Harry Cobden brings up 50 for the season after 25th winner this month

Thursday: Taunton

Harry Cobden notched a half-century for the season with victory on Irish Hill as he maintained the staggering form that has brought him half of those winners since the start of November.

This month has been the most prolific of Cobden's career with 25 victories, the latest coming in the colours of Sir Martin Broughton on Irish Hill in the feature 2m3f handicap hurdle.

Cobden told Racing TV: "They went a right good gallop and he's only a four-year-old who's entitled to improve from last season, and he's won quite nicely.

"Most of the way round he wasn't actually travelling that well and was nearly off the bridle, but he stays quite well."

Irish Hill finishes home alone to provide yet another winner this month for Harry CobdenCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Cobden and winning trainer Paul Nicholls had started the day on the wrong foot as wayward 1-4 favourite Timeforatune was worried out of it by the Fergal O'Brien-trained Mamoon Star in the first division of the novice hurdle.

Lenihan on a roll

Kai Lenihan showed his worth to Kim Bailey again with a never-say-die ride on I Spy A Diva as the mare registered a hat-trick in the 3m novice handicap hurdle.

The conditional's 7lb claim was crucial in the neck win over favourite Jet Of Magic on a horse up in the weights following victories at Ludlow last month and at this course two weeks ago.

Lenihan, who has partnered stablemate Gerard Mentor to three victories in the space of just over six weeks, has made an excellent start for Bailey with five wins from ten rides this season.

Kai Lenihan gets all he can from I Spy A Diva (noseband) to deny Jet Of MagicCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Smoking Pipe

David Pipe, who was also on the mark with Shot Boii at Lingfield, eclipsed his winning total from last season after American Sniper defied a penalty in division two of the novice hurdle.

The success gave the trainer his 48th winner of the campaign, one more than in 2021-22.

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