'Like a million dollars' - Thomas Patrick team full of confidence for Newbury

Richard Johnson said Ladbrokes Trophy fancy Thomas Patrick “felt like a million dollars” in a schooling session on Wednesday in preparation for his biggest challenge yet in Newbury’s feature handicap on Saturday.

The three-time champion jockey was buzzing after getting off the Tom Lacey-trained six-year-old, who on Wednesday was available at 6-1 and threatening Elegant Escape for favouritism.

Johnson, who rode Native River to glory in the race two years ago, has been on board for all of Thomas Patrick's five chase starts, and was delighted with what he saw in the session on Wednesday under the gaze of the in-form Lacey.