Cobden shining brightest among leading crop of conditionals

The rise to prominence for an aspiring jump jockey is a path lined with obstacles – not least countless hurdles and fences – but with the likes of Mick Fitzgerald, Tony McCoy and Richard Johnson among the alumni of previous winners, achieving the status of champion conditional can act as a springboard to becoming a household name.

Attaining such status is a mix of talent, graft and luck.

"It's going to be tough," said Harry Bannister, who is second in the table with 19 wins. "There's such strength and depth to this year's conditionals."