County Durham trainer to raid Galway

Trainer Paul Johnson, who is based at Stanley in County Durham, Britain breaks new ground next week when he plans to have two runners at the Galway Festival.

He is taking Hoh’s Back and Hormuz to Ireland and he explained: “We went across to Galway for a holiday last year and we had a great time, the atmosphere was superb and we decided then we would love to have a runner at the meeting.”

Johnson, who also has a dental practice, took out a trainer’s licence last year after learning the ropes with Don Eddy and Mark Polglase, and he went on: “We will take them across by sea on Sunday and Hoh’s Back will run in the HP Managed Services Handicap on Wednesday – he has won his last two races and is in good form.

“As it would be nice to have a top-class jockey on our side I rang Johnny Murtagh’s agent and asked if he would ride Hoh’s Back – he said he would if he was not claimed by John Oxx or any of the other trainers he rides for – mind you I shouldn’t think Mr Oxx would have a runner in a 0-70 race.”

Hormuz will take his chance in a 13,500 euros seven-furlong handicap on Sunday week, and Johnson added: “He has been out of form this season, he has been disappointing really, but he has had the cough and is now working very well again.”

It costs 150 euros to enter, and he added: “Everyone over there has been very helpful and they are very keen to have runners from Britain at the Festival.

“We will have to see how the horses travel over, but I think they will be all right and we might work them on the beach before they run – it will be very interesting to see how the big stable’s do things there and I am really looking forward to the trip.”