Winning machine: Richard Johnson cuts title deficit to 18 with comeback double

The champ is back. Musselburgh commentator Malcolm Tomlinson got it spot on in the heat of a frantic finish – not that anyone should have been surprised.

Richard Johnson has not won four jump jockeys' championships without being able to bounce back from injury. Yet even by his standards it was quite something that a mere 37 days after breaking his arm in a fall at Exeter he should be back in action at the other end of the country.

Not only back riding but back riding two winners and doing so in typically never-say-die fashion, driving the Olly Murphy-trained Made For You up the run-in to force his head in front close home in the 2m hurdle at the Scottish track before scoring on Dubai Guest in the closing bumper.

It was as though he had never been away, although Johnson, who signed up as a Racing Post columnist and ambassador this week, himself joked: "I felt I needed the race more than the horse did! I'll improve for the run.

"My fitness is not too bad, it's just match fitness that's a different thing. It doesn't matter how much swimming or other stuff you do at home, this blows the cobwebs away.

"I'm very lucky having these sort of horses to come back on. He did all the hard work. Every time I asked him he gave me a bit more. The arm feels very good. I'm lucky, it's all gone very smoothly. You never know when you break something long it's going to take but I've had lots of help."

Richard Johnson drives Made For You (No.3) to pass Vino's Choice on the run-inCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

It was much more straightforward for Johnson on his second ride back as he comfortably took the bumper on evens favourite Dubai Guest, also for Murphy.

"It's been a good day back at the office," said the rider, who is taking things steady in the very early days of his comeback.

"I'll ease myself back in," he said. "I've got a chase and a hurdle tomorrow and it's a big thanks to Dave Roberts and all my trainers – you can't go without the horses."

Richard Johnson profile

He has not given up hope of a fifth riders' title and started the day 20 winners behind Hughes.

"People say, 'It's only 20' but you try and ride 20 winners, it's not easy," he said. "I've got a lot of work to do and Brian's had a great season.

"I must admit when I was lying there at Exeter I thought it had gone but with the weather on my side Brian hasn't had as many opportunities as it looked like he was going to have to ride winners so it's possible but it's a big gap."

Johnson certainly impressed eight-time champion Peter Scudamore, whose partner Lucinda Russell sent out runner-up Vino's Boy and knows a thing or two about the resilience of jump jockeys.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "If you look at Tyson Fury and now Richard, it's extraordinary what the human mind can do when it sets itself to do it."

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