Cobden Excited For Cheltenham Gold Cup Challenge

Stepping into the role of Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey is a daunting prospect for any jockey in the weighing room, but 20-year-old Harry Cobden has grasped the opportunity with both hands.

It’s been a National Hunt season packed with plenty of winners for both Nicholls and Cobden. Nicholls has already broken through the 100 winner barrier for the season and Cobden isn’t far behind with 91 successes so far and an impressive strike rate of 23%. Whilst the singular highlight was no doubt the King George VI victory of Clan Des Obeaux at Kempton, he hit the front pages again with more big race wins at Ascot recently.

Speaking exclusively to gg.co.uk, Cobden gives an insight into the day at Ascot after the successes of Clan Des Obeaux in the Denman Chase and Cyrname in the Ascot Chase.

“It was an incredible day and definitely one to remember. You just get an absolute buzz. The atmosphere at places like Ascot is brilliant. I went to The Manor at Ditcheat to celebrate with the staff afterwards, but I only stayed for about half an hour as I had to make the three hour trek to Huntingdon the next day.”

Cobden heads into the Cheltenham Festival this year as one of the star names on everyone’s lips and his most high profile ride will be Clan Des Obeaux in the Gold Cup, with only Presenting Percy ahead of him in the betting.

Cobden told GG just how this horse has progressed this season. “I feel like he has massively progressed from the time I rode him in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and he is still improving. His jumping on Saturday was so slick, I have huge confidence in this horse.”

He jumped the last to perfection, just like he did in the King George’ and he’s dreaming of Gold Cup success already, “To ride any horse at the Cheltenham Festival is absolutely fantastic but having a ride in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is a dream come true for me. I remember those days when I was still at school and watching it on the TV. It’s really exciting for the owners and staff and I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well with Clan in the run up to the festival and he delivers on the day.”

Whilst Cheltenham isn’t on the horizon for the mighty Cyrname, a clash with Altior at the end of the season would have racing fans very excited and Cobden’s not afraid to take on Henderson’s champion, “Altior has the perfect form figures and is a true champion in his own right. I would not be afraid of taking any horse on with Cyrname. It will be an interesting race to say the least when the pair meet.”

Many have been surprised with Cyrname’s progress this season and Harry is not shy in giving praise to his boss Paul Nicholls for his role in getting the most out of this talented French-bred “He has not been the easiest horse to train or ride since coming from France but Mr Nicholls has done a brilliant job with settling him and giving him the confidence, he needs. I always thought he was going to be a good horse, but I did not think he would be currently the highest rated horse in training.”