Richard Johnson will now partner Legal Right in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday following the news that Down Royal`s meeting on Saturday has been abandoned.
Johnson had been booked to partner last season`s Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Looks Like Trouble in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at the Ulster track.
Legal Right`s trainer Jonjo O`Neill had been hoping to get either Johnson or Tony McCoy to ride the gelding but the latter is set to be claimed to ride for Martin Pipe in the Cheltenham test.
And a spokesperson at O`Neill`s yard said today: 'Jonjo is disappointed for all those concerned that Down Royal is off but he is pleased that Richard is now available and he will ride Legal Right at Cheltenham.'
