Tag Archive for: Richard Johnson

Johnson hails ‘great role model’ as Scudamore bows out

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Former champion jockey and weighing-room colleague Richard Johnson has led the tributes to Tom Scudamore following the announcement of his immediate retirement.

Scudamore partnered over 1,500 winners, taking him into the top 10 most successful National Hunt jockeys of all time, a list in which Johnson also proudly sits.

While Scudamore never managed to emulate his father, Peter, and be crowned champion, he spent most of his career up against the record-breaking Sir Anthony McCoy.

“Tom is a great fella and was always brilliant to ride against and sit next to in the weighing room, so I’m surprised but at the same time he’s had a fantastic career and I’m not shocked he’s decided this is the right time for him,” said Johnson.

Richard Johnson (right) with Sir Anthony McCoy
Richard Johnson (right) with Sir Anthony McCoy (David Davies/PA)

“It was the same with me. In your own head if you are happy, that’s the right time.

“He’s been a brilliant jockey but even better than that, he’s a great role model for the young jockeys coming through. He has conducted himself brilliantly over the last 20 years and he’s got a lot to be proud of.

“He’s had a very consistent career, obviously he’s had a great association with the Pipes, he was great to deal with and easy to get on with which is important.

“I’m a little bit surprised, but delighted he’s gone out on his own terms. He’s got children and I can assure him he won’t be bored because with children you are busier after you retire!

“As a jockey you are always looking for good horses. He had plenty but then Thistlecrack came along and he was his main horse and the one people will associate with him winning the King George and those types of races.

“When people were looking for a jockey if their normal jockey was injured, Tom was always one of the names to be sought after so he’s got a lot to be proud of.”

Peter Scudamore (left), Tom's father, was a former champion jockey
Peter Scudamore (left), Tom’s father, was a former champion jockey (Mike Egerton/PA)

Peter Scudamore, a multiple champion jockey himself, knew the day was coming but admitted to still feeling a little “numb”.

“It’s mixed emotions. We’ve been very close throughout all his riding career. Most days we spoke,” he said.

“There is an element of surprise, but at the same time there is a feeling of relief. He’s 40 years of age, so I suppose it was inevitable one day.

“I wasn’t shocked, but a little numb I suppose I would say.

“I had lots of records in my career but I think he’s got more than that, he’s got huge respect within the industry and perhaps I should have taken a leaf out of his book!

“The one day that always sticks out in my career is Next Sensation in the Grand Annual, trained by his brother, Michael.

“I was stood with Luce (Lucinda Russell) in the stand by the second-last so we could just see the last fence. On the first circuit the horse made a terrible mistake and he went down and I thought it was all over, but he came back up again.

“It was AP’s (McCoy) final ride at the Festival, it was a very emotional race, my dad had won it and I’d won it too so that was very special.

“I might have ridden more winners than Tom, but in Thistlecrack he rode a horse probably better than I ever came across. Some may say Carvills Hill, but Thistlecrack achieved more on the track.

“He’s made me very proud.”

Thistlecrack was imperious when winning the King George in 2016
Thistlecrack was imperious when winning the King George in 2016 (Julian Herbert/PA)

Scudamore did not ride many for Colin Tizzard but after winning the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Thistlecrack, it was a partnership that was never broken.

Tizzard concentrated on Scudamore’s achievements out of the saddle and simply said: “He was a credit to the industry.

“Everyone else can say whatever they want about him as a jockey, I’ll leave that to them, but he was a credit to the industry.”

Scudamore was linked to the Pond House stables of Martin and then David Pipe throughout his career and the latter tweeted: “Happy retirement @tommyscu!!

“Thank you for your support, dedication, hard work & talent in the saddle for all these years! We have made a great team and share some wonderful memories & fantastic winners. I’m glad you’re going on your own terms and wish you well for the future.”

‘He has always been a fantastic trainer’ – Johnson full of praise for long-standing ally Hobbs

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Former champion jockey Richard Johnson paid tribute to Philip Hobbs after Zanza gave the Minehead trainer his 3,000th winner when taking the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.

Johnson spent over two decades with Hobbs, partnering the likes of Rooster Booster to success in the Champion Hurdle, Flagship Uberalles in the Champion Chase and Captain Chris in the Arkle.

“It is a huge achievement – 3,000 winners is a huge amount, whichever way you look at it,” said Johnson.

“I don’t know how many have done it before, but there can’t have been too many.

“Philip’s consistency was always the thing when I was riding. I know he has had a couple of quiet years, but he was always sending out winners week-in week-out, throughout the year.

“For me, trying to be champion jockey, having the support of someone like him was always amazing.

“He has always been a fantastic trainer, whether it was at Newton Abbot in the winter or at Cheltenham in March.”

Hobbs was an accomplished rider himself, partnering 160 winners in a 10-year career, landing races like The Black and White Gold Cup at Ascot, the Killiney Novice Chase and Midlands Grand National on such good horses as West Tip and Artifice.

He started training in August 1985 with only six horses and quickly established himself as one of the country’s leading jumps trainers.

His first major success came with Bonanza Boy’s Challow Novices’ Hurdle win in 1987, while Kibreet gave the 67-year-old the first of his 19 Cheltenham Festival winners when taking the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase in 1996.

Hobbs and Flagship Uberalles at his Sandhill Stables
Hobbs and Flagship Uberalles at his Sandhill Stables (David Davies/PA)

“His record speaks for itself,” added Johnson. “He was a fantastic man to deal with and it’s huge congratulations to him. It is testament to what he has achieved and there will be plenty more winners ahead.”

Hobbs is not one to court publicity. Though considered and courteous, he does not take fools gladly.

Yet Johnson insists his measured approach is a strength that has endeared him to those who work for him.

“As a jockey, dealing with him was one of the nicest parts of the job, as he never got over-excited but he never got overly depressed, either,” added the four-time champion.

Captain Chris and Richard Johnson (left) took the 2011 Arkle for Hobbs
Captain Chris and Richard Johnson (left) took the 2011 Arkle for Hobbs (David Jones/PA)

“Obviously he was disappointed when they didn’t run well, but he was always very level.

“He was a brilliant man to work for and a thorough professional.

“Whatever he said to you was always spot on. He reads his horses very well and no matter what a horse’s ability was, he trained them with that in mind and got the best out of them, which is not easy to do.

“It is a team effort. All the way through, from Johnson White, who has been his assistant for almost forever.

“He has obviously had lots of good staff and people through his hands over the years, so it is a big team effort. Sarah, his wife, has also always been key part of the team as well.”

Stat of the Day, 28th December 2019

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Friday's pick was...

5.10 Wolverhampton : Classic Design @ 4/1 BOG 6th at 7/2 (Went right start, soon tracked leader, led narrowly over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra)

Saturday's pick runs in the...

3.35 Newbury :

Before I post the daily selection, just a quick reminder of how I operate the service. Generally, I'll identify and share the selection in the evening before the following day's race and I then add a detailed write-up later on that night/next morning.

Those happy to take the early price on trust can do so, whilst some might prefer to wait for my reasoning. As I fit the early service in around my family life, I can't give an exact timing on the posts, so I suggest you follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook for instant notifications of a published pick.

Who?

Tidal Flow @ 7/2 BOG

...in an 11-runner, Class 3, Novices Handicap Chase for 4yo+ over 2m7f on soft ground worth £7,018 to the winner...

Why?...

This 6 yr old gelding is 4 from 9 so far and got off the mark (at just the second time of asking) over fences last time out when winning by a mere 21 lengths eighteen days ago. That was over 2m4f on heavy ground at Uttoxeter and whilst this is 3f further for his handicap debut, the ground will ride slightly easier today, plus he has stayed 3m over hurdles on soft ground, whilst Richard Johnson retains the ride today.

Our race card icons (C5) suggest that both the aforementioned jockey and the trainer, Philip Hobbs have decent records on this track, so I'll take that as read and whilst keeping today's explanation fairly simple, I'll explore two other angles briefly for you.

Firstly, people of a certain age might remember "...it's Friday, it's five to five, it's Crackerjack...". Well along those lines: "...it's Saturday, it's a handicap and it's Hobbs & Johnson!"

Basically, this trainer/jockey combo are 46 from 288 (16% SR) for 16.4pts (+5.7% ROI) backed blindly in handicaps on Saturdays over the last six years. A good strike rate that's blindly profitable is always a decent starting point for a way in and of interest from those 288 runners, we have...

  • 44/242 (18.2%) for 27.1pts (+11.2%) at odds of Evens to 10/1
  • 30/170 (17.7%) for 32.3pts (+19%) over fences
  • 24/105 (22.9%) for 58.4pts (+55.6%) from November to January
  • and 15/68 (22.1%) for 12.7pts (+18.6%) at Class 3...

...whilst chasers sent off at Evens to 10/1 during November to January are 17/53 (32.1% SR) for 66.2pts (+124.9% ROI), including 5/14 935.7%) for 19.6pts (+139.8%) at Class 3.

Secondly, as our pick is making a handicap bow, it's worth noting that Philip Hobbs is having a good year with such runners, as his handicap debutants are 8 from 20 (40% SR) for 14.56pts (+72.8% ROI) in 2019 and these include...

  • 5/14 (35.7%) for 8.6pts (+61.5%) from LTO winners
  • 5/10 (50%) for 12.4pts (+124%) in fields of 10-13 runners
  • 5/7 (71.4%) for 16.5pts (+235.5%) from 6 yr olds
  • and 3/8 (37.5%) for 3.8pts (+42.1%) with Richard Johnson in the saddle...

...whilst 6 yr old LTO winners in fields of 10-13 runners are 2/3 (66.6% SR) for 6.3pts (+210% ROI)...

...giving us...a 1pt win bet on Tidal Flow @ 7/2 BOG as was widely available at 4.50pm on Friday, although I'm on with Hills (non-BOG until raceday) at 4/1. To see what your preferred bookie is quoting...

...click here for the betting on the 3.35 Newbury

Don't forget, we offer a full interactive racecard service every day!

REMINDER: THERE IS NO STAT OF THE DAY ON SUNDAYS

Here is today's racecard

P.S. all P/L returns quoted in the stats above are to Betfair SP, as I NEVER bet to ISP and neither should you. I always use BOG bookies for SotD, wherever possible, but I use BFSP for the stats as it is the nearest approximation I can give, so I actually expect to beat the returns I use to support my picks. If that's unclear, please ask!