Harry Cobden: I'm disappointed not to ride Bravemansgame but Paul knows what he's doing

Harry Cobden has backed the riding arrangements that mean he will not be aboard Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase (3.00) at Haydock on Saturday, saying that champion trainer Paul Nicholls "knows exactly what he's doing" when it comes to making winning plans.

Cobden admitted he was "disappointed" to miss out for the first time on riding the Bryan Drew-owned Bravemansgame, now set to be the mount of Daryl Jacob.

But the jockey added that he was looking forward to the opportunity to ride in two Grade 2s at Ascot on the same day. He will partner Pic D'Orhy in the 1965 Chase and Blueking D'Oroux in the Coral Hurdle for prominent owners Johnny and Samantha de la Hey.

He said: "When you have a horse like Bravemansgame you don't want to see anyone riding one of the best of 'your' horses. It's a tough one for any rider to see the best horse in the yard ridden by someone else, but Paul and the owners have got a plan and that's what they want to do, so they have my full support.

"I'm disappointed I can't be in two places at once but I've got plenty of nice rides at Ascot that I'm looking forward to. None of those horses are a Bravemansgame, but they have some really good chances. Johnny de la Hey is the biggest owner in the yard and I wouldn't want to let him down either.

"Paul's won more Grade 1s than most people and he knows exactly what he's doing. Bryan is an understanding owner and a top man, and everyone wants what's best for the horse."

Nicholls revealed in his Betfair blog that Jacob would ride Bravemansgame should ground conditions mean he is given the go-ahead to run in the Betfair Chase, with the jockey schooling the eight-year-old on Monday morning in preparation for the race.

Daryl Jacob: picked up the ride on Bravemansgame in the Betfair ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Jacob will be seeking a fourth Betfair Chase victory having enjoyed three wins on Bristol De Mai, and Nicholls said the rider has "loads of experience" and "got on great" with Bravemansgame in their schooling session.

However, the trainer was unequivocal in saying Cobden would resume riding Bravemansgame in the future and dismissed any suggestion that an impressive win in the Betfair Chase under Jacob would muddy the waters for subsequent races.

Speaking at a press event hosted by the Jockey Club on Monday, Nicholls said: "Of course he would go back to being Harry's ride – there's not even a question about it. Harry's stable jockey and that's it, but he can't be in two places on the same day and you have to do things that are right. Of course he'll ride him again.

"Harry's going to Ascot and he's got six good rides there. We've always had Pic D'Orhy in mind for Ascot, and Johnny's got 15 or 16 very nice horses in training with us and he needs looking after. Harry is very important to Pic D'Orhy, probably more so than the other way round with Bravemansgame.

"Sometimes when you have big meetings on a Saturday you have to make decisions that are right for everyone. I spoke to Bryan in depth and Harry, and he's got six good rides at Ascot including Pic D'Orhy in that big race so it was an easy decision. We'll let someone else have a ride of Bravemansgame, so if in the future Harry's not able to ride him then we have someone used to riding him and there's a first reserve, as it were."

Bravemansgame was one of six horses confirmed on Monday for the Betfair Chase, alongside last year's winner Protektorat, Grand National hero Corach Rambler, Shishkin, Royale Pagaille and Minella Drama.

He has improved for his outing in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, where he was second to Gentlemansgame, said Nicholls, who added that the race fitted in with the horse's objective of trying to win a second Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26.

Nicholls said: "Bryan is quite keen for us to run, so that's one reason [he was confirmed]. He's also come out of Wetherby very well and he'll take a step forward from that run the other day. He's older now, we've still got a month to Kempton and it's a valuable race.

"He's taken a large step forward and that run will have done him a lot of good. He hadn't been for a racecourse gallop, or anything like that, and I hadn't drilled him like [Paddy Power Gold Cup winner] Stage Star to have him ready for that particular race as we knew there were bigger targets down the road.

"He's high class and arguably should be favourite for the Betfair Chase. It's only because we've been negative and said we weren't sure we were going to go there. We're very happy with him and just hope the dry week forecast is forthcoming."

Betfair Chase (3.00 Haydock, Saturday)

Betfair: Evens Bravemansgame, 11-8 Protektorat, 5 Shishkin, 6 Royale Pagaille, 8 Corach Rambler, 50 Minella Drama

Read more . . .

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