Five JP McManus-owned horses Harry Cobden will be looking forward to riding

Horse Racing

Racing365
February 12, 2026 8:54 pm

Huge news broke in the jumps racing sphere recently, as Harry Cobden was revealed as the new retained rider for esteemed owner JP McManus.

The deal includes the choice of all the Irish billionaire’s horses in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which will give him the opportunity to ride elite thoroughbreds.

While it doesn’t come into play until the end of the season in May, having a rider of Cobden’s ability on board will certainly help McManus’ mounts become more favourable in the horse racing betting market.

It’s a move that adds an extra layer of intrigue to next season, so without further ado, let’s take a look at five of the horses Cobden might be the most excited about getting on board.

Inothewayurthinkin

As the defending Gold Cup holder, Inothewayurthinkin carries the biggest honours of any of McManus’ current horses.
He’s probably one of the runners that Cobden wishes he could jump on sooner, as the eight-year-old will be out to make it back-to-back victories in the Cheltenham Festival showpiece in March.

The 27-year-old will have to wait until next season, but there’s still a chance for him to win big races aboard Inothewayurthinkin.

That may include a hat-trick attempt in the Gold Cup, or conversely, a redemption bid to regain the crown, depending on how things go in the spring.

Fact To File

Another potential Cheltenham Festival winner for McManus in March, Fact To File will be out to defend his Ryanair Chase title on the third day of the meeting, where he’s favourite in the Cheltenham odds.

The nine-year-old was once billed as a Gold Cup contender in his younger days, but that never materialised.
He’s still a quality horse on his day, despite some claiming that his powers are dwindling, and there’s every chance that Cobden can add to his Grade 1 tally on Fact To File.

The New Lion

There’s plenty of debate as to whether Cobden will get this ride, as there was an agreement that Harry Skelton would keep riding The New Lion for brother Dan Skelton when McManus purchased the horse off its previous owner.

However, Cobden’s new job role appears to strike a line through that, and he will likely be the rider for The New Lion next year. After all, when you’re McManus’ retained rider, you want access to his best horses.

And The New Lion is certainly up there in the pecking order. Indeed, he fell in the Fighting Fight Hurdle at Newcastle when last seen, but still has a live chance in the Champion Hurdle.

Plus, he’s only seven years old. So, even if he doesn’t land the Champion Hurdle this season. There’s still plenty of time for him to come back and win Grade 1s in the future.

Narciso Has

The first up-and-comer on our list, Narciso Has has made quite the impression since joining Willie Mullins this season.

Second on debut in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in November, the four-year-old came on leaps and bounds when landing a Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

He’s on course for a Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival later this month before a potential tilt at the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

With plenty of potential and a good few years ahead of him, Narciso Has and Cobden could enjoy several big-race successes together.

Impose Toi

Nicky Henderson and McManus have had a great relationship over the years, but Cobden has little experience at Seven Barrows and even less success riding for the veteran trainer, failing to win on the three times they have combined.
This new job role has the potential to change all that. McManus has several horses in training with Henderson, including fan favourite Jonbon, but Impose Toi might be the most appealing based on recent form.

The eight-year-old has progressed from a high-level handicapper to a Grade 1 winner in the space of three runs this season—winning a Class 2 at Aintree, a Grade 2 at Newbury, then the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot most recently.

Impose Toi is certainly up there amongst the best in the Stayers’ Hurdle division, and while he might not beat some of the Irish contenders like Teahupoo at Cheltenham this year, he has age on his side and could progress even further next year.