Leading jump jockey Richard Johnson has had a mixed few days racing, starting with being given a twelve day ban for taking the wrong course at Exeter on Friday, followed by taking Sundays feature Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

A multiple runner-up in the jump jockey’s title race, the Herefordshire based Johnson has been enjoying a fine run of form recently, consistently booting home winners, which included seven winners at November's Cheltenham meeting.

At Exeter, Johnson was on board the Martin Keighley-trained Benbane Head, who was pulled up after jumping the seventh fence and subsequently taking the wrong course in a race won by fellow 11-2 chance Adrenalin Flight.

At the following Stewards enquiry, the Stewards ruled that Johnson had forgotten the water jump, which was omitted on the first circuit, which should be jumped second time around and he had gone to bypass it.

They imposed a riding ban which runs from 19 December to 2 January so he will miss the busy and lucrative Christmas period, including the prestigious King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day where he would have been set to ride Menorah in the big race for his retained trainer Philip Hobbs..

Compensation of sorts was on-hand for Johnson at Huntingdon on Sunday when he rode Wishfull Thinking for the same trainer to land the Grade 2 Betfred Peterborough Chase.

Johnson sent him to the lead from the off and his electric jump at the first fence set the tone for the rest of the contest. Eduard looked the main threat to the leader rounding the home turn and indeed Nicky Richards' horse took up the running between the last two flights.

However, a poor jump at the last allowed Wishfull Thinking to regain the lead on the run-in and his momentum ensured he had one-and-a-half lengths in hand of Eduard at the line.

Johnson said afterwards: "This is a horse that stays very well and he gave it 110 per cent. He got done for speed the last day but jumped lovely here and I think he is as well as he's ever been, despite being 11. He's so much more relaxed nowadays."

Delighted owner Graham Whateley added: "I hoped that he would do it today, we had a third in this race last year with Captain Chris which was a bit frustrating as he had so much weight. I hope that he will have a long rest now and then we will have a think, as I think he might be better in the spring.” He added.