hobbs has entered plenty of horses at the meeting, and Rock the Kasbah goes particularly well at Chepstow.

“This will be his fourth year at this meeting, three years ago he finished second in the Silver Trophy, the following year he won the Robert Mottram Memorial Novice Chase and last year he won a staying handicap chase. He goes for the same race again this year, and all being well and with decent ground, he could be a Coral Welsh National horse in a couple of months’ time.”

Saturday’s feature race is the £50,000 Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle and it is Oktoberfest day. There are seven races on the card, starting at 1.55pm and gates open at 11.55am. There is a marquee featuring The Bavarian Strollers, the UK’s premier Bavarian Oompah band who will be live between races and a DJ after racing until 6.30pm.

Sunday will be Food & Countryside Race Day with plenty of familybased activities and the feature race the Grade Two, Persian War Novices’ Hurdle.

Ticket sales have been going well, to find out details and prices go to Chepstow’s website. Under-18s go free and car parking is also free.