RICHARD Johnson returned to the saddle with a vengeance on Thursday.
The champion jockey rode a double at Musselburgh for trainer Olly Murphy just 37 days after breaking his arm in a horror fall at Exeter.
Johnson, 42, is now 18 winners behind current championship leader Brian Hughes.
But he was made to work hard aboard the well-punted 7-4 favourite Made For You on his first ride back.
The horse looked like coming off second best behind Vino’s Choice but edged ahead under an all out Johnson drive to win by a neck.
The champ’s second winner was a good deal more straightforward, as he made all the running to score by six lengths on Dubai Guest in the finale.
Speaking after his first winner, Johnson said: Its great to be back and riding a winner on my first ride feels great.
Id no trouble or pain from my arm all the way through the race but to be honest I was blowing more than the horse at the end!
When I was lying on the ground at Exeter knowing Id probably broken my arm I thought the championship had gone.
“But the weather has been on my side and Brian hasnt had as many opportunities as he might otherwise have had.
People are saying the gap is ‘only 20 winners but you try riding that many, as it isnt easy!
