'I decided if I wasn't around, I couldn't be asked to ride him' - how Richard Johnson fled Aintree to avoid late Grand National call-up

No jockey has ridden in the Grand National more times than Richard Johnson, who retired from the saddle having tried in vain to win the Aintree spectacular on 21 occasions. Had he not had a very quick shower just before 4pm on April 14, 2018, 21 might eventually have become 22.

Johnson's Grand National story began aboard Celtic Abbey in 1997 and ended on Rock The Kasbah in 2019. He finished second twice, partnering What's Up Boys and Balthazar King into the silver-medal spot, but there were also some miserable Grand National experiences for the four-time champion jockey. In 2018 he decided he did not want to risk having another.

Johnson steered Thomas Patrick to victory in the fourth race that particular afternoon. The contest was less enjoyable for Adrian Heskin, who broke an arm when Rocklander fell. That left trainer Tom George in need of a big-race jockey for the previous year's third, Saint Are.

Johnson, who was unusually without a Grand National mount, did not want to be that jockey.

Richard Johnson rode Saint Are to a Grade 1 win at the 2011 Grand National festival - but he did not fancy riding him in the 2018 Grand NationalCredit: Racing Post

"At that stage of my career, I only wanted to ride horses in the Grand National who I thought had a chance – and I knew Saint Are had no chance because of the ground," says Johnson.

"He was a lovely old horse, and I had won on him over hurdles at Aintree, but the ground was heavy in 2018 and I was certain there was no way he would perform on it. In fact, I thought he would even struggle just to get to the start. The problem was I also knew they were looking for someone to ride him."

Johnson did what anyone would have done in the circumstances. He ran away. 

Richard Johnson was already heading home when television viewers were told he would be riding Saint Are in the Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Because I had no ride in the race, people started putting two and two together," he recalls. "I remember saying to my valet, Chris Maude, 'That's not for me', but I also didn't want to be rude to anyone by saying I didn't want to ride the horse. 

"I decided that if I wasn't around, I couldn't be asked to ride him, so I jumped in the shower, said goodbye to everyone and went out the back door. I was on the Runcorn Bridge when my wife, Fiona, called me and said they had just announced on the telly I would be riding Saint Are in the National. I said to her I definitely wasn't as I was already on my way home."

Ciaran Gethings was nowhere near the Runcorn Bridge and was called up by George to replace Heskin. Unfortunately for Saint Are and his jockey, they were brought down at the Chair. By that point, Johnson was already closing in on his dinner.

Read more pieces from Lee Mottershead here:

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'The Lord works in mysterious ways' - good luck and great judgement help JP McManus pull off a masterstroke 

Rachael Blackmore shows us what we have been missing as JP McManus crosses another festival prize from his missing list 

'Moments like this show he's here with us and he'll always be there' - Michael O'Sullivan remembered in emotional Champion Chase 

'He who dares wins, Rodney' - some welcome bravery (and running scared of Lossiemouth) delivers Champion Hurdle glory 

'Don't think it was all plain sailing - there were times when I couldn't believe how stupid I had been' 

'Peter O'Sullevan didn't speak to me for 18 months' - the dramatic inside story of how Channel 4 stole Cheltenham from the BBC  

'I believe in the freedom of choice' - Cartmel's vicar brings good sense to the gambling debate 

'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'

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