STAY AWAY FAY THE REST OF THE FIELD
Cobden says six-year-old with Ayr-born owner can leave rivals trailing in National
HARRY COBDEN has a triple target as he aims for Ayr glory on Stay Away Fay.
The 25-year-old is heading north this weekend for the spectacular two-day Coral Scottish Grand National meeting.
Cobden could have a huge chance in Saturday’s showpiece event as he’s in line to partner Paul Nicholls’ impressive young chasing star at the meeting.
The jockey currently leads the title race from his mate Sean Bowen and success at Ayr will edge him even closer to that cherished prize.
Cobden’s boss Nicholls is also trying to outgun Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton and get his hands on the UK trainer’s title for a staggering 15th time.
And having sent Belmont King in 1997 as well as back-toback winner Vicente in 2016 and 2017, a fourth triumph would be a huge shot in the arm to his chances. Stay Away Fay is also owned by Ayr-born Chris Giles which gives Cobden bags of incentives to strike on the west coast.
The six-year-old holds an alternative entry in Saturday’s CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase and is one the pilot is looking forward to. He said: “Yeah, very much so.
“He was brilliant until his last run at Cheltenham in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase which was disappointing. Something was clearly not right with him.
“He never sort of travelled or felt as good as he has done all season, so we’re on a little bit of a recovery mission with him. But I think he’ll appreciate a bit of better ground, the track should suit and it would be very fitting for a good Scottish owner in Chris.”
Stay Away Fay is top of the ratings on 158 for the ultracompetitive handicap. But Cobden said: “I remember Nicky Henderson said one day never worry about carrying weight because you’ve got the best horse in the race. So I’m not worried about that at all.”
Codben, who has 24 Grade 1 wins, could complete a stunning double for Giles with Rubaud a massive contender in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle.
The duo were excellent winners of the two-mile event over timber 12 months ago and are being lined up for a repeat bid.
Cobden is set for a massive week with Nicholls sending another crack team from his yard in Ditcheat.
The master handler has enjoyed huge success at the big Ayr meeting in the past.
Nicholls saddled four winners – Afadil, Hugos New Horse, Sabrina and Rubaud – over the two days last year and is planning another assault.
The Manor Farm master currently has 17 entries for the seven races on the first day of the meeting on Friday and is backing that up with another 14 for Saturday’s eight-race bonanza, with Broken Halo and Flash Collonges also entered for the National.
Cobden said: “It’s a meeting we’ve had lots of success at in the last couple of seasons. So I’m very much looking forward to it and hopefully we can come back with a couple of winners.”
Nicholls is now the outsider of three in the battle for the trainer’s title as he attempts to equal Martin Pipe’s record of successes.
Having led for much of the campaign, he is trailing behind Mullins and Skelton in the battle for the coveted crown.
However, Nicholls has been there before with Vicente’s Ayr wins clinching him two of his titles and he’s primed for the fight. He said: “We’ll be doing our best, never give up.
“We need to win some big races and get some good money. I won’t give up. There are plenty of races to come.”