THE duo of Tony McCoy and Richard Johnson have led the Jockeys' Championship for the last few years, writes Graham Saveker.

But one aspect that may affect Herefordshire-born Johnson's long-term aim of unseating McCoy is the up and coming jockey Tom O'Brien who scored a double at Hereford Races last week.

O'Brien is champion amateur rider-elect and he partnered a double on Desert Spa and Madam Caversfield, taking his seasonal score to 25.

O'Brien confirmed that he will be vying for rides with Johnson and colleague Paddy Brennan at trainer Phillip Hobbs' yard which could have an effect upon Johnson's number of winners.

Trainer Evan Williams won the three-mile one-furlong handicap chase with Galtee View to take his new seasonal total to two, but credit was due to the riding expertise of jockey Paul Maloney who allowed his mount to lead on the run-in and so not display his 'monkey-like' characteristics as his trainer described them and throw the race away.

Abergavenny trainer David Evans, more well known for his flat race exploits, scored in the mares only novice hurdle when his Don and Gerry, ridden by his son Antony, confidently took the spoils from her rivals.