Young jockey Harry Cobden has really put himself amongst the elite this season winning some big Grade 1 contests and is close to gaining his 100th winner of the season.
Yesterday he took his tally to 99 for the season when Birds Of Prey for trainer Paul Nicholls landed the first race of the day at Taunton to make it fourth time lucky over obstacles.
Cobden has had his best season to date gaining a huge amount of winners mainly for Paul Nicholls being his number one rider this season and overall he has landed three Grade 1s.
His first of the season and arguably his most special was on board Clan Des Obeaux in the King George VI Stakes at Kempton on Boxing day.
His second came at Ascot on the highly impressive Cyrname who landed the Betfair Ascot Chase and his most recent came at the Cheltenham festival with a perfectly timed ride on Topofthegame in the RSA Chase.
(Credit At The Races) The 20 year old jockey said: “I knew I was always going to win after the last, because he has got that bit of Flat speed, but I didn’t want to hit the front too soon. It is great for the owners, because they have been very patient with the horse.
“He is getting better and better all the time. He would appreciate better ground, because it is a bit dead out there – and that just zaps his class.
“I should already be on a 100 winners and I have been a bit unfortunate recently – but I hope I’ll get there in the next few days.”
Cobden has had a season to remember and with plenty of opportunities to add some more Grade 1 wins to his CV he will be chomping at the bit for the Aintree Grand National Festival.
Nicholls has put his trust in young jockeys more so than ever this season with Bryony Frost also being a big part of his team down in Ditcheat but he has seeped the rewards for taking his chances on the young riders.
As for Cobden's 99th winner of the season Birds Of Prey looks set for Sandown on the final day of the jumps season.
(Credit At The Races) Harry Derham, assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls, said: “It was a messy old race, and they didn’t go fast, but it’s job done.
“There is a £100,000 novice handicap hurdle at Sandown on the last day of the season which he will go for now.”