Harry Cobden discussed his chances in the 15.00 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown against reigning champ Jonbon – and admitted that he’s ‘not concerned’ with Libberty Hunter’s jumping
Harry Cobden has confirmed he’s “not concerned” ahead of the Tingle Creek as he takes on two-time champion Jonbon at Sandown. Libberty Hunter has failed to complete on his last two outings, but Cobden is hoping for a clear round of jumping today.
Speaking exclusively to Paddy Power for the From The Horse’s Mouth podcast about Libberty Hunter, Cobden said: “No, not at all [concerned by his jumping]. He slipped the other day, and just slithered down onto his belly, and I jumped off the side of him. Look, he’s obviously the outsider of the field in this race, but it’s red hot and very competitive, and they’ll go pretty quick, and I’m just going to ride him to nick as much as I can.
“Look, I might just nick fourth, but you never know.”
Libberty Hunter is currently priced at 33/1, behind third favourite Jonbon at 10/3. Nico de Boinville will be hoping to score the hat-trick for Nicky Henderson, after Jonbon took second place behind L’eau Du Sud at Cheltenham’s Shloer Chase in November.
While the punters aren’t feeling hopeful, Jonbon’s record shows good form for his beloved Sandown, with five of his six defeats taking place at Cheltenham.
As for Mullins’ Il Etait Temps, he sits as the market favourite and has previously been versatile ground-wise. The going eased over night after yesterday’s showings with showers expected to last until midday.
Harry Fry’s Boothill remains the outsider, currently priced at a wide 100/1.
When asked if rainfall would be a concern for Jonbon, Nicky Henderson, who previously said he was “on schedule for Sandown”, told Nick Luck’s podcast: “With Jonbon it certainly is. I don’t think that ground helped him at all at Cheltenham”.
The Daily Star Chief Tipster Jason Heavey has his eyes set on L’eau Du Sud for a “classy renewal” at the Tingle Creek.
He continued: “Trainer Dan Skelton has monopolised the big Saturday pots in recent weeks and can bag another £100k in prize money for winning this Grade One contest.
“L’Eau Du Sud looked a much improved performer when scooting clear to win the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham. He beat Jonbon by 15 lengths although he was getting 3lb and on ground that promises to be testing he is fancied to confirm the form against Nicky Henderson’s beast who has won this race for the past two years.
“Il Etait Temps showed huge improvement in the spring when scoring at Aintree, Punchestown and Sandown and returned with a smooth success at Clonmel last month. He looks pretty bombproof but he is no value at odds-on”.