Johnson Wants Good Ground

Jockey Richard Johnson is hoping for a dry build-up to next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

Johnson will get the leg-up on Monkerhostin, who is second-favourite the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, and believes the nine-year-old holds a better chance on good ground.

Philip Hobbs’ charge was last seen narrowly failing to reel in last year’s champion Kicking King in the King George VI Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day, and Johnson insists the ground is a more important factor than the extended Gold Cup trip.

“He’s very well at the moment,” said Johnson.

“I worked him yesterday morning and just popped him over a few fences and he’s in very good form.

“Everything points to him and he goes very well fresh — hopefully the rain will stay away.

“Good ground suits him best. He’s definitely a better horse on good ground.

“I don’t think the trip is going to be any problem at all. For me, on good ground, he stays very well so we are just hoping that the rain stays away,” the jockey told At The Races.

? PA Sport