Richard Johnson: Champion jump jockey salutes predecessor AP McCoy’s ‘dedication’

However, the reigning champion relishes the challenge of getting on with things and seeking to continue his ‘Mr Dependable’ reputation, as he tries to add a third title to his CV.

People naturally wonder how long Johnson, who is also involved in the breeding of racehorses, will continue plying his trade, or whether he’ll ever challenge McCoy’s 4,358 total over jumps.

Success number one for Johnson came on Rusty Bridge, owned and trained by his parents Sue and Keith, at Hereford – the course named its new restaurant after the horse – in April 1994, and he’s hopeful the finishing line isn’t yet in sight.

“I’m loving doing what I do, especially when riding nice horses,” he said. “I’m lucky – AP struggled more with his weight, and other lads have got different things, but at the moment my body’s pretty well.

“It’ll happen one day, but when you’ve got support from trainers like Philip Hobbs, Henry Daly and Tim Vaughan, it makes my job easy.”

Two years? Three? Four?

“I want to go on as long as possible.”