Harry Cobden believes Il Est Francais could be the real deal
Il Est Francais ridden by James Reveley goes on to win The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase
Harry Cobden looks back at his Boxing Day rides as Hermes Allen, Rubaud and Bravesmansgame missed out on landing the Grade 1 crowns.
I thought Hermes Allen ran really well in the Kauto Star and we just bumped into an absolute freak in Il Est Francais.
For a five-year-old to go and do what he did around Kempton was an unbelievable performance. I don’t think I’ve ever followed a horse in a three-mile novice chase that jumped and travelled like he did.
It was a freaky performance and there’s loads of scope for more improvement. I couldn’t believe how fast he was going.
Hermes Allen was going really nicely and every time that horse got to another fence he’d take another couple of lengths out of us.
He genuinely could be the real deal.
Rubaud obviously ran his race in the Christmas Hurdle.
He travelled okay and jumped nicely, but when I tried to put a bit of pressure on Constitution Hill, I couldn’t get anywhere near him unfortunately.
I didn’t want to be too hard on him after that, so we were happy enough with the run.
Bravemansgame ran his heart out in the King George.
I just felt a bit unlucky that Shishkin unshipped Nico [De Boinville] and I galloped into the back of him.
I had to get going again and was only beaten a length and a half.
You always think after those big races what might have happened, but that’s horse racing.
I’m not saying jumping into the back of Shishkin cost me the race because that would be unfair on the winner, but it certainly didn’t help us.
The horse ran really well whichever way you look at it and we’ll head to the Gold Cup now.
