Richard Johnson 2-1 to reach legend McCoy's haul but says it's a long way off

Richard Johnson, who will be crowned Stobart champion jump jockey for the fourth time on Saturday, can't match the incomparable Tony McCoy's record of 20 titles but is just 2-1 with Coral to overtake his great friend and rival's tally of winners.

Johnson was runner-up to McCoy 16 times before his retirement four years ago, when the thought of surpassing his 4,348 jumps winners in Britain and Ireland was something of a distant dream for Johnson.

However, the 41-year-old shows no signs of slowing down and now trails that total by 728 after another stellar campaign.

"When AP McCoy retired we thought he'd set a total that would remain unthreatened for many years to come but, at his current rate, Richard Johnson could be within reach in the next four or five seasons," said Coral's David Stevens.

"At 2-1, we're certainly not ruling it out that the current champion eventually overtakes his old rival."

William Hill go 4-1, while Sky Bet offer 6-1, a price Johnson himself might feel is a more accurate assessment.

He said: "AP's total is a long way away and for me the most important thing is the next 12 months – the next championship is what I'll concentrate on.

"We'll take each year as it comes. I don't really think about reaching AP. If we get a lot closer we can start to think about it, but it's a long way off and there's no point looking at things so far into the future – we'll take one season at a time."

Johnson, who is on 3,620 winners after a double at Perth on Wednesday, is 1-2 to ride at least 4,000 with Hills, who make him 7-4 to partner at least 200 next season. So too do Sky Bet, who quote him at 4-7 to retain his title.

Richard Johnson specials

Sky Bet: 4-7 win title next season, 7-4 ride at least 200 winners next season, 6 beat McCoy's total of 4,348

William Hill: 1-2 ride at least 4,000 jumps winners, 7-4 ride at least 200 winners next season, 4 beat McCoy's total of 4,348

Betting viewpoint: Tom Collins

Richard Johnson has been riding at the top of his game for 20-plus seasons and with regular foe Tony McCoy retiring in 2015 aged 40, it has been unsurprising to see Johnson head the table every season since.

McCoy's total of 4,348 jumps winners is some benchmark. Although Johnson is 'just' 728 off that figure, he turns 42 this summer and it will take some going to better it.

Johnson has averaged 159 winners a season over the last 20 years and 199 since McCoy retired, so it would take an injury-free four seasons for him to surpass the ex-champ. Odds ranging between 2-1 and 6-1, therefore, of his doing that represent little value given the ups and downs of jumps racing.

Much more appealing is the 7-4 offered by William Hill and Sky Bet for Johnson to ride 200 winners next season. Although he has reached the figure only once before – or twice if he manages another three winners this season – he is going to have the bit between his teeth to fend off the likes of Harry Skelton and it may take 200 winners to do so.

You might also be interested in these other milestones

Barry Geraghty becomes fourth most successful rider after Cheltenham victory

Dan Skelton reaches 200 winners for the season after Sunday six-timer

Paul Nicholls celebrates 3,000th jumps victory in Britain with Cheltenham win

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