Johnson delighted with Trouble

Richard Johnson pronounced himself pleased with the progress of Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Looks Like Trouble after riding him in work this morning.

Johnson partnered the 10-year-old in a training spin as part of his preparations for another tilt at the Gold Cup, which he won in 2000.

Trainer Noel Chance is planning to send Looks Like Trouble straight to the Festival without another prep run and he missed possible engagements in the Aon Chase at Newbury and Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown over the weekend.

On his only run this season, Looks Like Trouble was the runaway winner of the John Bull Chase at Wincanton when ridden by Seamus Durack, and Johnson is impressed with the improvements in his condition.

He told the Racing Channel: 'It was very good. He did a piece of work this morning and that was the first time I sat on him since Ireland 18 months ago.

'He went very well and obviously he has come out of his race very well. I think looking back it probably was the right idea (not to give him another run) as he seems very well at home so we missed Newbury and go to the Gold Cup fresh and well.

'He felt very well. Noel told me before I rode him in Ireland, after the Gold Cup, that he`d improved and I found that hard to believe but he did feel very good in Ireland.

'This morning he banged up the gallop as he liked and seemed very happy so that`s the main thing. I couldn`t have been happier with him, he worked with a good bumper horse and they both went very well. All being well he`s a 110 per cent on the day.'

Trainer Noel Chance has been reluctant to school his charge over fences before the big race, but Johnson is not worried about his lack of jumping practice so far.

He added: 'He jumped very, very well at Wincanton and his jumping over the last few races hasn`t been a problem so there`s no point in asking for trouble. But if Noel wants to give him a pop then obviously I`d be delighted to see how he`s feeling but it wouldn`t be a worry in my mind if doesn`t have to have one.'

Looks Like Trouble is generally available at 4-1 to regain his Cheltenham crown.

Coral bet: 4-1 Looks Like Trouble, 6-1 Best Mate, Bacchanal, 10-1 Marlborough, Lord Noelie, Alexander Banquet, Shooting Light, 12-1 Behrajan, 16-1 Florida Pearl, 20-1 Rince Ri, Shotgun Willy, Foxchapel King, 25-1 Sackville, Legal Right, Cyfor Malta, 33-1 bar.

Tote: 4-1 Looks Like Trouble, 5-1 Bacchanal, 6-1 Best Mate, 7-1 Alexander Banquet, 8-1 Behrajan, 9-1 Shooting Light, 12-1 Lord Noelie, Marlborough, 14-1 Rince Ri, 16-1 Florida Pearl, 20-1 Cyfor Malta, Sackville, 25-1 Foxchapel King, Legal Right, Shotgun Willy, What`s Up Boys, 33-1 bar.

William Hill: 4-1 Looks Like Trouble, 6-1 Bacchanal, 13-2 Best Mate, 9-1 Behrajan, 11-1 Alexander Banquet, Marlborough, 12-1 Florida Pearl, Shooting Light, 14-1 Lord Noelie, 20-1 Sackville, 22-1 Rince Ri, 25-1 Cyfor Malta, Foxchapel King, Shotgun Willy, 33-1 bar.