Noel Chance and Richard Johnson pay tribute to Gold Cup winner Looks Like Trouble after death at age of 33

Looks Like Trouble, triumphant in the 2000 Gold Cup and winner of seven other races over fences during an illustrious career, has died at the age of 33.

Trained by Noel Chance in Lambourn, Looks Like Trouble’s career reached a glorious peak when he defeated the brilliant Florida Pearl by five lengths in jump racing’s most prestigious race under Richard Johnson.

His other big-race triumphs included the 1999 SunAlliance Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and Down Royal’s Grade 1 Champion Chase in 2000.

After his retirement in 2003, the son of Zaffaran lived with Johnson and his family until his death on Thursday night.

Chance, who became Johnson’s father-in-law, said: “It’s obviously sad, but Looks Like Trouble had the most marvellous life. He has been in the family for the last 29 years. I had him as a four-year-old and Richard gave him a home for the rest of his life after his racing days were over.

“He was 33 when he died. I don’t know quite what the equivalent is in human years, but I hope I last as long as him! He was so uncomplicated. All he ever wanted to do was please, and he certainly pleased us on so many occasions.”

Norman Williamson was Look Like Trouble’s regular rider until he fell out with owner Tim Collins, and Johnson partnered him for the first time in the Gold Cup, netting Chance a nice sum from an ante-post bet.

Noel Chance: landed big ante-post bet at 50-1

Chance recalled: “He won the SunAlliance by a distance in 1999. The following November I was having breakfast and saw that Victor Chandler were offering 50-1 for the Gold Cup. It was an insult and I got the hump with them.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t have an account with Chandler, but I knew a firm in Belfast. They offered me 33-1 and I got the right hump with them too!

“They managed to get my money on somewhere at 50-1 and he went on to win the Gold Cup at 9-2. There were no exchanges in those days and you couldn’t lay off, which was a good thing – I might have been tempted!”

Looks Like Trouble proved himself a brilliant chaser that day by beating Florida Pearl.

Chance added: “Florida Pearl was an Irish god at the time. It was a wonderful performance.”

Chance, who lives in Northern Ireland nowadays, saw Looks Like Trouble for the last time a few weeks ago. He added: “I was over for Cheltenham and fed him myself. I think he was worried when he saw me that he might have to go back into training!” 

Johnson, whose career received a significant boost by his Gold Cup win, said: "Looks Like Trouble gave me one of my biggest days as a jockey. A Gold Cup win changes your career. It gave my profile a big push in the right direction, and I was quite young at the time. Later on, to have him at home with us for over 20 years was fantastic.

"My children have all grown up with him. He has been a huge part of the family, and will be sorely missed. At 33 he was one of the oldest I've known. He was a great character."

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