Johnson beats bout of flu to bag Valentine's Day double

Champion jump jockey Richard Johnson showed he had put a bout of flu behind him quickly with a Valentine's Day double at Fontwell.
Bound Hill on the way to winning at Fontwell yesterday. Picture: Clive BennettBound Hill on the way to winning at Fontwell yesterday. Picture: Clive Bennett
Bound Hill on the way to winning at Fontwell yesterday. Picture: Clive Bennett

Johnson was laid low at Newbury on Saturday and did not ride on Sunday and Monday, but he was well enough to return at Fontwell’s Tuesday card – and he must have loved every minute.

He twice teamed up with trainer Philip Hobbs to prove his illness has taken away none of his competitive edge.

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First Johnson won the Porto Racing Specialist Horse Racing Saddlery Novices’ Hurdle on 1/2 favourite Kayf Adventure, then followed it up in the European Breeders Fund “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle on 4/7 Casper King.

Elsewhere the Fiona Shaw-trained Bound Hill (4/1) claimed the SeanieMac Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle and Paddy Brennan steered Goring One (9/2) first home in the SeanieMac Casino Free £100 Matched Bet Handicap Chase. Two other favourites, The Geegeez Geegee (2/1) and Chez Castel Mail (6/5) won as well.

Next up at Fontwell is the National Spirit Hurdle raceday on Sunday, February 26 – see next week’s Observer for a full preview.

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