Cobden: The De Obo clan is my greatest likelihood for Aintree to succeed

Cobden: The De Obo clan is my best chance for Aintree to succeed

Two-time King George’s Jockey Harry Cobden Clan de Obo has nominated his greatest likelihood to win Antry later this week on Merseyside.

The ten-year-old coached by Paul Nichols upset final time round at Denman Chase, ending third after being overwhelmed by greater than ten lengths by Eldorado Allen of Colin Tzard Area.

However he was equally battered on this Newbury race in 2023, earlier than demolishing the sector at Betway Bowl in Aintree after which defeating two-time Gold Cup winner Poto Fotos in Punchestown.

Sir Alex Ferguson, owner of Clan Des Obeaux, receives the Betway Bowl at Aintree
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Sir Alex Ferguson, proprietor of Clan Des Obeaux, receives the Betway Bowl at Aintree

And whereas Cobden was upset with the profession of Clain de Oppo – partly owned by Sir Alex Ferguson – at Newbury final month, he’s assured of returning to Liverpool.

“I feel it is my greatest likelihood of the week on Thursday, if not my greatest likelihood of the week,” Cobden mentioned. “He behaves very effectively on the market and is doing rather well at residence.

“Final 12 months was comparable, it was a disappointment in Newbury however our horses could not have been doing effectively at that time.

“He is undoubtedly the category horse within the race and I would say he is the one to beat him.”

Courage game
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Unbeaten Bravemansgame on fences for Paul Nicholls

I can’t commerce Bravemans

That is the assertion made by retained jockey Nichols, particularly when you think about that he is additionally taking the undefeated Bravemansgame Tour of the First Division, which is predicted to compete with pageant winner L’Homme Presse within the Mildmay Novices chase.

He’s taking a look at selecting to experience Cobden on Friday, with the rookie rider indicating he will not commerce what he sees for something within the race, together with two-time Class One winner Venetia Williams.

“I’ve nice enjoyable driving – 5 good rides on Thursday, 4 or 5 on Friday and 4 good rides on Saturday so I am very joyful,” he added.

“He’s in excellent form. Clearly we must beat an excellent wanting Venetia (L’Homme Presse) horse and a good horse that received at Cheltenham on the final day.

The missing translation recovered to form a victory in 1965 Chase in November
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The lacking translation recovered to kind a victory in 1965 Chase in November

“It is a aggressive race however I would not commerce it for any of the others.”

On the Grand Nationwide itself, Cobden will experience a translation of Colin Tizard’s Lostintranslation, who began the season with a victory within the 1965 Chase race at Ascot however has since struggled in aggressive racing.

Nonetheless, he completed eighth within the Ultima Handicap Chase on the Cheltenham Pageant, and a few latest schooling on Nationwide Fences has given Cobden hope for an enormous race.

“I am glad to experience it,” he mentioned. “I went to David Pipe’s final week and studied it over the nationwide fences and it jumped rather well.

Sunbury, England - Feb 26: Harry Cobden rides Pic D'  Orhy (R) cleared last to win The Coral Pendil Novices' #39;  Chase at Kempton Park Racetrack on February 26, 2023 in Sunbury, England.  (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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Harry Cobden rides Pic D’Orhy (R) final wipe to win The Coral Pendil Novices chase in Kimpton

“I suppose the primary half of the race he’ll attempt to win within the second half.

“He has to journey, contact wooden, and leap rather well. [Colin] Tizzard is nice to experience, he will not give me a lot directions.

“I suppose it is all about staying on and turning on the primary circuit and beginning to consider the race after we come again down for the final time.

“We wish to have a very good Aintree and I wish to preserve it [Paul Nicholls] And the house owners are joyful so a very good Aintree might be very good and put us in a very good place for the previous couple of weeks of the season.”