Harry Cobden’s breakthrough Festival victory came on 33-1 shot Kilbricken Storm in the 2018 Albert Bartlett and he followed that up when winning the RSA Chase on Topofthegame a year later, by which time he had become stable jockey to Paul Nicholls. He missed out on a high-profile success with Politologue in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last year – when Harry Skelton was on board – but he takes the ride this time for the defending champion’s repeat bid. Here are his best chances of success.
Bravemansgame – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
Cobden and trainer Paul Nicholls have made no secret of their admiration for Bravemansgame, who shot to the top of the Ballymore betting after an impressive win in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in December. Ireland have two big challengers in Gaillard Du Mesnil and Bob Olinger – both also Grade 1 winners – but Bravemansgame’s Challow win is arguably the strongest piece of form on offer and he rates as Cobden’s best chance of
a Festival winner.
Politologue – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Defending champion Politologue claimed the two-mile crown last season under Harry Skelton but was reunited with Cobden in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January, where they were eclipsed by the boldly ridden winner First Flow. Prior to that, Politologue had enhanced an already admirable record at the top level with a fourth career Grade 1 in the Tingle Creek, and Cobden can be confident this consistent performer will run his race in the Champion. Whether that’s enough to beat hot favourite Chacun Pour Soi remains to be seen, but he is not without hope of giving Cobden his biggest Festival win so far.
Southfield Harvest – Pertemps Final Handicap
Southfield Harvest hasn’t won this season but he has gone close on all three starts and has long had the Pertemps Final as his target. Still lightly raced at the three-mile Pertemps trip, there could be plenty more to come and trainer Paul Nicholls has been notably upbeat about the seven-year-old’s chances of going one better than his half-brother Southfield Theatre, who lost out by a nose in the 2014 Pertemps.
Real Steel – Ryanair Chase
Real Steel outran his 50-1 starting price in last year’s Gold Cup, when still in contention turning for home before his effort petered out. A switch from Willie Mullins to Paul Nicholls followed and he didn’t really fire when Cobden rode him for the first time in a Grade 2 at Ascot after a 253-day break. But he ran well in the King George next time until fading suddenly (later reported to have bled in the race) and the step down to two-and-a-half miles in the Ryanair should be ideal for him. Cobden could ride Greaneteen if he runs, but Real Steel looks the more interesting contender.
Barbados Buck’s – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Barbados Buck’s impressed when defying a 10lb penalty to complete a hat-trick in a Kempton novice hurdle in January, after which Paul Nicholls nominated the Albert Bartlett as the target. This relative to the stable’s legendary staying hurdler Big Buck’s was one of four in contention at the second-last of that three-mile contest but he picked up really strongly after the last to settle the contest with apparent ease. The Albert Bartlett will be a big step up in class for him, but he is on the upgrade and, with six career starts and a point-to-point run behind him, he has the experience that so often proves an asset in this the race.
Next Destination – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Injury kept Next Destination off the track for two and a half years but he returned with a good second over hurdles to high-class mare Roksana on his debut for the Nicholls stable. Switched to fences, he quickly registered a pair of Grade 2 successes over staying trips. He has it all to do against hot favourite Monkfish but his decent Festival form – fourth in the 2017 Champion Bumper and third in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle the following year – gives him a solid each-way chance.