Champion jockey Harry Cobden "fresh and ready" for new jumps season as return nears

Harry Cobden topped the standings in 2023-4 to win his first title and the No.1 rider for Paul Nicholls' top stable in Ditcheat has given an update on his progress from a recent knee injury

Reigning champion jockey Harry Cobden is close to making his return from an extended spell on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old is into his ninth week of recuperation after he suffered a knee injury while competing at Stratford on July 21.

Cobden, number one rider for 14-time top trainer Paul Nicholls, originally estimated it would put him out for a month. The 2023-4 title winner has been familiarising himself with Ditcheat's exciting recruits before final checks are made by the BHA.

In-form handler James Owen could provide his comeback mount Forget The Way at Southwell on October 3.

"I feel fresh and ready for the new season," said Cobden, whose battle with Sean Bowen went right down to the wire in April. "When you have a knee injury like mine, the doctors want you to have a long spell on the sidelines. If you rush back you can have a fall and be back to square one."

In his tenth year of race-riding professionally, Cobden encountered the setback when Nicholls-trained handicap hurdler Kick Up A Storm unseated him.

During the enforced downtime, both leading professionals of jump racing starred in ITV docuseries 'Champions: Full Gallop.' It featured Nicholls being denied a 15th championship - and a chance to draw level with record setter Martin Pipe - by Irishman Willie Mullins.

Cobden is eager to try and regain his stable's trophy and hold onto his own crown, while striving for a work-life balance when time allows.

He is 33 wins behind Bowen, hindered by a knee injury himself last term but able to increase his current advantage with a 93-1 four-timer at Perth on Wednesday.

"It is quite nice to have a break and do things outside of racing," added part-time cattle farmer and house renovator Cobden, who kept active while wearing a knee brace for six weeks.

"The recovery has gone well and it's important to wait for the right opportunity. We have a brilliant bunch of horses, owners and Paul has the bit between his teeth to get the title back."