Harry Cobden will partner Jonbon for the first time in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase on Saturday.
The former champion jockey was announced as the next retained rider for leading owner JP McManus earlier this week and while he does not officially start in his new role until May, he will wear the famous green and gold silks aboard Nicky Henderson’s 10-time Grade One winner in this weekend’s Ascot feature.
Henderson’s stable jockey Nico De Boinville, who has steered Jonbon to his last eight career victories, has been sidelined since suffering a fall at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. He is set to return to the saddle with a solitary ride at Windsor on Friday, but the following day will head north to Haydock.
Sam Stronge, who is agent to both Cobden and De Boinville, told the Press Association: “Nico is going to Haydock on Saturday to ride Old Park Star and Harry Cobden is going to Ascot to ride Jonbon.
“Nico is down to ride on Friday at Windsor and it will be good for him to have a ride before the weekend, so that’s all good.
“It’s exciting for Harry to get the job with JP. He has a lot of nice horses and it’s an exciting team to be part of.”
De Boinville will make his return aboard As The Fella Says In the MPM Flooring Handicap Chase at Windsor before travelling to Merseyside to partner Old Park Star in Saturday’s Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle.
The six-year-old is a best-priced 7-1 with Unibet for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Cobden found out he would be teaming up with Jonbon via social media on Wednesday morning.
The rider told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s the most fantastic horse isn’t he. I’ve spent the last four or five seasons chasing him round and I haven’t been on one quite good enough to pass him, so I’m very much looking forward to riding him on Saturday.
“He’s won a Melling Chase so two and a half miles isn’t a problem to him but if the Skelton horse (Thistle Ask) declares that will go a right old gallop, so if he runs I’d say we’ll go very quick.
“To be honest, this morning I saw on Twitter (X) I was riding him before I was actually told! I rang my agent who told me what was happening with Nico going to Haydock to ride the good novice.
“It’s an honour and privilege to go and ride a horse like that and hopefully I can step up and deliver.”