IT’S HARRY’S GAIN
Cobden’s woe aids Skelton
HARRY SKELTON, now two winners ahead of Brian Hughes for the jump jockeys’ championship after a treble at Southwell yesterday, has had his title hopes further enhanced after Harry Cobden was ruled out for the season.
Cobden will miss six weeks after suffering cheekbone fractures in a crunching fall at Aintree on Saturday.
Skelton immediately benefited from Cobden’s absence when partnering Fidelio Vallis to victory for Paul Nicholls, his former boss, at Southwell.
And with Cobden sidelined, Skelton is expected to get providing he avoids injury. Dan Skelton said: “We’ve still numerous rides from the got plenty to run and Harry Nicholls stable before the will not be short of rides.” season ends on Saturday Despite having six rides at week at Sandown. Southwell yesterday, Hughes
Cobden, currently in third went home empty-handed. place for the jump jockeys’ The pair go head-to-head title, said: “Good luck to both at Cheltenham today where Brian and Harry. Skelton has six fancied rides,
“I look forward to all for his brother, and challenging you both again Hughes has two booked next season.” mounts at the meeting. Skelton completed his DAVY RUSSELL,
★ treble on Just A Deal and sidelined after a Begin The Luck, both for horrific fall at Caroline Saunders. Limerick in October
With further support from that resulted in two fractured his brother Dan, Skelton’s vertebrae in his neck, has long-held ambition of taking been offered the plum ride the title from Brian Hughes, on Envoi Allen at the current champion, is now Punchestown in a fortnight’s looking a penalty kick, time, if passed fit.