Neil King has revealed that Richard Johnson will be on board Lil Rockerfeller for Thursday‘s Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown.
The six-year-old, who was second to Nichols Canyon in the Stayers’ Hurdle at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, was expected to be ridden by usual rider Trevor Whelan.
However, Whelan, who has ridden him in 11 of his last 12 outings, recently injured himself while out on his bike and has failed a fitness test.
That has opened the door for Johnson to take the ride and King admits that despite his disappointment over his trusted man’s absence, he is fortunate to have such an able deputy to fill the void in the shape of the reigning champion jockey.
“The only disappointment is that Trevor doesn’t ride. He had his fitness work on Sunday morning. Unfortunately he hit a kerb and came off his bike,” said King.
“He has fractured his collarbone and put his shoulder out so the only good news is that we’ve got a decent substitute in Richard Johnson.”
