Can Harry Cobden complete a Summer Plate hat-trick as he is snapped up for intriguing Irish fancy?

The go-to jockey for Summer Plate success in recent years has been Harry Cobden. He has won the £100,000 prize in the last two seasons and has been snapped up by County Meath-based trainer Gavin Cromwell to ride Ballysax Hank.

Cobden had a good record riding for Irish yards last season, recording six wins and four seconds from 14 rides, although his sole ride for Cromwell – Evies Vladimir in the Edinburgh National in February – ended with him pulling up his mount.

Cromwell is 0-10 with his runners at Market Rasen, with his two contenders in this event in 2023 finishing a well-beaten tenth and pulled up, but Ballysax Hank looks to have a lot more going for him.

He’s one of the potential improvers lurking in the field, having only raced three times over fences. He shaped as though 17 furlongs was too sharp when returning from a break over hurdles two weeks ago and is interesting back up in trip in a hood, which he wore when winning over fences in March on his only chase start on good ground. His opening handicap mark doesn’t look beyond him.

Sure Touch was on a four-timer when landing this last year but arrives on a bit of a retrieval mission, with cheekpieces fitted for the first time. He’s coming in off a similar break and is 1lb lower than last year, so warrants respect with Sean Bowen in the saddle.

Bowen faces off against his brothers, with James riding the Nicky Henderson-trained Bhaloo and Mickey, who took over the licence from his eight-time Summer Plate-winning father Peter, fielding Statuario and Courtland.

Courtland has achieved two of his three highest Racing Post Ratings at Market Rasen, including when finishing second in this two years ago. He shaped well on his return from a long absence last time and looks a danger to all with Shane Fenelon claiming 5lb.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

Big opportunity for Fenelon

Shane Fenelon may not be champion jockey like Sean Bowen or a Grade 1-winning rider like James Bowen, but the County Wicklow-born conditional does boast the illustrious achievement of being the first person to win over fences on subsequent King George winner Hewick.

Fenelon followed up that successful chasing debut at Clonmel in June 2021 by steering Hewick to victory in the Durham National four months later.

Shane Fenelon (centre) after winning the 2021 Durham National on HewickCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The 5lb claimer was based with Hewick’s trainer Shark Hanlon at the time, a grounding that served Rachael Blackmore well.

It was during Fenelon’s time with Hanlon that he crossed paths with Mickey Bowen, who was working for Willie Mullins. Bowen owned Easy Bucks, who Hanlon sent out to win at Punchestown in January 2024 by eight lengths under Fenelon.

The 27-year-old was asked by Bowen to join the family yard in Pembrokeshire after that victory and, after spending the summer at home in Ireland, Fenelon made the move last September.

Nine winners for the stable have followed, although Fenelon did receive a five-day suspension last season when the Bowens’ Alan De Banks was disqualified after winning a Newton Abbot bumper due to Fenelon riding when he was meant to be serving a two-day whip ban incurred at Ballinrobe last August.

Fenelon, who had his first ride in May 2019, has ridden a winner from two rides at Market Rasen, which should encourage backers of Courtland.

What they say

Sara Bradstock, trainer of Horantzau D'Airy
He has his problems but it's exciting for us to have something of his quality. He gives a very nice feel at home.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Riskintheground, Doyouknowwhatimean and Shakeyatailfeather
Riskintheground won two good races at the backend of last season and has had a nice break since then in preparation for this. We thought it would be worth trying Doyouknowwhatimean over the trip. It's a bit irritating that Shakeyatailfeather is so far out the handicap, but Tristan [Durrell] takes 3lb off, giving her a little bit more weight back.

Riskintheground won the feature race for a resurgent Dan Skelton

Riskintheground: one of three runners for Dan SkeltonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Dianne Sayer, trainer of Charlie Uberalles
Right-handed isn't his preferred way, with his best runs coming at left-handed Cartmel.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Sure Touch
He comes to life on nicer ground. He's come down to below his last winning mark and he's been trained for the race. I'm fitting him with cheekpieces as I feel he's probably relaxing a bit more than he did last year.

Mickey Bowen, trainer of Courtland and Statuario
Courtland ran really well at Cartmel and Shane Fenelon said the ground didn't suit him – it was sticky and he didn't enjoy it. Statuario has won a Perth Gold Cup and been in great form since. He's 5lb lower than last year and was beaten only five lengths that time. I wouldn't be able to split them.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Ballysax Hank
He ran a good race at Bellewstown last time and he seems in good form. It's a good pot and there's a great jockey on his back.

Tom Gibney, trainer of Mr Saxobeat
He had a good first run back at Wexford last time and hopefully he can progress a bit from that.

Ross O’Sullivan, trainer of Ceanndana
We had this race in mind since the end of last year. It's a big pot and it's hard with his rating to get into one of these types of races in Ireland. He has a lovely weight on his back, the trip should be fine and he had a nice prep run at Tipperary last time.
Reporting by Charlie Huggins

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