First ride across the Channel for Cobden as Malaya tackles Grade 1 hurdle

2.50 Auteuil
Prix Renaud du Vivier (Grade 1) | 2m3½f | 4yo | RUK

Harry Cobden breaks new ground on Sunday with a first ride in France aboard Malaya in the €250,000 Prix Renaud du Vivier at Auteuil.

Paul Nicholls landed the Grade 1 contest with Ptit Zig five years ago, and Malaya, owned by Johnny de la Hey, ran out an impressive winner at Ascot in March.

Malaya disappointed when stepped up to top-level company at Aintree the following month but Cobden is hopeful she can bounce back on her first start of the campaign.

Cobden, who celebrated his 20th birthday this week, said: "She’s going really well at home and I’m looking forward to it. This has been the plan for a while and the prize-money is very good.

"It’s my first ride in France, let alone at Auteuil, but I’ve spoken to plenty of jockeys who have been over there and they tell me it’s a lovely track to ride at.

"It’s a very competitive race but I’m hoping she’ll run well."

Course regular Master Dino, trained by Guillaume Macaire, appears the one to beat under James Reveley after victory in the Grade 3 Prix Pierre de Lassus last month.

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