It’s one of the biggest dates in the National Hunt calendar. The Prestbury Park gates are swinging open for Cheltenham Trials Day, the air is crisp with anticipation, and the “Cheltenham Roar” is warming up its vocal cords. But as the declarations go up, there’s a notable absence that has left a bit of a hole in the heart of the paddock.
Harry Cobden won’t be in the plate this weekend.
After a heavy fall at Ascot last Saturday, where a spill from Neon Moon led to a nasty collision with a following horse, Harry is officially sidelined. While his agent, Sam Stronge, has reassured fans that it isn’t a long-term disaster, the “gyp” in his shoulder is enough to keep him grounded for the time being.
🟢 The Big Reveal: Number One for JP McManus
First, let’s talk about the news that shook the Weighing Room. This week, the racing world stood still as it was confirmed: Harry Cobden is the new retained number one rider for JP McManus in Britain and Ireland. It is the ultimate “I’ve made it” moment. Taking over from the likes of AP McCoy and Barry Geraghty, Harry will be the primary pilot for the most famous green and gold silks in the sport. While he’ll be finishing the season strong with Paul Nicholls, come May, he’ll be the man tasked with steering the McManus battalion across both sides of the Irish Sea.
💚 The Bittersweet “Green and Gold” Start
The timing is particularly cruel for Harry. Just days before his accident, he was announced as the new retained rider for the legendary JP McManus in Britain and Ireland, the racing equivalent of being handed the keys to a Ferrari.
He was due to debut those iconic silks aboard the superstar Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase. Seeing James Bowen step in to take the win was a reminder of the sport’s “highs and lows” nature. While we know Harry would have been cheering his new team on from the sofa, the competitive fire in him must have been itching to be out there.
🏠 A Tactical Reset
Paul Nicholls has confirmed that while Harry rests up, Sam Twiston-Davies and Freddie Gingell will be taking over the Ditcheat duties at Cheltenham.
• Sam Twiston-Davies picks up the ride on the exciting juvenile Minella Yoga.
• Freddie Gingell takes the reins on Quebecois.
Racing is a game of grit, but it’s also a game of patience. With the Cheltenham Festival just eight weeks away, there is no sense in rushing back for one afternoon and risking the big show in March. Harry has been the ultimate “iron man” of the circuit this season, chasing winners from Sedgefield to Sandown, and perhaps this forced break is the universe’s way of ensuring he’s at 100% for the championship battles ahead.
🥂 Rest Up, Harry
To the man who makes every fence look like a minor hurdle and every finish a tactical masterclass: take the time, eat the full English breakfast, and get that shoulder right. Trials Day won’t be quite the same without that blue and white (or green and gold) blur flying over the last, but we know the comeback will be worth the wait.
The silks are hanging up for now, but the shenanigans are only on pause.
Silks and Shenanigans 