Fresh from his 1,000th career winner, Harry Cobden is looking forward to a fruitful National Hunt campaign and has singled out three horses part-owned by Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson
Leading rider Harry Cobden has named the three horses he is most looking forward to riding this season.
After Chepstow kickstarted the traditional National Hunt campaign, the 26-year-old is counting down the days to the Grade One action. Cobden, who celebrated his 1,000th career success at Market Rasen on Tuesday, has high hopes for Kalif Du Berlais, Caldwell Potter and Regent’s Stroll.
Manchester United legend and huge horse racing fan Sir Alex Ferguson joined his friends to take a share in all of the Paul Nicholls-trained thoroughbreds. And Kalif Du Berlais, last seen winning the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in April, is the first horse on Cobden’s list.
“I’m really excited about him this year,” he told Mirror Racing. “Physically he feel likes he has improved a lot and the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter could be his starting point.”
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Caldwell Potter was sold for £632,000 in February 2024 and he recouped £135,000 of it for his team with a terrific Grade One spring double at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Easily too good for the rest in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase around Prestbury Park, the grey had to battle for top flight honours at the home of the Grand National.
It is hoped he might be able to contest a Gold Cup one day, a race with special memories for Nicholls thanks to all-time greats Kauto Star (2007, 2009) and Denman (2008),
“We will have to see if Caldwell Potter can reach that standard,” Cobden said.
Regent’s Stroll fetched £660,000 when he was let go by Cheltenham Festival-winning owner Chris Giles and the six-year-old is set for steeplechasing.
“He came right at Aintree and I think he is going to improve dramatically for fences,” Cobden added. “He’s a big chasing type who I think could be top class. He has schooled well.”
Trainer Emma Lavelle provided Cobden’s milestone winner earlier this week, as Indemnity made light work of the opposition in a Market Rasen hurdle.
The 5-4 favourite – rated 85 on the Flat for his former handler Roger Varian – brushed aside Bowmore by almost two lengths.
