Johnson ready to return

RICHARD JOHNSON plans to return to the saddle at Exeter today following his heavy fall last at Taunton last Thursday.

The rider, who currently lies second to Tony McCoy in the jockeys’ championship, was unseated from Terek in the Monty Beaumont Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase and suffered bruising to his arm.

However, following five days on the easy list, Johnson will have three mounts at the Southern venue in his build-up to the Cheltenham Festival, where he will ride Smurfit Champion Hurdle favourite Rooster Booster.