Richard Johnson: I've got plenty of chances at Chepstow over the next few days
In the first of his twice weekly exclusive column, the National Hunt jockey and Betway ambassador previews his 11 booked rides
I’m delighted to have teamed up with Betway and look forward to sharing my thoughts on my weekend rides with you every Friday.
We’re getting to the time of year when the good horses are starting to reappear and I’ve got plenty of chances at Chepstow over the next few days.
Saturday
I ride Brise Vendeenne in the mares’ novices’ hurdle (2.45pm).
We’ll know a lot more about her after the race as she’s having her first run for the Hobbs stable.
She seems a nice type and would hopefully have an each-way chance. That said, Peter Bowen’s Aintree Bumper winner Hollies Pearl may take some catching.
Rock The Kasbah is a horse I really liked last year and he lines up in the ultra-competitive looking Silver Trophy (4.30pm) from the right end of the handicap.
He hasn’t been seen since I pulled up on him at Ayr in April, but that came at the end of a busy novice campaign. He looks like he could make up into a lovely staying chaser in the future.
Until then, he’s still open to improvement over hurdles and must have a serious live chance on Saturday.
Finally, Sausalito Sunrise reappears in the wide-open looking handicap chase at 5.05pm. He’s an exciting chaser who we’ve always held in high regard.
He’s also had plenty of time to recover from his fall in last year’s Feltham. Kempton’s sharp track didn’t really suit him that day and he’ll be much happier returning to Chepstow (where he is 2/2!).
Sunday
I kick-off a busy day aboard Sky Lino who is making his debut for in-form Nick Williams. Nick usually does well with his juvenile hurdlers.
It’s hard to be confident on debut, but one thing for sure is that he will improve on whatever he does on Sunday.
Plenty of potentially exciting novices make their chasing debuts in the 2.45pm including Rebecca Curtis’ Beast Of Burden who was impressive over the smaller obstacles on a number of occasions last season.
My mount Cloudy Copper has had two runs over the bigger obstacles already so certainly has experience on his side and should go well.
I’m reunited with Cool Sky in the 3.20pm having won twice on Ian Williams’ six-year-old last season.
He’ll certainly be fit as a fiddle from a busy campaign on the flat, but there is just a worry he may be in the hands of the handicapper now.
Filbert's owners certainly won’t mind me describing him as a bit of a 'character'.
He takes his chance in the 3.55pm and it all honestly depends on which side of bed he gets out of! He has to get into a nice rhythm and has got plenty of talent on a going day.
There are only six runners in the Persian War (4.30pm) and I’m set to sit on Cardinal Place for the first time.
He travels over from Ireland with good consistent form in the book and I’m looking forward to riding him.
Looking at the others, I’ve a sneaky feeling that Evan Williams’ Roadie Joe looks the one to beat as he is race fit and in the form of his life.
It’s hard to be confident about Alfie Spinner winning the Veterans Chase (5.00pm) as he hasn’t won since December 2011.
That said, he’s ultra-consistent and hardly ever runs a bad race so should give each-way backers a run for their money.
I ride Above Board for Jonjo O’Neill in the first division of the bumper (5.30pm). He seemed a nice type when I sat on him the other day and appears to tick all the boxes.
Finally, my eighth and final ride on a marathon day is Debece for Tim Vaughan in the second division of the bumper (6.00pm).
He looks to hold solid claims on the back of a pleasing debut at Uttoxeter back in May.
