Join

Ruby Walsh on Harry Cobden: It’s not rocket science

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Mon 19 Oct 2026

Ruby Walsh – speaking on the Racing TV Jump Season Preview 2026/27 - is confident that Harry Cobden will enjoy a successful season in the green and gold hooped silks of JP McManus.

Enjoy the Racing TV Jumps Season Preview show on the Racing TV YouTube channel tonight at 6.00pm to watch all the lively debate and analysis!

Cobden left his position as retained jockey for Paul Nicholls last season to take up the role as number one rider for the powerful Irish owner, and has found his feet in recent months with a 30% strike-rate across both sides of the Irish Sea.

His new role was just one of a breadth of topics discussed as Nick Luck was joined by Ruby Walsh, Lydia Hislop, Jane Mangan and Josh Stacey for the Racing TV Jump Season Preview 2026/27, but Walsh is certain that the future is bright for the 27-year-old rider.

“It’s a huge job but I think he will do very well,” believes Walsh. “He's an exceptional rider. JP seems to have more winter horses than summer horses now, which is probably why he took the job. It’s a good job with plenty of good horses.”

While some of the panel had concerns about Cobden getting used to new tracks and riders in Ireland, Walsh didn’t - and still doesn’t.

“He’ll get used to it, but it’s not like years ago – you can do all your homework by watching races on the internet. He will be able to watch what’s going on and adapt to the pace.

“I never thought it would be an issue and I still don’t.

“It’s not that difficult. You get down to the start and look at which riders are around and if they’re any good. If they are, then follow them. It’s not rocket science.

“It’s what I did when i came to England, I just followed AP [McCoy] and Dickie [Johnson].”

But will Cobden’s rides this season include The New Lion, who was partnered by Harry Skelton on all four starts last term?

“I’m assuming not,” says Luck. “Have I called that wrongly?”

“Would you take the job without The New Lion?” asks Walsh.

It’s a mixed response from the panel, with Mangan in the ‘no’ camp and Hislop in the ‘yes’ column.

“I think he will ride him,” argues Walsh. “We are assuming that JP approached Harry so he’s in a position to lay down the conditions, not the other way around.”

Majborough enters the conversation at this point of the preview show, with the team getting over their Majborough Chat Fatigue to try and work out how connections can get their young star back on song.

“He’s got to go up in trip, hasn’t he?” suggests Hislop.

“I don't know,” replies Walsh. “He’s a cliff horse for me. The engine is there, the ability is there, but he has to start putting it together. How many times can you keep making excuses for him?”

And tactics?

“He definitely wants to be prominent but does he have to make the running? I don’t think so, but then again, I never rode him down to a fence thank God!

“Like people, very few horses get quicker as they get older.

“There’s a lot of jumping done in the first five furlongs on the old Course at Cheltenham and that seems to have caught him out.”

Mangan argues: “He doesn’t like undulations. He doesn’t like going right-handed. He doesn’t like a lot of things. I think Kopek Des Bordes has a better chance of getting it all together than Majborough.”

Don't forget to tune into the Racing TV YouTube channel on Monday at 6.00pm to watch all the lively debate and analysis.

Get Jumps Season Ready with Our Expert Tips and Exclusive Free Bet Offers!

Racing TV encourages responsible gambling - to find out more click here to head to our dedicated website page.

"We always thought he was a Triple Crown type," says O'Brien

Racing TV's presenters' 2026-27 Jumps horses to follow

Ruby Walsh: Five key talking points for the 2026-27 Jumps season

Lordan rides six winners for Aidan O'Brien at Leopardstown

Jump Season Preview: Watch at 6pm on Monday!

Todays top offer

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports

T&Cs Apply

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Claim Now

Featured offers

Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware

Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply

Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware

Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.

Please bet responsibly

Races

Tips

Watch

Results