Richard Johnson Backs Paul Nicholls to Bounce Back
Despite several high-profile owners departing Ditcheat, four-time British Champion Jockey Richard Johnson insists it would be foolish to doubt 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls as he chases down Martin Pipe’s all-time British winners record.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Johnson pointed out that cyclical ups and downs are part of elite racing—and compared Nicholls’ current rebuilding phase to Nicky Henderson’s recent resurgence.
“I’m sure it is frustrating for him,” Johnson said. “He’s done amazingly well and is close to Martin Pipe’s all-time record of British winners. He still has a lot of years ahead of him. But that’s the nature of being a trainer or jockey; you go through ups and downs. He’s a brilliant trainer, and nothing has changed at his yard. It’s just a case of finding new owners. It’s hard to compete when you haven’t got the spending power for the expensive horses coming from Ireland and France, but you would never write off Paul Nicholls.”
Johnson also noted the delicate balancing act required when managing a powerhouse stable loaded with star owners—something rivals Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins navigate in their own ways.
“He still has a lovely bunch of horses,” Johnson added. “Managing a massive yard with lots of big egos is a challenge in itself, as Dan Skelton is finding out. Willie Mullins is about the only man who has managed to run four horses for different owners in the same race and keep everyone happy! Nicky Henderson had a few quieter years before bouncing back, so I definitely wouldn’t write Paul Nicholls off.”
Dry Ground Frustrations and BHA Handicap Rules
Beyond stable politics, trainers across Britain have been battling unusually firm autumn ground following a scorching summer, delaying the seasonal debuts of top novice chasers. Johnson warned that the BHA’s requirement for novices to have four runs before entering Cheltenham Festival handicaps could create major headaches this winter.
“We’ve had an amazing but very hot summer, but it means it is a frustrating time for National Hunt racing,” Johnson explained. “Trainers are frustrated because you’re not going to risk nice younger winter horses on good, fast ground. You really want good-to-soft. One concern a trainer mentioned is that to run in the handicaps at Cheltenham, novices now need four runs. We’re getting to a point where horses are going to struggle to get that many races in before the Festival, which might make the handicaps even more open this year.”
When asked if the BHA should consider a temporary rule concession, Johnson urged regulators to evolve alongside modern training patterns: “I think you need to keep looking at your rules and conditions all the time. Times have changed. People used to run their horses every two weeks. Now trainers definitely run their horses less and try to pinpoint bigger races for them.”
Three Rising Young Jockeys Catching Johnson’s Eye
In the weighing room, Johnson highlighted three young riders—including two seven-pound claimers—who can provide massive value in big winter handicaps, alongside in-form riders like Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
“There’s some good young talent coming through,” Johnson said. “Jack Stenhouse, who I’ve seen quite a bit at the Hobbs yard, has just turned conditional. He’s been an amateur for two or three years and has a lot of point-to-point experience. He claims seven pounds and rode a winner for Philip at Ffos Las recently. In big handicaps, he’s going to be very good value for that claim.
“Lucas Murphy, Timmy Murphy’s son, is another. He’s still at school doing his A-levels but gave a Paul Nicholls horse a very nice ride to win at Ascot on Saturday. Seven pounds is half a stone, which makes a big difference in a massive handicap. Up north, there’s Danny McMenamin. He’s a fully-fledged professional now, but he’s a very good young jockey who I think will be used more and more by bigger stables down south as well.”
