Andrew Nelis racing

Few would have fancied Monkerhostin to snap a near 30-month losing streak when he lined up in the 2008 renewal of the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Philip Hobbs’ runner was a 25-1 shot and seemingly up against it as he tried to claim a first win since beating Kauto Star in the Haldon Gold Cup of November 2005, a race marred by the death of triple Gold Cup hero Best Mate. Monkerhostin had blotted his copybook for plenty of punters when sent off co-favourite for the previous year’s Grand National won by Silver Birch, not taking to the Aintree fences at all before refusing at the seventh. But those that kept the faith were handsomely rewarded, with Monkerhostin defying his veteran status as an 11-year-old to run out a two-and-a-quarter-length winner from Royal Auclair in the hands of Richard Johnson. The four-times champion recalled: “The Bet365 is one of those races you always want to win – the big prize at the end of the season. “Monkerhostin was a real favourite in the yard, h...

Richard Johnson expects to be back riding out in the coming week as he described his return to the saddle as “fairly imminent”. The champion jockey has been on the sidelines since breaking his arm when unseated in a novice chase at Exeter on January 21. Johnson subsequently underwent surgery on the injury and has been riding his retired racehorse, Menorah, at home ahead of returning to gallops duties. The four-time champion expects to be fully fit for the Cheltenham Festival, although he suffered a blow earlier this week when his Magners Gold Cup hope Native River was ruled out. Speaking in his role as an ambassador for Chepstow on the track’s Twitter account, Johnson said: “It’s been great to be back on a horse this week – I rode Menorah at home quite a few times. “I’ll be back riding out at the yards this week coming, so I’m hoping my return is fairly imminent. “There’s lots to look forward to – obviously the Cheltenham Festival mainly. It’s massively disappointing Nat...