Title-chasing Harry Cobden hits Wincanton treble

Rival Harry Skelton rides four winners at Stratford.

Harry Cobden kept himself in the race for the jockeys’ championship by riding a treble at Wincanton on Monday.

The 22-year-old began the day 13 winners behind reigning champion Brian Hughes’ tally of 126 for the season, with Harry Skelton splitting the pair on 120.

Skelton made significant inroads with a four-timer at Stratford, where Hughes also got on the scoreboard, while Cobden landed three of the first four races in Somerset – moving him to the 116-winner mark with three and a half weeks of the campaign left to go.

He said: “I had four nice rides today and had three winners and a third, so I’m very happy with that.”

Confirmation Bias passes the stands in front at Wincanton
Confirmation Bias passes the stands in front at Wincanton (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Cobden teamed up with boss Paul Nicholls for his first two winners, with Confirmation Bias and Danny Kirwan both impressing.

Confirmation Bias was the 7-4 favourite for the opening Racing TV Extra ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle and displayed a willing attitude to see off Gold Link by a length and three-quarters.

“It was nice to see him put his head down and gallop right to the line today,” Cobden continued.

“It was a good, solid performance and I think he appreciated the better ground.”

The Cobden-Nicholls combination hit the mark again an hour later, with 5-4 shot Danny Kirwan making virtually every yard of the running and pulling 14 lengths clear of market rival Beyond The Pale in the Bet At racingtv.com Novices’ Hurdle.

Cobden said: “He’s a classy horse and is probably just a bit better than the horses he was up against today on this sort of ground.

“He’s a nice, big, imposing type who should be an exciting chaser next year.”

The rider completed his hat-trick aboard the Colin Tizzard-trained Kauto The King (3-1) in the Dot Tolson Memorial Handicap Chase.

Runners in action at Wincanton
Runners in action at Wincanton (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

On his chances of landing the jockeys’ championship, Cobden added: “You never know in racing, anything can happen.”

There was a shock result in the concluding Visit racingtv.com Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, with Catchin Time scoring at huge odds of 125-1.

Ridden by 7lb claimer Peter Summers, the Laura Hurley-trained 13-year-old cruised to victory – his first since February 2017.

Summers said: “I’ve been riding for six years now and that’s my first winner. It’s only my second ride under Rules.

“It is a really special day for me. He is a lovely little horse.”

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