Johnson swoops for Russell

Davy Russell has been booked for the plum ride on Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup second-favourite Abragante at Newbury on Saturday.

His owner David Johnson was left looking for a jockey after his retained pilot Timmy Murphy was ruled out through suspension.

Johnson then provisionally booked Paul Carberry for the David Pipe-trained six-year-old only for him to be required by Noel Meade at Newcastle.

“Timmy gets on very well with the horse and Davy Russell is in the same sort of mould. I had one or two others in mind but they had commitments and to be frank I didn’t want to be left waiting and be without a rider,” Johnson told At The Races.

“Davy was available, he can do the weight and will suit the horse.”

Abragante has been called one or two names but has hardly put a foot wrong of late and Johnson went on: “He’s been much maligned but he’s done nothing but improve. He’s won his last three races and is an improving horse.

“It just so happens his style of racing is to come from behind and not get there too soon. Timmy had to ask him at Haydock (in May) and he got there very bravely. But he is basically a bridle horse.

“Denman is top weight because he is the best horse in the race. He deserves to be favourite and has a favourite’s chance. But we are getting a lot of weight and weight stops horses.

“Hopefully he goes on improving and if he runs like he did at Wincanton (Badger Ales Trophy) he will run a hell of a race. We go there with every chance.”

Murphy will also be on the sidelines when Well Chief makes his return to action in the paddypower.com Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 8 and Johnson added he hoped to secure the services of Tony McCoy for that ride.