'None of them has won a King George' - Harry Cobden bullish for Down Royal bid

Harry Cobden is looking forward to resuming his association with King George winner Clan Des Obeaux when he makes his first trip to Down Royal on Saturday for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase, a race in which trainer Paul Nicholls has a great record.

Cobden has yet to ride a winner in Ireland, but he has had two places at Punchestown from only a handful of rides and has come a very long way in a short space of time. He does not turn 21 until next week, yet he has won eight Grade 1s already and believes Clan Des Obeaux can be a ninth.

He said: "Clan Des Obeaux should have a very good chance. I think I've only ridden him once since he came back in, but he seems in good form and Scott Marshall, who rides him every day, seems very happy with him.

"Some of Paul's have been needing a run, but he's still banging in plenty of winners and Clan Des Obeaux has been in long enough, so I don't expect it to be a problem. I'm really looking forward to it."

Clan Des Obeaux and Scott Marshall, his regular rider at home, in the Ditcheat box once occupied by Master MindedCredit: Edward Whitaker

Clan Des Obeaux faces strong opposition in a field that looks set to be dominated by runners carrying the Gigginstown colours, among them last year's winner Road To Respect and Grade 1 Punchestown novice winner Delta Work.

However, Cobden insists that his mount sets the standard and said: "It looks a decent race but none of the others has won a King George, have they?

"I suppose Delta Work is the obvious one to beat, but if you look at his form he was only third at Cheltenham behind Topofthegame [Cobden's RSA Chase winner] and his form doesn't look the best in the world. I wouldn't swap my horse for any of them."

Down Royal has been a happy hunting ground for Nicholls, who boasts a 50 per cent strike-rate at the track with 11 winners from 22 runners, and the trainer has won the Grade 1 four times, including twice with Kauto Star.

His record in the race pales when set alongside his dominance of the same day's Grade 2 Daily Mirror Chase, in which Cobden will ride Secret Investor for the stable. Nicholls won the race six years in succession between 2008 and 2013, and again with Ptit Zig in 2015, since when he has only contested it once.

Cobden said: "Paul's had plenty of winners at Down Royal over the years and Secret Investor has got good form, having already won a Grade 2 at Ayr. If he jumps well, he'll take a bit of beating."

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