Five jockeys who could be a threat to Richard Johnson's championship next term

Richard Johnson will be presented with the champion jockey trophy for the fourth year in a row at Sandown on Saturday and is 4-7 with Sky Bet to dominate again next season, but who will be the biggest threats to his crown? We take a look at five possible dangers

Harry Skelton

Johnson's nearest pursuer this season and a rider whose career is going only one way – upwards. That is no surprise as his trainer and brother Dan is one of the sport's most driven and ambitious operators, recently emulating the legendary Martin Pipe as the only handler to send out 200 winners in a season. With that support Skelton has claims, but he lacks rides from other trainers.

Brian Hughes: top jockey in the northCredit: Edward Whitaker

Brian Hughes

Hughes is recognised as the leading rider in the north and a rock-solid jockey with the firmest of grips on the formbook. For the past five seasons he has recorded centuries and 2018-19 will be his best in terms of winners and prize-money. However, linking up with a resurgent Donald McCain this term has not allowed him to make any inroads on the seemingly immovable Johnson.

Harry Cobden

When you ride for the champion trainer you might expect to be a contender for the role of champion jockey, but that is something Cobden has never yet featured in. That could easily change, especially as the 20-year-old missed the thick end of four months last season with a neck fracture. As well as Paul Nicholls, he can count on fellow powerhouse Colin Tizzard.

Sam Twiston-Davies

Replaced last summer by Cobden as number one rider for Paul Nicholls, Twiston-Davies has responded with credit, notching a century total for the sixth campaign running. He will forever be backed by his Grand National-winning trainer-father Nigel and enjoys a prosperous link with the shrewd Richard Newland, while a champion jockeys' title is something the popular rider has long coveted.

Sean Bowen

No-one was happy to see the back of Noel Fehily, but his retirement has opened the door at Harry Fry's Dorset stable for Bowen, who produced one of the rides of the season on the trainer's If The Cap Fits at Aintree this month. Bowen, whose younger brother James also appears a future champion contender, has had his best season and can rely on a steady supply of winners from father Peter.

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