Johnson Thinking of success at Aintree

Richard Johnson expects big things from Wishfull Thinking when he takes aim at back-to-back victories in the Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase at Aintree tomorrow.

The 12-year-old has made 10 previous trips to the Merseyside circuit, finishing first or second on half of those outings, and claimed top honours by 14 lengths a year ago.

Although Wishfull Thinking finished last term in disappointing fashion - he was pulled up in the King George and the Gold Cup before being tailed off in the Melling Chase at Aintree - Johnson is hoping his old adversary has been freshened up by a summer break.

"I'm really excited about Wishfull Thinking's reappearance in the Old Roan Chase," the jockey wrote in his blog.

"He may be a 12-year-old now, but he honestly still thinks he's a four-year-old. I sat on him last week and he was bouncing alongside Captain Chris.

"He's top weight again on Sunday, but races from the same mark of 162 and, although this will again require a career-best performance, I'm confident he's in good form and will put up a bold show."

Nicky Richards has good reason to target this event, now named in honour of his former stable star Monet's Garden, and he sends the well-fancied Duke Of Navan down from Cumbria.

The Greystoke handler said: "The horse is in grand form and is ready for his first run.

"He's a horse that runs well fresh. I'm sure he'll come on for the run a touch as well as he's a big lad, but I'm happy with where we are with him.

"I'd just like a bit of nice ground, really.

"There doesn't seem to be an awful lot of rain about, but hopefully they'll produce some nice ground."

Brave Spartacus has already paid his way this season by picking up the valuable Betfred Summer Plate at Market Rasen.

Keith Reveley expects the nine-year-old ready to run another big race after recovering from a slight setback.

The trainer said: "He's had a great year, having also won at Catterick and Newcastle earlier on, and he deserves to take this step up in class.

"He just made one mistake over hurdles at Southwell last month and returned home with a bruised joint which stopped us from going back to Market Rasen, which was his main target.

"But, as he's a stuffy horse, we gave him a blow-out on the Flat at Ripon, where we thought he couldn't do himself any damage, and I felt he ran quite well, so he now goes to Aintree in great form and we're looking forward to it."