Harry Cobden: Doncaster Delight in my sights

Blogs | 29th January 2021

Harry Cobden gives you exclusive insight into his rides at Doncaster on Saturday including a possible winner for Sir Alex Ferguson.

I can’t wait to head up to Doncaster and get back in the saddle this Saturday. I’ve only had one ride since last Saturday because of the terrible weather calling a halt to a lot of this week’s fixtures. 

Looking ahead to the weekend I’ve got a great bunch of rides up in Yorkshire.

Doncaster Delight 

1:30 – Fast Buck – Grade 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Lightning Novices’ Chase

Fast Buck ran very well when coming second in his last run at Doncaster. That said he’ll have to improve a fair way to take the spoils here, as the hugely talented unbeaten Shiskin in the line-up. 

But I’m very hopeful of a solid performance from Fast Buck. It’ll only be his third run over fences, so we’re pretty confident he’ll progress again.

2:05 – Miranda – Grade 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle

I saw Bryan Carver school Miranda in the week and she’s looking in great nick. Her jumping impressed me, she was going over the hurdles very fluently. I’m confident of a strong run heading into this good little Mares’ Hurdle race.

2:40 – Flash Collonges – Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle

Flash Collonges has recovered from his win at Wincanton earlier in the month really well. He’s a big horse with a lot of ability and he’s got a fantastic engine.

He’s a little babyish and immature but it is his first season racing and he’s definitely going in the right direction. He looks to have a brilliant chance in the race and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t go close.

3:15 – Give Me A Copper – Grade 2 Sky Bet Handicap Chase

GIve Me A Copper - part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson

Give Me A Copper has been around for quite a number of years and he’s still going strong. I’ve schooled him quite a few times through the season and his work at home is getting better and better.

He ran a cracker coming second at Doncaster on his only run this season and no doubt his race fitness would have improved subsequently.

We wouldn’t want the ground to be too testing for him though, no more rain before Saturday would be ideal.

Looking beyond Saturday, he has the attributes to become a Grand National horse. Being an older horse he has that wealth of experience that could see him run well at Aintree.

4:25 – Teescomponentslass – British European Breeders Fund (EBF) Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

A horse trained by Tom Lacey, I’ve never ridden for Mr Lacey before so it’s great to have that opportunity and I’d love to get off to the perfect start on Teescomponentlass on Saturday.

He was second in a bumper at Ayr in his first race, so he should know his job well enough hopefully to put up a good run for me on Saturday.

Best chance of a winner?

Miranda, I’m really looking forward to riding her.