HARRY Cobden’s role with J.P. McManus doesn’t officially begin until the beginning of next season, but the jockey of the moment says his call-up for Jonbon in today’s Grade 1 highlight at Ascot feels like his “first proper ride” for his new boss.

With Nico de Boinville bound for Haydock to ride Old Park Star (the shortest-priced British runner in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle market at odds of 5/1 to 7/1) in the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (1.25), an early opportunity has presented itself for Cobden to build on his existing 20% strike rate for McManus (13 winners from 66 rides) on Nicky Henderson’s top-class chaser.

Jonbon might be seeking back-to-back victories in the BetMGM-backed Clarence House Chase (3.30) - and takes on only three rivals - but it looks anything but a simple task for him to bring up his first win of the season. There is a nine-length deficit to turn around with Tingle Creek hero Il Etait Temps from their Sandown clash six weeks ago, and it’s difficult to find an array of reasons why that should be dramatically turned around. Willie Mullins’ much-improved two-miler is officially rated 6lb superior.

What does look a positive for Jonbon is his immense consistency. At the age of 10, he has still never finished out of the first two placings in any of his 25 career starts under rules - winning 18 times (including 10 victories at Grade 1 level).

Cobden said: “This is a brilliant ride to be picking up. Obviously the horse needs no introduction, he’s been brilliant in the last few years and I’m very much looking forward to riding him on Saturday.

Temps threat

“It’s obviously a small field, but a pretty competitive and compact race, and Il Etait Temps looks the obvious one to beat. I jumped 10 fences on Jonbon [this week], he was pretty foot-perfect and just a class horse that was very easy to ride really. He’s a gentleman, really. Very, very easy going.”

Completing the quartet are sensational improver Thistle Ask (winner of his last five starts and up a total of 50lb in that period) for Dan and Harry Skelton, and Harry Fry’s Grade 1-placed Gidleigh Park, who bumped into Jango Baie when second in the Grade 2 1965 Chase eight weeks ago.

Asked about the tactical nature of the Clarence House, with only four going to post, Cobden told Paddy Power’s Harry Cobden and the Weekly Podcast: “It will be tactical. Well, [Paul] Townend will obviously follow, won’t he? And Harry Skelton [on Thistle Ask] will go flat out, so I’d imagine we’d be somewhere in the middle.”

Also at Ascot, Cobden rides the current 10/1 favourite for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, Winston Junior, in the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle (12.25), though he nominated Welcom To Cartries in the three-mile BetMGM Handicap Chase (1.00) as his best chance of the weekend.

Festival fancy

“Winston Junior is a nice horse, I rode him [when second to Minella Study] at Cheltenham last time out,” said Cobden.

“He was quite keen, so I’d imagine we’d just try and get him to settle and ride him to come home, but he was very, very keen the last day, so we just need to get him to drop his head early in the race.

“Welcom To Cartries won well at Sandown the other day. He was a non-runner last weekend due to the ground, it was slightly too quick for him, so we decided to pull him out. This looks a nice race for him. He’s won around Ascot before over hurdles, so hopefully the track won’t be an issue. He seems in very good form at home, so fingers crossed he’ll run well.”

As well as with Jonbon, Cobden and McManus team up at Ascot through David Pipe’s Punchestown Festival winner Thanksforthehelp in the BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (2.53).