Cobden: 'I definitely appreciate this more than the first - it's a great day'

Harry Cobden relived how he overcame adversity on Bravemansgame to win his second Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

The winning rider took Kempton's Christmas showpiece with Clan Des Obeaux in 2018 but was determined to make the most of his latest success.

"I definitely didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have done last time," said Cobden. "It sounds a bit silly, but now I’m 23 I appreciate these big days as they don’t come around that often."

Cobden was left with a dilemma when L'Homme Presse started to jump to his left and across Bravemansgame during the 3m race but felt it was worth staying on the outside of his rival rather than switching towards the rail.

"L’Homme Presse kept jumping across us, which wasn’t ideal, and we were getting carried out, but I didn’t want to get him amongst it," he said. "Although we went the furthest route and we were getting a bit of hassle, sometimes it's best to keep it simple.

Yeeees!: assistant trainer Charlie Davies celebrates Bravemansgame's victory with Harry CobdenCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I knew he was going to be the one to beat turning in, so I thought we'd get a lead from L'Homme Presse for as long as possible. I then tried to pin him down the inside a bit so he couldn’t take us right across the track. Bravemansgame is a fantastic horse and it's a great day."

Bryan Drew, who owns Bravemansgame in partnership with John Dance, described the win as the biggest of his career and, like Cobden, was keen to savour the moment.

“To me this is like the fifth Classic of jump racing," said Drew. "You have the four big races at the festival and this is the fifth Classic, and to win it is an absolute dream come true.

"I thought turning in, 'right, we are in territory we have never been in before and are we going to win this scrap?' But, by God, he delivered. I’ve had three festival winners in partnerships but this is as good as anything I’ve done."

Read more Boxing Day reports:

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