HARRY COBDEN has one of the best jobs in racing as the No1 jockey for JP McManus.
But does he have what it takes to become a tipster too?
Paddy Power put him to the test in their big jumps season preview , getting Cobden to name his winner of every feature race at .
Cobden, in his role as main man in the green and gold silks, can expect a monster book of rides over those four days in March.
And it’s no surprise one horse his boss owns was the clear choice for one of the main Grade 1s.
But it’s the Champion Hurdle where we start – and an easy choice.
Cobden said 5-4 fav Lossiemouth will defend her title.
He reckons Willie Mullins will make it another successful title defence with 2-1 fav Il Etait Temps in the Champion Chase.
Things get a bit interesting in the Ryanair, where Cobden says ‘hopefully’ 5-1 fav Fact To File wins.
He was last March on account of the ground.
Willie Mullins threatened to boycott the Festival if conditions were not – in his opinion – made safer for his horses.
There is a chance Fact To File, who will be ten in March, goes for the Gold Cup.
But Cobden said: “In terms of the Gold Cup or Ryanair – I’d say the latter.
“You know he stays that distance well and it’s usually a weaker division. If I was making the call, I’d go there and try to win the Gold Cup with something else.
“He’d have a great chance of winning the Ryanair.”
And things get very interesting in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
McManus’ The New Lion is the current 8-1 fav but trainer Dan Skelton has been non-committal on where he actually runs.
A former Turners winner, he has been entered in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle over two miles and been tipped up for the Champion Hurdle.
Cobden refused to be drawn on whether he will ride The New Lion or if Harry Skelton will keep the mount.
But on his Stayers’ Hurdle prospects, he said he has the staying power to win.
He also predicts another repeat in the Gold Cup with 7-4 fav Gaelic Warrior tipped to defend his crown.
Added all together, those five make up a monster 890-1 acca with Paddy Power.
As for the Grand National, Cobden is looking to Joseph O’Brien at 16-1 Jordans.
Jockey Ben Jones was kicking himself for going for home too early last April.
But Cobden reckons the horse has what it takes to beat his boss’ horse I Am Maximus in his bid for a record-equalling third Grand National.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our .
