Richard Johnson© Photo Healy Racing
Richard Johnson brought up a century of winners yet again in the Foundation Developments Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.
The universally-liked jockey, perennial runner-up to Tony McCoy in the championship, passed the 100-mark for the 17th time in a row through De La Bech (a former winner in Irish point-to-points for Tony Mullins), trained by his boss, Philip Hobbs.
The 3-1 favourite was quite heroic in atrocious conditions as he made every yard of the three miles and fought off final rival Okafranca by a length and a quarter.
"I've just been very fortunate to have the support of Philip and some other very good trainers," said the 35-year-old Johnson.
"Myself and Tom O'Brien have been holding this horse up this season but he has been too keen so we thought he should just bowl on.
"He's really a three-mile chaser but hopefully there's more to come over hurdles too."
