Richard Johnson: 'Constitution Hill is the one that can break Irish dominance'

Four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson is hoping Constitution Hill can lead a British renaissance against Irish dominance over jumps this season.

The Champion Hurdle favourite kicked off last season's Cheltenham Festival with a 22-length rout in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but Irish-trained horses ultimately dominated the meeting, winning 18 of the 28 races.

It was an improvement on the five races won by British-trained runners in 2021, but Johnson is hoping Constitution Hill can blossom into the star he has promised to be to kickstart a resurgence.

"We're in a lucky place as jumps fans," said Johnson. "We've got plenty of really nice horses to look forward too.

"Obviously the Irish have a strong domination on a lot of the top races at the moment, but Constitution Hill is the horse on this side of the Irish Sea that could help break that.

"I wasn't entirely convinced before Cheltenham. I thought his win at Sandown was very good but I wasn't sure what he'd achieved. After the Supreme I definitely thought we'd seen a star."

Johnson is under no illusion about the task the Michael Buckley-owned gelding faces to dethrone Honeysuckle, however.

"I think Honeysuckle is amazing," he said. "What she's achieved is incredible and for Henry de Bromhead to produce her at that level every time is incredible.

Constitution Hill: favourite for the Champion Hurdle next MarchCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I'd love to see Constitution Hill show that he's a Champion Hurdle horse and I'll just look forward to the race at Cheltenham in March. Fingers crossed on the Tuesday at Cheltenham we'll all have that excitement to watch the two take each other on – hopefully Constitution Hill shows us he's the one we need."

On the subject of non-equine athletes, Johnson was particularly eager for this year's weighing room battle and singled out a pair of jockeys to thrive this season.

"For me Sean Bowen is the one that's really come of age," he said. "He's the jockey who's really rose to the challenge and I wish him well over the season because I think he's grown in confidence.

"There's no lack of talent in the weighing room though and Brian Hughes is still the one they all have to beat. Sam Twiston-Davies is the jockey for me that you can rely on.

"The best jockey makes the fewest mistakes and Sam is someone who rides for everybody and you rarely ever see him being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think that's one of the nicest things you can say about a jockey!"

Johnson retired from race riding in April 2021 and although he misses competing on the big days, he remains involved in the sport and is enjoying the extra time spent with family.

"You're always going to miss riding the good horses and however old I am, I'll always feel like I want to be out there riding them," he added.

"I'm lucky that we're busy at home, whether it's breeding horses of the future or doing stuff with the family. I'm still involved with going racing and it's nice to see all the people I've known for so long."

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Constitution Hill v Honeysuckle: 'This clash is what racing is all about' (£)

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