Johnson preparing for a battle as he chases fourth title in a row

The new jumps season may only be in its infancy but champion jockey Richard Johnson thinks he is going to have a fight on his hands to secure a fourth consecutive jockeys' title this time around.

After taking his tally for the new campaign to 11 with a typically rugged ride on the Tim Vaughan-trained Take Em Out in the 2m3f maiden hurdle, Johnson said his main priority in the early part of the season will be keeping tabs on current leader Harry Skelton, who has already holds a 12-winner advantage over him at the top of the table.

“Harry’s had a great start and is absolutely flying and I’m trying to stay within some distance of him,” said Johnson, who finished last season with 176 winners.