Harry Cobden is determined to seize his \u201cmassive opportunity\u201d after being appointed as retained rider to JP McManus from May.<\/p>\n
The role will involve all the ‘green and gold’ horses in both the UK and Ireland, including reigning Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Inothewayurthinkin, Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File, and in England the Unibet Champion Hurdle contender The New Lion and top two-mile chaser Jonbon.<\/p>\n
Speaking from Hereford on Sky Sports Racing, the former champion jockey said: \u201cIt\u2019s a massive opportunity for next season and obviously I\u2019m very much looking forward to it.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s obviously nice to even be asked, it was a privilege to be asked, and they have lots of very good horses. I\u2019m looking forward to it.”<\/p>\n
For Cobden, the chance to ride the McManus horses in Ireland was a key part in the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s obviously where the majority of the green and gold horses are, there\u2019s lots of quality there, so it\u2019s great,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Before the new job starts, the rider is determined to end his spell as stable jockey to Paul Nicholls on a high.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve really only had one job in racing and that\u2019s with Paul. I wouldn\u2019t be where I am now without him. The support I\u2019ve had from him and his owners has been unbelievable. Without them an opportunity like this would never have come along because nobody would know who I am,” he continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d just like to say a massive thank you to Paul and his team. I\u2019ve had a fantastic ten years there and fingers crossed can still ride plenty of winners for them.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ll take it as it comes. This is obviously a big opportunity for me and one I’m very much looking forward to, but I suppose my primary focus between now and the end of the season is not to leave anything behind and do as well as I can on all of Paul\u2019s horses, and ride as many winners as I possibly can.\u201d <\/p>\n
Barry Geraghty was McManus’ last retained rider until retiring six years ago. The William Hill ambassador is expecting Cobden to be a success in his new role, saying: ” <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the best jobs in racing. There\u2019s a depth of quality there at all levels, you\u2019ve last season\u2019s Gold Cup and Ryanair winners, The New Lion, Jonbon, a bunch of smart novices and plenty more. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I spoke to JP [McManus] and the opportunity arose to work for him, it was an honour to get it. I was probably in a different position [to Harry] as it was offering me the opportunity to ride more back in Ireland. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a massive opportunity for Harry and I\u2019m sure he will grab it with both hands. It will be different for him riding in Ireland and Britain, but he\u2019s very capable and he won\u2019t have any problem adjusting to that. Harry is a very good rider and I think he is the right type of person to ride for JP. He rides a patient race and JP would rather his horses were ridden patiently than aggressively, so his style should be well suited to the job. He rides well over fences and hurdles and is a good horseman. Like Mark Walsh, he\u2019s a good all-rounder. <\/p>\n
\u201cMark is a brilliant rider and of course rode the Gold Cup and Ryanair winner last season as well as many other Festival winners. Mark is closing in on being 40 now and has achieved a huge amount of success for JP, and Harry will be looking to follow in his footsteps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you get any big job, you have an internal pressure, but as you get used to it and you relax you realise you\u2019re working for someone who has a great understanding of the sport and how it works. It would have been the same for me when I started with Nicky [Henderson] as when I started with JP \u2013 you\u2019re not long in the job but you realise how quickly you slot in. JP would take the pressure out of a situation, rather than put pressure on. That\u2019s the way he is to work for.\u201d<\/p>\n
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