Harry Cobden: Hitman taking aim at Tingle Creek

Blogs | 2^nd December 2021

Harry Cobden gives the lowdown on his Saturday rides at Sandown Park including Hitman in the Betfair Tingle Creek.

This Saturday, it’s Betfair Tingle Creek Day at Sandown Park, the feature race is one of the highlights of the season.

As a jockey you get such a unique buzz out of these big two mile chases and you can tell racing fans love them too with the fantastic atmosphere they generate.

Before getting into the coming Saturday, looking back at last weekend at Newbury, we had a great day with two winners in Kapcorse and Il Ridoto.

Il Ridoto was hugely impressive and makes a quick return to action in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase this Saturday. Two wins in the space seven days would be quite something!

A wonderful story @NewburyRacing 👏

Running in the colours of the great Sir Peter O'Sullevan Kapcorse wins the race in his honour! 🖤💛pic.twitter.com/Aueba3ymYz
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) November 27, 2021

Saturday rides

12:05pm – Outlaw Peter in the Great Friend ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle

We’re hoping he’ll be able to change his form around in this race. In his last run, we were slightly disappointed, I thought he’d win but he was too keen and the race didn’t suit him with a slow pace throughout.

But he’s a really talented horse and he’s still learning as a youngster. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t do well here.

1:50pm – Il Ridoto in the Grade 1 Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices’ Chase

I was pleased with his strong performance last Saturday in the Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase where he won by a comfortable six and half lengths.

Il Ridoto slips away to win the Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase 🥇

That looked too easy 😅

Watch LIVE
📺 @ITV
📱 https://t.co/fkQLQLtgFY pic.twitter.com/FqywittFI7
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 27, 2021

I schooled him this morning, he felt nice and fresh just five days after his run. It’s a big step up this race but he feels ready and raring to go again after the short turnaround. Third Time Lucki looks a very worthy favourite, but our horse is getting a handy 6lb weight allowance which helps give us a good chance.

2:25pm – Hitman in the Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase

I have good memories of this race, back in 2017 I was lucky enough to win it on board the brilliant Politologue. It was one of the first big successes in my career; days like that don’t come around very often so if it happens on Saturday I’ll be absolutely delighted.

Hitman is a up and coming young horse and we’re excited to see how he compares to some of the best two mile chasers out there. He’s still got plenty of growing to do to fill out his frame and is an exciting horse for future as well as the present.

I definitely feel Hitman will improve from his last run at Exeter; he feels like he’s in top form at home at the moment.

Chacun Pour Soi and Greaneteen will aim to set a decent pace, I imagine, which then leaves myself, Nube Negra and Captain Guinness to sit in behind and we’ll see where we are at the business end of the race.

3:00pm – Highland Hunter in the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase

I really like this horse. This race will be his first run of the season after doing lots and lots of work at home. He could do with some rain, the softer, the better for him. I can see him running well.

3:35pm – Samarrive in the Listed Betfair Daily Rewards December Handicap Hurdle

My NAP of the day! He’ll improve massively from his last run at the Cheltenham October meeting. He’ll prefer Sandown’s right-handed track after his last run where he tended to jump right at his hurdles, giving ground away.