Four time champion jockey Richard Johnson Stood down himself at Southwell on Sunday but will be back riding on Tuesday after what was first thought to be a major back injury looks to be just a bit of soreness.
The 42 year old was unfortunate last season to be knocked off the top spot by Brian Hughes as Johnson, after being injured for a large part of the season, was still in touching distance of Hughes but with the season cut short he had no chance of catching him and lost his jockeys title.
However, this term the 42 year old Gold Cup winner is looking to get himself back on top and clinch his fifth champion jockey accolade.
After Standing himself down at Southwell, he also gave up his rides on Monday at Market Rasen but he is set to be back at Stratford on Tuesday.
The champ is back!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 27, 2020
What a cracking ride - 37 days after breaking his forearm, Richard Johnson lifts home Made For You on his first ride back for Olly Murphy at @MusselburghRace 👏 @dickyjohnson77 @O_J_murphy91 pic.twitter.com/FadxV94KyP
(Credit Racing Post) Johnson said: "To be perfectly honest I don't know exactly what I've done, my back was sore on Saturday but I thought it'd be okay to ride at Southwell.
"I had my first ride and it just wasn't right, so I gave up my rides yesterday and had treatment from the physio at the racecourse.
"It's better today but it's just not 100 per cent and I don't want to go to the races like that – you want to do a good job – so I've left it today. I'm hoping to be back tomorrow.
"I've obviously strained or tweaked something in my back, even the physio couldn't quite work out why I was sore, but it's nothing serious and it's just unfortunate I couldn't ride yesterday or today. Fingers crossed I'll be at Stratford tomorrow."