Johnston in the form of his life

Chichester: Statistics are no longer the be all and end all for trainer Mark Johnston but they are screaming his name ahead of Glorious Goodwood.

A double with Bay Willow and Malthouse at Ascot on Sunday was supplemented by a masterful piece of placing that enabled Greg Fairley-ridden Lady Jane Digby to land a Group One in Germany that multiplied her breeding value.

The treble took Johnston's July tally to 36. Only twice in the last five years has he trained more winners in a calendar month and his best ever — 38 in June 2009 — should be over-hauled by the end of the week at a meeting where he has been top trainer seven times.

"There was a time when statistics were vitally important. I was trying to build a business and influence new customers," said Johnston, on target to reach the 200-winner mark for a second successive year.

"Everyone asks why I am so good at Goodwood. I am still looking for reasons."

The trainer, who will run around 30 horses at the meeting, added: "You come to Royal Ascot and get one win on the board and are satisfied. The great fear at that meeting is going home with a blank. Realistically, if I only went home with one winner at Glorious Good-wood, I'd be disappointed".

That may be secured early as the Yorkshire-based Scot saddles Tartan Gigha, Tartan Gunna and Submariner in the opening race today.

"We have been waiting for Goodwood with Tartan Gunna and Tartan Gigha. They have had three or four weeks off and, by our standards, that is a rest. Tartan Gigha has kept defying the handicapper and I would like to think he can do it again."

Emotional victories

Eastern Aria (Glorious or Lillie Langtry Stakes), juveniles Stentorian (Vintage Stakes) and Satin Lover (Richmond Stakes) plus St Leger entry Corsica in today's Gordon Stakes are all part of the squad, although Johnston regrets no battling stayer to follow in the hoof-prints of his three-time Goodwood Cup winner Double Trigger. In all, he won the staying prize five times. He said: "Stayers have provided the most emotional victories in my whole training career, not just at Goodwood".

"Despite huge successes, particularly with Attraction in five Groups, if you ask people to name a horse trained by Mark Johnston, they'd say Double Trigger.

"Corsica has to carry a penalty in the Gordon Stakes and I did wonder whether I should wait for the Great Voltigeur. But the horse is very well, so I thought let's make hay while the suns shines."

One significant absentee, however, could be St Moritz, 6-1 favourite for Friday's totesport Mile. Johnston runs Sea Lord (8-1) in the race, but revealed: "St Moritz is far from certain to run. The owner wants to target Listed and Group races. There is some concern also whether he will be able to come down the Goodwood hill as he has had knee problems in the past. I would have doubts about it".

Meanwhile, Awzaan, Johnston's big hope for the season but unraced since finishing 15th in the 2000 Guineas, is being aimed at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.