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Richard Johnson: 'The Champion Hurdle is State Man’s to lose'

Former Champion Jockey Richard Johnson spoke exclusively to BoyleSports to offer his best tips for the championship races at the Cheltenham Festival this week, along with his view on how the British contingent will do in a week likely to be dominated by the Irish.

TipsChampion Hurdle:

RJ: “It is a shame that Constitution Hill is not there. So, it is the state's race to lose. You couldn’t make a case for anything else beating him unless he underperformed," said Johnson, speaking to Cheltenham Festival Odds.

“Pied Piper could be interesting. If it is a really fast-run race, there may be one or two ridden to run well, and I thought Pied Piper could be one of those. He likes it around Cheltenham and might be ridden to finish well.”

Champion Chase:

RJ: “I am a real Edwardstone fan. He won’t make the run because there are two or three frontrunners in the race. He will sit second or third and will run a very big race. If you ride him a bit more positively in a fast-run race, I think you’ll see the best of him.

“I think El Fabiolo had an easy time of it in the Arkle last year. Jonbon had one go at him. His jumping could be under a bit more pressure this year.”

Ryanair Chase:

RJ: “It is a very open contest. Capodanno, owned by J. P. McManus and trained by Willie Mullins, won the Cotswold Chase nicely. For me Envoi Allen at his best, would win. But he is getting older. He will go off as the favourite. Capodanno stays well and you want a horse you know can get up the hill well.”

Gold Cup:

RJ: “Galopin des Champs is certainly the one to beat. Considering the number of short-priced favourites Willie Mullins has, Galopin is one you can rely on. He has been there and done it. Others haven’t. I don’t think he is a bad price.

“I don’t think Galopin des Champs is a long way clear of the rest. The trip will suit L’Homme Presse well, as will any rain we get. L’Homme Presse could be the least exposed horse in the Gold Cup.”

Jockey Paul Townend celebrates his victory with horse Al Boum Photo in The Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase during the Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 15, 2019 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Which hot favourite will most likely get beaten?

RJ: “He might be very good, but Fact to File to me has not got that much experience. He won a two-runner race against Gaelic Warrior last time out, who obviously wasn’t right. He is very short, and Stay Away Fay has done more on the track and visually for me. Fact to File has only had a few runs over fences, uncompetitive races and when you take in the undulations of Cheltenham and the atmosphere, then, at odds on, he is too short.”

The best tip from the handicappers?

RJ: “Milan Tino was trained by Noel George in France in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle. He got ten pounds after finishing third at Cheltenham behind Sir Gino. His French form is very solid. He is a hardy type by Milan and has a National Hunt pedigree. The ground is going to be harder work than people think. Jonjo O’Neill is riding. He is definitely on the right side of the handicapper.”Will Willie Mullins get to 100 Cheltenham winners at this festival?

RJ: “Yes. He is on 94 wins at the moment. He is incredible. He should easily get six or more. The strength and depth of his horses at the moment are incredible. It is an unbelievable team he has got. He is an amazing trainer who sources the right horses, and we should be celebrating his genius rather than saying it’s boring to have him dominate. We are all playing catch-up with him. It is not England vs. Ireland; it is Willie versus the rest.

“A lot of people in sports who have been at the top, such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Roger Federer, for instance, have put in a lot of work. It didn’t just happen. The same for Willie.”

Will anyone better it?

RJ: “Gordon Elliott is only 46, and he has already trained 37 festival winners. He also has a huge team of horses, and I think he will have a very good Cheltenham. He has a lot of live chances, including the mare Brighterdaysahead in the Novices’ Hurdle, which he thinks is the best thing he has had for a long time.”

The Prestbury Cup:

RJ: “It has to be Ireland. If Willie was in it alone, he would win it. The Brits have had some decent chances, but not on the scale of the Irish. I think if Britain can get to double figures, they will have had a good festival.”

From your experience, which race is the hardest to ride in?

RJ: “The handicaps are the races with lots of runners and speed, and if you don’t travel, you are struggling. The County Hurdle and the Ultima are two extremely competitive races with a lot of hustle and bustle. You have the worry of making mistakes in front of you. You need a bit of luck when running. The bumper can also provide a few hairy moments just on the way to the start, let alone in the race.”

What is the atmosphere like in the weighing room at Cheltenham?

RJ: “You have definitely got extra tension. Everybody is excited but also slightly under pressure because this is where everybody wants to be—the biggest four days of the year. It is pressure, and you have to be on your game. If a yard has a good Cheltenham, it can be transformational; it can boost their ability to buy more horses and attract new owners. There is a lot of pressure on jockeys to get it right. There’s huge relief if you have a winner.”

J. P. McManus has just bought Meeting of the Waters, the favourite for the Ultima. What does that say about his chances?

RJ: “JP has such passion for the sport. Coming to Cheltenham is a huge deal every year. People would give their right arm to have a horse in with a chance. JP trying to find horses with a chance just before the festival shows how passionate he still is. He is wonderful to deal with for trainers and jockeys. Financially, he helps the sport massively. He is in the sport because he loves it, not just for the kudos. Whatever happens, he is a winner.”

The importance of royal patronage for the National Hunt?

RJ: “The Princess Royal and Zara’s passion for horses is known all over the world. For the historical prestige of our sport to have the Royal Family behind it, that is a huge positive. They come because they love it.

“It’s important to have Zara with whom younger people can identify. Having her promote the sport is so important. She has always loved Cheltenham and racing in general.”

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