Tag Archive for: Harry Cobden

Cobden confident Caldwell Potter can shine in future

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Harry Cobden is retaining plenty of faith in big-money purchase Caldwell Potter, insisting there are many exciting days still to come in the career of the much-heralded novice chaser.

A Grade One winner over hurdles when with Gordon Elliott, he transferred to Paul Nicholls after a familiar collection of Ditcheat owners – including former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson – paid €740,000 during the Andrew and Gemma Brown dispersal sale almost 12 months ago.

With his debut for the multiple champion trainer delayed until early this season, he made a winning reappearance at Carlisle, but his eagerly-awaited novice chasing campaign has since stalled with defeats at both Cheltenham in December and in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor last Friday.

Nicholls launched a staunch defence of the seven-year-old in the aftermath of his reversal at the hands of Gidleigh Park on day one of the Berkshire Winter Million weekend and those sentiments have been echoed by his stable jockey.

Caldwell Potter (left) proved no match for Gidleigh Park
Caldwell Potter (left) proved no match for Gidleigh Park (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“He ran well and I think the winner Gidleigh Park is obviously a very good horse,” said Cobden.

“He jumped, he travelled and had every chance jumping the third last, didn’t he. I winged the third last, jumped the second last alongside but the other horse has just pulled away from us.

“Those horses like Shishkin, Constitution Hill, Kauto Star, Denman and Sir Gino – they are freaks. Ours is not a freak, he’s just a really good horse and I still think we’re lucky to have a horse like that because there’s a lot of people who would like him.”

Cobden admits Caldwell Potter’s headline-grabbing sales price brings with it an extra level of attention and expectation.

He added: “The problem is probably his reputation – when you spend that much money on a horse, well that is what you have to spend these days. I’ve seen plenty of horses come out of France where people have spent 500,000, 600,000 or 700,000 on something who has won one juvenile hurdle over there.

“But I’m absolutely keeping the faith and when a horse with his sort of price-tag and reputation goes through the ring, you are doomed really if you don’t win. He won first time out and has since got beat, but I do think he will go on to win lots of races.”

Nicholls suggested the Grand Annual could prove a suitable target at the Cheltenham Festival and the champion jockey concurs with his long-time boss, believing Caldwell Potter is sure to improve as he garners further experience over the larger obstacles.

“It wouldn’t be a silly idea and novices have a good record in that race,” continued Cobden.

“He’s very straightforward and he’s already been round that course and it wouldn’t be a bad thing to get another run under his belt before he goes there, if that is where he goes.

“He’s going to win loads of races and it wouldn’t surprise me if he kept improving – he’s only just turned seven and we have to give him a bit of a chance.

“I’m never afraid to get a good horse beat and it’s no bad thing. Regent’s Stroll got beat the other day at Newbury and it’s not the end of the world, is it? As long as you have the horse and can go again, that’s all that matters.”



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Don’t Rightly Know jumps Newbury rivals ragged for Listed prize

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Don’t Rightly Know made all to land the Listed Charlie Nugent Memorial Mares’ Chase at Newbury.

Harry Cobden sent the 2-1 favourite straight to the front of the field and the 10-year-old never put a foot wrong, with an impeccable round of jumping.

Lady Balko, seeking a fourth straight victory, was the first beaten as Don’t Rightly Know kept the pressure on and it was Apple Away and Derek Fox that gave chase, but Cobden kept the Polly Gundry-trained mare up to her work to come home one and a quarter lengths clear and secure a double on the day for the champion jockey.

Fantastic Lady stayed on to claim third, with Smiling Getaway and Lady Balko tailed off.

Gundry said: “I think Harry did a rather good job.

“I think she can really cope with soft ground which is a bit safer for her and it’s a bit dead out there. I think all the frost and the rain we’ve had recently has helped.

“She hasn’t got the mileage and it is a little bit like a car, if you don’t put the mileage on you have it there for later.

“She has got the most extraordinary temperament, very arrogant and she wants to do it all her own way and it’s a really good win.”

She went on: “We’ll have a lot of celebrations as a result of this one and we’ll go and plan whilst we’re having a glass of champagne.”

Cobden told Sky Sports Racing: “She’s got lots of stamina because she’s won over three miles on a more testing surface than this. She’s a nice mare and great for Polly and connections because they’ve bred her and that’s what every breeder wants to do, get a mare that wins a Listed race.

“She going to take a fair hike in the handicap, isn’t she? She’s obviously improving even though she’s 10 years old. I think the handicapper will give her 15lb, but if she runs against similar company again she will go and win again won’t she?”

Jasmin De Grugy wrapped up a five-timer in the DJB Cleaning Handicap Chase.

The Anthony Honeyball-trained six-year-old was held up by Richie McLernon and the 7-4 favourite was asked for an effort three out.

He soon challenged the leaders and took it up over the last to win in a canter, by four and a quarter lengths from Garincha.

Jurancon got back to winning ways at Newbury
Jurancon got back to winning ways at Newbury (Nick Potts/PA)

Jurancon has been placed in all seven of his starts under rules and claimed a fourth victory in the Grosvenor Sport Cash Back Offers Novices’ Hurdle.

The David Pipe-trained six-year-old raced prominently and although he did not jump fluently he did enough to justify 5-4 favouritism by two and three-quarter lengths ahead of Big Ginge.

Cobden got his day up and running when partnering Sherminator to victory on his hurdling debut in the Grosvenor Sport Win Rewards Every Day EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.

He jumped into contention going over the final flight before hitting the front and keeping on to win by two and a quarter lengths going away from Star Of Guiting at 11-4.

Bucephalus (7-2 joint-favourite) made all under 7lb claimer Harriet Tucker to land the Grosvenor Sport New Customers Double Odds Handicap Hurdle, while Keable (9-4) made it a successful day for favourite-backers when he became the fifth favourite to win out of six races in the closing Grosvenor Sport Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle.



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Jubilee Alpha turns in dominant display at Taunton

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Jubilee Alpha turned the tables on her Newbury conqueror Listentoyourheart to claim top honours in the Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton.

By his own admission, it has been a relatively quiet festive period for trainer Paul Nicholls, having saddled just one winner from his previous 22 runners, but hopes were high ahead of Jubilee Alpha’s second successive Listed assignment in Somerset.

The five-year-old finished third behind Listentoyourheart at the Coral Gold Cup meeting – but while the latter was completing a hat-trick over obstacles, Jubilee Alpha was making her hurdling debut and first start since finishing second in the spring, so was entitled to improve ahead of the rematch.

Listentoyourheart was the 13-8 favourite to confirm the placings, but came under pressure from the home turn, whereas Jubilee Alpha – in receipt of 5lb – travelled strongly under Harry Cobden.

Once given her head, the 15-8 chance quickened up smartly to seal the deal and was good value for the winning margin of three and a half lengths over the previously unbeaten Hollygrove Cha Cha, with Listentoyourheart only fourth.

Paddy Power reacted by cutting Jubilee Alpha’s odds for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival to 12-1 from 20-1.

Harry Cobden steered Jubilee Alpha to success at Taunton
Harry Cobden steered Jubilee Alpha to success at Taunton (David Davies/PA)

“She learnt a lot at Newbury. She was buried down on the inside, we didn’t go that fast and she was a bit keen, but ultimately I thought she’d learn a lot jumping,” Cobden told Racing TV.

“I know we didn’t win that day, but I thought we’d build on that run and she’s come here today a different mare.

“I thought she’d go and run a big race, purely on the fact that I wasn’t massively hard on her the last day, being it her first run of the year and her first run over hurdles, and I thought she’d improve a lot for the run.

“She’s probably got it all apart from size – she’s not the biggest in the world. But she travels well, she’s really got her jumping together and I think she’s going to keep progressing.”

On the stable form, the champion jockey added: “Some are running their races and some aren’t. Inthewaterside was brilliant on Saturday and this filly won today, but obviously there’s been quite a lot in between that haven’t probably run their races.

“I think with a flu jab and a few quiet weeks, they’ll hopefully bounce back in the new year.”



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Soul Icon secures top spot in Desert Orchid Chase

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Soul Icon enjoyed a well-deserved day in the sun with a surprise success in the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park.

It has been a while between drinks for Keiran Burke’s stable star, who had picked up second place in five successive races since last tasting victory over hurdles at Fontwell in October of last year.

The seven-year-old was seemingly outclassed when last of four in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his most recent outing and was sent off at 16-1 taking on the likes of Boothill and Edwardstone in this limited handicap.

It was a straight shootout barring accidents from halfway up the home straight, with Harry Cobden and Soul Icon challenged by Tom Cannon and Edwardstone, from whom Burke’s runner was receiving a stone and a half in weight.

That extra burden told late on as with the far rail to help, Soul Icon knuckled down on the run-in to secure top honours and his first win over fences by three and a half lengths, with 2-1 favourite Martator a further seven lengths away in third.

Burke, claiming his first big-race winner since saddling Hunt Ball to win at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, said: “I’m delighted as he deserved that. He’s as genuine as they come and he’s just been unfortunate to bump into one a few times.

“It was a lovely ride from Harry, perfect. It was the complete opposite of what I wanted him to do, but he knows what he’s doing and knows more than I do!

“I don’t really have any plans as he is ground dependent – we do need this better ground. We’ll see what the weather is doing and see what’s available for him.”

Cobden told Racing TV: “It’s great to ride any winner, but especially on the big days. I get a buzz riding any horse to win in a race like this and it means so much more to those little guys because they don’t have many darts to throw at the board.

“We went very quick with two keen horses in front and I just thought we’d take a lead and follow away. He’s not a very big horse, but he’s clever and he’s got a big jump when you need it.

“Turning in I thought Edwardstone had nearly 12st and I didn’t want to be anywhere near him really. I just thought we’d stay away from an old, experienced horse as I didn’t want to help him along.

“He’s been very unlucky. Three or four times over fences it’s looked like he was going to win and something has nailed him in the last 25 yards. I think the way the race played out today, going so quick early, he hasn’t been in front too long and it’s probably helped him out.”



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Ma Shantou takes opening honours at Windsor

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There was a minor surprise in the first jumps race staged at Windsor since 2005 as Ma Shantou beat odds-on favourite Excello.

Only four went to post for the Fitzdares Welcomes Jumping Back @ Royal Windsor EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle and Nico De Boinville headed straight into an early lead, attempting to make all on Nicky Henderson’s Excello.

Things appeared to be going according to the script with De Boinville trying to stretch the field round the top bend, but he could not shake off the attentions of the Emma Lavelle-trained Ma Shantou (15-8).

Champion jockey Harry Cobden sensed his chance approaching the final flight and Excello had no more to offer as Ma Shantou went clear for a one-and-three-quarter-length win.

“We went a nice, even gallop and I just thought mine outstayed him in the end, they are two nice horses and I’d say Nico’s is one that will keep improving,” said Cobden.

“Mine has improved every run, he didn’t jump well first time and at Warwick he was a bit buzzy but today he was more the finished article, a bit of an armchair ride really – just the type I like.”

Cobden later doubled up on Jimmy Frost’s Asian Spice (3-1) in the Fitzdares Windsor Castle Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

Sam Thomas rode a winner at Windsor before its closure and added one as a trainer to his record when Vincenzo (9-2) battled back to win the Fitzdares Royal Windsor Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

It was another example of the talents of rising star jockey Dylan Johnston, who told Sky Sports Racing: “It rides OK, it suited him. We went a gallop and we half sprinted, you probably won’t be coming from too far behind I’d say.

“He’s done it well and finished out his race well. He hasn’t done loads of schooling but the fences at Sam’s, we usually say if they can jump them, they can jump pretty much anything.”

Thomas added: “He’s been disappointing over hurdles to be honest, given how he feels at home, he just hasn’t lived up to what I thought. The fences have been the making of him.

“It’s great to have it back, there’s a chance of more tracks closing than starting unfortunately, so I think it’s a great initiative. It’s my passion and long may jumping last. There’s huge prize money for the Winter Million and hopefully Lump Sum will be in the big hurdle.”

Starcrossed Lover (4-1) was a winner on his debut for Neil Mulholland and James Bowen in the Fitzdares Royal Windsor Racecourse Maiden Hurdle, having previously had two runs for Colm Murphy in Ireland.

Bowen said: “He’s a nice horse, I rode him out a few weeks ago and he gave me a nice feel. They went a good gallop and that suited us.

“You wouldn’t want the ground to be any quicker as the bend after the winning line is sharp, but the hurdle course rode fine.”

In what was an eventful race, Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Boston Boy was still in with every chance when diving out through the wing of the second last, just as he had done last time out.

Richie McClernon emerged unscathed and later partnered Hasthing (11-8 favourite) to victory in the Fitzdares Telephone Betting Handicap Chase.

Ballycamus (6-1) provided Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies with a winner in the Fitzdares Thames Handicap Chase, staying on strongly to beat Minella Blueway.

The jockey was complimentary of the track, saying: “They are well built fences, they take some jumping and that is his biggest asset.

“It’s a straightforward track to ride, obviously the ground is pretty soft as they water all summer for the Flat, so you are going to need to stay well. There are lots of twists and turns so you can get in and out if you want, rather than being dictated to in behind.

“You need a fit, good jumper and hopefully that is what we’ve got a few of.”

Robert Walford’s Loverdose (9-4 favourite) came home clear under Harry Kimber to win the Fitzdares Windsor Christmas Handicap Hurdle.



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Henderson hails Windsor jumps return

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Nicky Henderson was full of praise for Windsor after jump racing returned to the east Berkshire track for the first time in 19 years.

Despite seeing two odds-on favourites beaten on Sunday, the Lambourn handler was thrilled to have the National Hunt track reinstated.

“The track looks brilliant. We’ve been quite involved all the way through. At the beginning of last season we actually brought Jonbon here as he quite likes an away day. They’ve had a couple of trial days as well. I think it’s wonderful,” said Henderson.

“I’m probably the only trainer who can remember being here before, sadly! I can remember it quite well.

“I rode a winner round here and we had our first ever double as a trainer here in 1978.

“We’ve been practicing the bend quite a bit, I’m not sure why that first race didn’t fill more but four runners was a nice start, it’s on the right configuration now.”

Further jumps action at the course looked a long way off when the decision was taken in 2005 to run it is a Flat-only track, but when Arena Racing Company, who own Windsor, came up with the idea of the Winter Million meeting, it was seen as the ideal venue – the only trouble being at the time it did not stage National Hunt racing.

In the interim the Winter Million has been held at Lingfield, when the weather allowed, but this season it will form part of the Berkshire Winter Million, with Ascot’s Clarence House card in the middle of the two days in January.

Mark Spincer, group operations director for ARC told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s a really good crowd but it wouldn’t be a raceday without a few challenges and the boats (transporting racegoers) got cancelled very late because the Thames is too high, which put a bit more pressure on the taxis.

Mark Spincer of ARC detailed what had gone into bringing racing back to Windsor
Mark Spincer of ARC detailed what had gone into bringing racing back to Windsor (David Davies/PA)

“We were hoping for 5,000 and it looks like being pretty close to that.

“Credit will go to Martin Cruddace (CEO) and quite rightly. He had us all in a board meeting saying he wanted to return jumping to Windsor. Out of that came the Winter Million but we weren’t ready so it took us a couple of years to get Windsor ready, hence why the Winter Million started at Lingfield.

“Once we got everything ready we had a conversation with Ascot and they were excited to be partners with us and there’s the three days.”

The Windsor track was previously a figure of eight, but remedial work was carried out and it is now a more conventional layout.

Spincer added: “There have been a lot of people involved in getting us to where we are now, the British Horseracing Authority have been a big help. It’s taken a fairly sizeable chequebook to get where we are, in the region of £400,000 to £500,000 but we’ve also spent money on the track which will benefit Flat and jumps.

“The new layout was down to Richard Langley and Charlie Moore. They wouldn’t allow us to go back to a figure of eight on the grounds that in this day and age you wouldn’t want horses potentially running back on to themselves, so we accepted that and had to find a way to come up with a solution.”

Trainer Jamie Snowden was another who had taken part in the pre-racing gallops.

He said: “We came down here for a couple of gallops and it’s great that Windsor is opening up. It’s great to have another turf track on our doorstep, it’s only 45 minutes from Lambourn so we came down with two today.

“It all appeared fine after the first. The concern was with it being a tight track that if you got in front you might stay in front, but the race changed up the home straight.”

Champion jockey Harry Cobden won the first race on Emma Lavelle’s Ma Shantou.

“It was quite interesting to walk the track and ride it as well, it’s intriguing but it’s something different,” said Cobden.

“I thought it walked tight but I didn’t think it rode as bad as it walked, I’ve got no complaints. The ground was pretty testing, it was hard work out there.”



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Kandoo performance sees Coral Gold Cup heading back to Ditcheat

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Kandoo Kid kept on strongly to give Paul Nicholls a valuable Coral Gold Cup victory at Newbury.

It was the Ditcheat handler’s first success in this race since the mighty Denman prevailed for the second time in 2009.

French raider General En Chef came cruising into contention down the long home straight and seemed set for an impressive triumph.

However, as he ran out of petrol after jumping the final fence, Kandoo Kid (8-1) still had plenty of stamina left in reserve and stayed on to score by a length and three-quarters under Harry Cobden, with 4-1 favourite Broadway Boy back in second after rallying from a bad mistake three out.

Kandoo Kid won here on this weekend 12 months ago and went on to run a series of solid races in good company, including when third in the Topham at Aintree in April, prompting plans for a crack at next year’s Grand National.

Following what was a superb seasonal debut, Nicholls told Sky Sports Racing: “He doesn’t want heaps of work and we just planned it back from here – I always felt he was a horse that could win this, he just loves it around here.

“Decent ground, he jumps and he’s got to the age where he’s got plenty of stamina now, so it was good.

“He’s got loads of jumping ability, he travels well, Harry was able to fill his lungs up turning in and then he galloped all the way to the line – a fantastic ride, he’s brilliant on those good days, Harry. He likes those ones, the big races.

Coral Gold Cup Day – Newbury Racecourse
Kandoo Kid ridden by jockey Harry Cobden on their way to winning (Adam Davy/PA).

“It’s a good team effort because everyone has worked hard to get him right, it was brilliant and now we can dream of Aintree, because that’s where I think we’ll probably go next, or possibly just one run before.

“He ran a blinder in the Topham and we thought then that the National would be a race for him and then come here on the way. He doesn’t need a run but whether we do or not, we’ll see.

“But I’d say he’s the sort of horse who will run well at Aintree.”

Nicholls has a fine record in this contest from when it was called the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and he added: “This is a special race, I won it on Playschool and Broadheath (as a jockey) all those years ago, and then (as a trainer) Denman twice and Strong Flow, so to come back in the winner’s enclosure is fantastic.”

Coral Gold Cup Day – Newbury Racecourse
Jockey Harry Cobden with the trophy after riding Kandoo Kid to victory (Adam Davy/PA).

Cobden told ITV Racing: “We thought this time last year he was made for a race like this and didn’t actually expect him to come here off a mark of 145, so the horse has just improved tremendously.

“The boss has trained him beautifully; it’s hard to get a horse ready without a run for a race like this and all the credit goes to the team at home – he was easy to steer round.

“I didn’t think we went very fast, we just went a nice, easy gallop, it was sensibly controlled by Sammy (Twiston-Davies on Broadway Boy) on the front end, but I was always happy.

“This horse is not that quick, but he keeps finding and he really relished the three miles-plus.”



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Rubaud highlights fantastic five-timer for Nicholls

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Rubaud produced a brave front-running display to retain his BetMGM Elite Hurdle title and help Paul Nicholls post a fabulous five-timer at Wincanton.

The six-year-old got the better of a battle with Aspire Tower at the head of affairs but Brentford Hope loomed up in ominous fashion between the final two flights.

However, Rubaud jumped the last much more fluently and never looked back, coming home a length and a quarter in front as the 11-10 favourite under Harry Cobden.

Nicholls, who had already struck with Sorceleur, Beau Balko and Larchmont Lass in the first three races on the card and took the closing bumper with Swingin Safari, said: “He is a fantastic horse and he will go chasing now.

“He will not beat the likes of Constitution Hill, and we proved that last season. He is a great Grade Two horse and he will be a fantastic chaser, as he is a brilliant jumper and he is a big, scopey horse. That is his future now.

“I think he beat two good horses there that are rated higher than him and he has given them 6lb. But he is just a class horse. He just keeps galloping and that is the great thing about him.

“He will go to Kempton Park for the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase over Christmas. That might be his first port of call, as I don’t want to over do it.”

Cobden, who rode a four-timer of his own, added: “I love riding this horse, he’s so slick over his hurdles. When he was younger, he was very keen, but he just gives himself a chance now and he’s an absolute pleasure to ride.”

Sorceleur (2-9) claimed the BetMGM EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle less than 24 hours after a victory at Exeter.

Wincanton Races – Saturday November 9th
Sorceleur ridden by Harry Cobden (Steven Paston/PA).

Nicholls said: “He is a hardy horse that eats well. He came out this morning like he hadn’t been anywhere yesterday. He ate all his grub last night and drank plenty of water. It was never in doubt.

“I think I’ve done it five or six times in my career (run a horse on consecutive days) and they have all won. You have just got to have the right horse.”

Following Swingin Safari’s success, the 14-times champion trainer added: “It is nice to have five winners, and we have done it before on this day. We are flying along now.”

Boombawn timed his late charge just right when getting up close home in the Grade Two Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase.

Soul Icon made a brave attempt to make all and had seen off market leaders Insurrection and Handstands before the latter fell three out.

However, Harry Skelton managed to keep Boombawn in contention and he found just that little bit more after the last to score by a neck at 8-1.

Wincanton Races – Saturday November 9th
Boombawn (left) ridden by Harry Skelton going on to win (Steven Paston/PA).

Winning trainer Dan Skelton said: “I’m stopping short of calling it top-class form, but for horses that like that ground, it has got to be a good race.

“Fair play to the second as he has worn his heart on his sleeve and jumped brilliantly, and he didn’t really deserve to get caught. If I’m in second I’d feel gutted, but some days you win and some days you don’t and Boombawn just had a little bit left at the end.

“Going to the last I thought we had him. Harry just saved a bit as he got that inner rail. I’m just chuffed to bits for him.

“He wants a good gap between his races and if the ground starts softening up, I’m not sure you will see him for a while.

“The Pendil (Novices’ Chase at Kempton) would be an obvious starting point and we could get him back at the end of February if the ground is acceptable.

“He can’t have a bad season full stop, as he has just won a £75,000 race.”



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Harry Cobden likely to have short spell on sidelines

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Champion National Hunt jockey Harry Cobden is set for a short spell on the sidelines after appearing to damage knee ligaments in a fall at Stratford on Sunday.

Cobden – one of the stars of the ‘Champions: Full Gallop’ docuseries on ITV – was partnering Kick Up A Storm for his boss Paul Nicholls in the opening Hiorns Hats Handicap Hurdle when he was unseated at the third flight of hurdles.

He gave up his remaining mounts on the card and missed out on a winner as the Nicholls-trained Matterhorn landed the John Murtagh 60th Birthday Handicap Chase in the hands the deputising Nico de Boinville.

Nicholls told Racing TV: “I think he’s hurt some ligaments in his knee is what he said and he thought it would be two or three weeks off.

“If there’s a time of year to do that it’s now, so hopefully he’ll be back soon.”

Nicholls and De Boinville struck again when Soir De Gala (5-2 favourite) took extended two-mile-three-furlong handicap chase.

Sandwiched between those two victories was another for Ditcheat, courtesy of the Harry Skelton-ridden Brave Knight (8-15 favourite).



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Champion jockey Cobden salutes Nicholls’ contribution to title victory

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Harry Cobden has hailed the influence of Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat operation after fulfilling a childhood dream and becoming champion jockey.

Cobden held off his one-time stable comrade and friend Sean Bowen in a good-spirited title battle that went right down to the final days of the season.

The Ditcheat number one sealed the title with a double at Chepstow on Friday evening which took him seven winners clear of Bowen, who had four rides booked on the final day.

Harry Cobden (left) gets his trophy off AP McCoy
Harry Cobden (left) gets his trophy off AP McCoy (John Walton/PA)

“It’s a childhood dream and something I’ve always wanted to achieve and I’m delighted,” said Cobden.

“You can’t do this without a big trainer behind you and when you have a powerful yard with 140 horses, it makes things a lot easier.

“He’s got very strong owners and a good team, right the way from Clifford Baker to the girls who come in and ride out in the mornings, they are all an integral part of the team and I couldn’t do it without any of them.

“It’s not ideal and slightly disappointing that Paul hasn’t won (the trainers’ championship) but we have perhaps missed a few of our good horses this year and it would have been a good party if we could have both done it.”

Harry Cobden has thrived in the saddle this term
Harry Cobden has thrived in the saddle this term (Mike Egerton/PA)

At Christmas it looked as though Bowen would be crowned champion as he held a hefty lead, but that all changed after the 26-year-old suffered an injury on Boxing Day which kept him on the sidelines until early February.

Cobden took full advantage of Bowen’s absence, erasing the majority of the healthy advantage the Welshman had built up, with the duo then pushing themselves to the limits in the closing months of the campaign.

However, Cobden admits a title charge had not really crossed his mind until that defining Boxing Day moment, when he realised he had the right man behind him in Nicholls to give a championship tilt a good go.

“I was so far behind and Sean looked to have it in the bag and unfortunately Sean got injured and it levelled the table a bit,” continued Cobden.

“I’ve never had a cross word with Sean in seven years of sitting next to him and obviously we’re both going for the same thing, but it wasn’t until the first week in January that I thought I had a realistic chance.

“When he came back we were nil-nil and I had a really good spell through February and March was pretty good. There has been no tension between us at all and it’s been really good fun and something I’ve really enjoyed.

“We’re sat right next to each other and it’s been like that since time has begun really. We’re a similar age and we started a similar time.

“We’ve both ridden a lot more winners than ever before and ridden for a lot more people than we ever have done, but I just thought if he hit a little flat spot and Paul’s horses got into a gear, I could give him a run for his money.”

Harry Cobden tasted Cheltenham Festival success aboard Monmiral
Harry Cobden tasted Cheltenham Festival success aboard Monmiral (Adam Davy/PA)

Cobden also reserved special praise for his agent Sam Stronge, who has been a vital cog in his championship victory.

The 25-year-old has taken more rides than any previous year he has held a licence and he credits Stronge with enabling him to form vital connections with new trainers and owners in the closing months of the campaign.

He said: “It’s been an amazing year and I think previously the most rides I had ever had was just short of 600, whereas this season I’ve had over 720 rides and Sam Stronge has been fantastic for my career and put me on lots of very good horses.

“I’ve made lots of new connections with owners and trainers and Sam has put a lot of effort and work in and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls have formed a formidable combination
Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls have formed a formidable combination (Steven Paston/PA)

Cobden’s boss Nicholls has made no secret of his desire to make his number one the first champion jockey based out of Ditcheat and feels this victory justifies the way he has embraced his hugely-pressurised position in recent years.

“It’s fantastic for the team and for Harry in particular, he’s been riding very well this year and he deserves it,” said Nicholls.

“He’s stayed injury free, ridden plenty of great winners for us and gone out and picked up plenty of spare rides, so it’s good he has won this for the team.

“He’s improved enormously with experience and he’s still a relatively young jockey and he’s only going to improve again with more experience. Experience in sport is a massive thing and he’s a complete jockey now who rides extremely well.

“He’s one of the best out there and there’s some good lads out there, but he’s one of the best and he’s come on well the last few years.

“There’s been lots of great days this year, a couple of rides he’s given Ginny’s Destiny when he’s won on him have been brilliant, but he’s been consistent all the way through. To be champion jockey there isn’t just one standout but lots of them and he’s been riding them very well this year.

“He’s great to work with and a good team player who everyone is fond of. I’ve never heard anyone have a cross word with him and I never have any owners saying they don’t want to use him, so he’s just the ultimate team player.”

Patrick Wadge, who is attached to Lucinda Russell’s yard, took the conditional riders’ title while JP McManus was the leading owner this term.



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Harry Cobden wraps up title triumph in Chepstow opener

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Harry Cobden has been crowned champion jockey for the first time following the victory of Spring Gale at Chepstow.

That win took Cobden six clear of his nearest pursuer Sean Bowen, who despite being on the scoresheet himself at Perth, can no longer catch him, with only four booked rides at Sandown on Saturday.

While Cobden’s victory has looked assured for some time, given Bowen was out of action for almost six weeks in the heart of the season, the Welshman kept him honest until the penultimate day, with his main backer Olly Murphy hitting form just fractionally too late to make up the ground.

Spring Gale, the 5-2 favourite, is trained by Henry Daly, a yard Cobden is unlikely to have ridden for if not involved in a title charge.

Following his win in the Dunraven Windows Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, Cobden told Sky Sports Racing: “Lovely job. Someone asked me how I felt earlier on and I said it felt like a birthday, it felt like something special happened, but it hasn’t really sunk in, I suppose.

“She did it nicely, she was very tough, Henry gave me the perfect instructions, he said she stayed well and she’s good and hardy and that’s exactly what she is, she’ll jump a fence one day and is a nice mare.”

Cobden, the principal jockey for the Paul Nicholls stable, has found himself riding for more and more outside yards in recent weeks and it is something that he will continue to do in the coming seasons.

He said: “It’s been incredible. I’ve had the best part of 730 rides, made some new connections with great owners and trainers and I’ve had a fantastic season with Paul as well.

“We’ve had a couple of Grade One winners, Pic D’Orhy was probably the highlight there. It’s just been really busy but I’ve had a great time and enjoyed it.”

Just for good measure, Cobden finished off the evening meeting with a win on the Nicholls-trained Florencethemachine (9-2) in the Braceys Handicap Hurdle.

“It’s good for him,” said Nicholls. “It’s been a pretty stressy two or three weeks really. Obviously, we wanted him to finish in front, it’s a fantastic effort.

“He’s only a young fella and he’s come a long way from his first winner for us, which I think was at Wincanton when he was just 16.

“He deserves it, he’s put a lot into it this year. I’m not sure he actually enjoys driving everywhere every single day of the week but he’s done well and he’s riding so well.”

Nicholls also paid tribute to former Ditcheat academy graduate Bowen, adding: “Sean is a very good jockey as well, he rode a lot of winners for us and I’m sure he’ll be champion jockey before too long as well. I’m proud of all of them.”



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Battling Bowen vows to keep pushing title rival Cobden

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Win, lose, or draw, Sean Bowen is determined to take plenty of pride from his jockeys’ championship battle with Harry Cobden, which is set to go right down to the wire.

The 26-year-old had built up a substantial lead before suffering an injury at Aintree on Boxing Day.

His time on the sidelines allowed Cobden the perfect opportunity to gain some serious momentum and by the time the Welshman returned to the saddle in early February, his advantage had been eroded to just four.

Since then, the duo have embarked on a ding-dong battle for weighing room supremacy and although Cobden now holds a slender lead with only the final throngs of the season to come, Bowen can be content with his title-chasing efforts.

Sean Bowen has enjoyed a stellar season
Sean Bowen has enjoyed a stellar season (David Davies/PA)

“It’s incredible that I have even got within five (at one stage) with the injury I had and I take a good bit of pride in the fact I have got as many winners as I have and have kept fighting to the end,” Bowen said during a media call organised by Great British Racing.

“Whether I win or lose, I haven’t given it up. It’s not impossible and it has been made a bit harder by Harry riding his winners at Taunton (on Wednesday), but there is no need to stop fighting now, there’s only a few days left.

“I’ve made it quite clear, I’m mad about being champion jockey and hopefully I will have a good few days. But if it doesn’t happen, then next year will be just as important and I will be trying to rattle off as many winners as possible, rack up a lead and hopefully not lose that lead next time.”

Bowen’s injury, suffered when taking a nasty fall from Gordon Elliott’s Farren Glory in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle, has ultimately played a crucial role in this season’s championship.

Sean Bowen made a rapid return from injury
Sean Bowen made a rapid return from injury (David Davies/PA)

During that time on the sidelines, he had to watch on as Cobden not only ate away at his championship lead but also boot home winners that would invariably have been his own, such as Noble Yeats in the Cleeve Hurdle

However, Bowen is philosophical about his time away from the saddle and having initially thought he would be ruled out for the rest of the season, before the assistance of the Oaksey House rehabilitation centre and Dr Jerry Hill helped him make a rapid recovery, he acknowledges injuries are part and parcel of being a jumps jockey.

Bowen said: “It’s a part of racing and I’m not the first person it has happened to. I had six or seven weeks off, which is a long time in racing, and if I was able to just ride five or six winners over that time, I would be level with Harry.

“There were days where it hurt more than others and that first phone call of Dr Jerry Hill saying I would be out for the rest of the season was not a good day, and there were others as well where I missed big winners, Noble Yeats being one at Cheltenham.

Sean Bowen guided Strong Leader to Grade One glory at Aintree
Sean Bowen guided Strong Leader to Grade One glory at Aintree (Mike Egerton/PA)

“So there were days that were more annoying than others but I never got too down about it and at the same time, I’ve had a great season. I’ve had over 150 winners and two Grade One winners, so I don’t have much to complain about.”

One of the hallmarks of this season’s title race has been the good nature of the competition between two riders who are graduates of the same Ditcheat academy and have been weighing room companions since their teenage years.

The two table-toppers sit side by side in the changing rooms, allowing plenty of light-hearted ribbing to take place in the midst of a hard-fought battle.

“It’s been fun and it would obviously be more fun if I was the one leading it and not Harry,” continued Bowen.

“We’ve had plenty of banter about it in the weighing room and no fallings out. I know a few championships that have gone to the wire have ended in a few arguments, but this one hasn’t.”

Meanwhile, Cobden has admitted to having some nerves as the finishing line approaches, with Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey now the man being pursued by his long-time friend – and he is yet to fully consider what it will mean to lift the trophy aloft at Sandown on Saturday afternoon.

“I must admit I was getting a bit jittery,” said Cobden.

“I was quite relaxed about it 10 days ago when I was 15 clear and I thought it would be a miracle for Sean to pull that back, but the last 10 days I’ve barely ridden a winner, so it’s been quite difficult and Sean has been riding loads of winners.

Jockey Harry Cobden is hoping to become champion jockey for the first time
Jockey Harry Cobden is hoping to become champion jockey for the first time (Adam Davy/PA)

“When he clawed back 10 in as many days, I thought I need to pull my finger out here and thankfully Wednesday night was good and I’ve a good book of rides to come.

“I suppose he is unlucky because he has had five weeks out and I would say if Sean Bowen couldn’t ride five winners in five weeks, then it would be a bad job – and if he wasn’t injured, I would say it would be me chasing him at the moment.

“I haven’t thought about winning yet, as I don’t want to count my chickens until they hatch. It’s very much business as usual until Saturday and although I’m seven clear and there’s only three days left of racing, Sean Bowen is riding out of his skin and could pull anything off.”



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Cobden ‘can’t wait’ to ride Noble Yeats in Grand National

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Harry Cobden feels he finally has a chance of getting involved at the business end of the Randox Grand National after confirmation he will keep the ride on the 2022 winner, Noble Yeats.

Since the retirement of Sam Waley-Cohen, son of owner Robert, Sean Bowen had been riding the Emmet Mullins-trained nine-year-old, and he was on board when he ran a brave race to finish fourth to Corach Rambler last year.

With Bowen on the sidelines through injury earlier this year, his championship rival Cobden picked up the ride in the Cleeve Hurdle, which they won, and he maintained the partnership in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

While unplaced there, connections have decided to stick with Cobden for Aintree.

Noble Yeats created history under amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen
Noble Yeats created history under amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (Steven Paston/PA)

“I’m really looking forward to riding Noble Yeats in the Grand National. He’s trained by a very shrewd man in Emmet Mullins who knows how to ready a horse for this race as he did so well a couple of years ago when Sam Waley-Cohen rode him to victory,” said Cobden in his blog for Planet Sport.

“I’m glad I’ve had a couple of goes on him now because it does take a bit of time to understand how best to ride him. I know plenty about him, but I’ll definitely watch his two National runs back before the big day.

“Connections are quite keen for the ground to dry up a bit as he’s probably slightly more effective on a sounder surface, so let’s hope there isn’t too much rain between now and the race.”

He went on: “To have a genuine chance in the National is fantastic. Every other ride I’ve had in it hasn’t really had much going for it, so to know he stays the trip and has plenty of experience over the fences is great and I’m very excited.

“I haven’t had much success in the National itself, but I won the Topham a couple of times aboard Ultragold, so I do know the sort of horse required to go well around there. Unfortunately I don’t often get to the second circuit in the big race itself, so let’s hope that changes this year!

“It’s the biggest and most well-known race of the season and it would be amazing to win it. To me it’s only second to the Gold Cup and of course I’d love to win it. I’m very lucky to have a horse this year that has a proper chance and I can’t wait to have a crack at winning it on him.”



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Harry Cobden successful in suspension appeal

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Harry Cobden’s hopes of winning the 2023-24 champion jump jockey title were boosted after he successfully appealed a three-day suspension imposed at the Cheltenham Festival.

The ban was initially handed out by the raceday stewards at the meeting when they deemed Cobden to have ridden carelessly aboard Handstands in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.

The horse finished sixth and was judged to have interfered with the progress of Ile Atlantique and Predators Gold, both trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick and Danny Mullins respectively.

That finding was contested at the appeal and the panel, chaired by James O’Mahony, found in Cobden’s favour and overturned the suspension.

Those three days he is now free to ride could prove pivotal for the jockey, who is locked in a title race with Sean Bowen and was 12 winners ahead at the end of the action on Friday.



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Cobden confident Bravemans can up his game for Gold Cup challenge

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Harry Cobden is expecting Bravemansgame to peak at the right time, as the duo try to turn the tables on Galopin Des Champs in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls’ star staying chaser jumped the last matching strides with Willie Mullins’ big-race favourite in the blue riband 12 months ago, but it was Galopin Des Champs who pulled out extra in the lung-busting run to the line, with Cobden and Bravemansgame having to settle for a silver medal.

The 25-year-old jockeys’ championship leader is fully aware the defending champion is the one to beat again this week, but is confident Bravemansgame is capable of getting involved in the shake-up and can massively outrun his current odds of around 16-1.

“His preparations have gone very well and he’s schooling well at home,” said Cobden.

“He feels great and worked brilliantly at Kempton last week. I’m very much looking forward to the Gold Cup and I thought he was a big price when I looked at it.

“Obviously, Galopin Des Champs is the horse to beat and I would never say Galopin Des champs isn’t, because on his day, he is definitely the best horse in the race.

“It was no fluke what he did last year and he’s been brilliant on many other occasions, so we have got to step up and we’ve got a bit to find, or we are hoping he is not at his best. But I do think he has a massive chance.”

Bravemansgame was prominent throughout last season’s Gold Cup, while Paul Townend received plenty of plaudits for the way he smuggled Galopin Des Champs into the race and eliminated any lingering stamina doubts.

Ladbrokes Christmas Festival – Day One – Kempton Racecourse
Harry Cobden celebrates winning the 2022 King George VI Chase aboard Bravemansgame (John Walton/PA)

Cobden has pondered whether it may be worth a change of plan for the Bryan Drew-owned gelding’s second crack at Gold Cup glory – and with Galopin Des Champs himself ridden more enterprisingly this season, it could now be team Ditcheat who play cat to Closutton’s mouse.

He continued: “I could possibly ride him a little differently and maybe we follow him?

“I don’t know and we’ve still got a few days to work it out and discuss it with Paul, and if he turned up and finished in the first three, we would be delighted. But we will be riding him to win the race rather than go out to run well.”

The nine-year-old had to settle for second best three times in a frustrating first half of the season for connections and was last seen narrowly failing in the defence of his King George title, as the fast-finishing Hewick flew home to snatch victory.

However, Cobden feels three runs in a short space of time were a contributing factor to his Kempton reversal and that a fresher Bravemansgame promises to be a whole different proposition in Friday’s showpiece event.

“The thing many people forget is he had a hard race at Haydock only 28 or 29 days before that and that took a lot out of him,” he went on.

“He didn’t have the best preparation in the world for the King George and Paul is well aware of that, he would be the first to tell you. I know we can get him better than when he ran at Kempton. He’s had lots of time, he’s fresh, he’s well and he’ll run his race.”

Although missing out on the Festival’s biggest prize in 2023, Cobden walked away from his week in the Cotswolds with two winners courtesy of Stage Star and Stay Away Fay.

Stay Away Fay en route to Festival glory 12 months ago
Stay Away Fay en route to Festival glory 12 months ago (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)

Both are back seeking a repeat, with Stay Away Fay another Ditcheat inmate tasked with taking on a short-priced favourite from Mullins’ all-conquering string when going toe-to-toe with Fact To File in Wednesday’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

“There’s not many runners in it, but I think it will be competitive,” added Cobden.

“Fact To File looks a class horse and we’re dropping back into novice company after running in the Cotswold Chase.

“I thought the prep run in the Cotswold Chase was a brilliant experience for a young horse and he didn’t have a massively hard race. Paul said he would improve from that fitness-wise.”

Jockey Harry Cobden has an exciting book of Cheltenham Festival rides
Jockey Harry Cobden has an exciting book of Cheltenham Festival rides (Nigel French/PA)

It will be far from Cobden’s busiest Cheltenham Festival ever, but the jockey is excited about some of the quality he has to look forward to among his book of rides.

He nominated Fred Winter candidate Liari as a potential Nicholls dark horse, while Ginny’s Destiny and Captain Teague are two other top-quality operators Cobden can look forward to from the champion trainer’s Cheltenham squad.

The four-time Festival winner has also picked up some exceptional outside rides which include Ben Pauling’s Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle hope Handstands – whom he partnered to Sidney Banks success at Huntingdon – and handicap fancies Theatre Man and Libberty Hunter.

He is also poised to maintain the ride on Emmet Mullins’ Stayers’ Hurdle contender Noble Yeats after steering him to victory in the Cleeve Hurdle last month, ironically a mount title rival Sean Bowen has partnered six times in the past, including in last year’s Gold Cup and Grand National.

Noble Yeats and Cobden (orange/brown silks) in action in the Cleeve Hurdle
Noble Yeats and Cobden (orange/brown silks) in action in the Cleeve Hurdle (Nigel French/PA)

He said: “I haven’t got the rides of Paul Townend and I wouldn’t have the shorties he has, but it looks to be an exciting book of rides and there will be lots of lads in the weighing room that would love to be on them, so I am very grateful.

“I’m hoping to ride Noble Yeats in the Stayers’ and although it won’t be the busiest week I’ve ever had, there will be 12 or 13 good rides with chances and if I can nick one winner I will be very pleased.

“I’m looking forward to riding Theatre Man in the Plate for Richard Bandey, he will have a good chance and is a great spare to pick up. I will also be on Libberty Hunter for Evan Williams in the Grand Annual and I thought he was relatively unexposed compared to some of the others in the field.

“Liari would be the best handicap chance of Paul’s, I would have thought. I know he has top-weight but he could be a horse that is still improving. He has done nothing wrong and is three from three, it will be a big ask to win the Fred Winter off that weight, but he is a very nice horse.”



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