The lack of a suitable jockey could deprive Direct Route of his place in the line-up for the Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase on FEBRUARY 20th, the gelding's trainer, Howard Johnson, has said. Should Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Teeton Mill have his Festival warm-up in the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One race - as seems likely - he will be ridden by Norman Williamson, leaving Johnson with the task of replacing the Irishman on Direct Route, whom he partnered to Tingle Creek success at Sandown in December.

Johnson has Tony McCoy and Paul Carberry in mind for Direct Route, general market leader for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

However, McCoy could be claimed for one of Martin Pipe's entries in the race, leaving Johnson with a headache.