Harry Cobden set to continue to thrive under Paul Nicholls despite losing his claim

HARRY COBDEN will continue to get plenty of opportunities for Paul Nicholls despite riding out his claim at Musselburgh on Saturday.

Cobden partnered Diego Du Charmil to win the Scottish County Hurdle, meaning he now has to join the professional ranks.

Nicholls said: "He has done extremely well to reach that landmark so quickly for one so young and nothing will change now that he is unable to claim an allowance.

"Harry will continue to ride plenty of horses for Team Ditcheat as he joins our roster of talented senior jockeys.

"Diego Du Charmil will have an entry in the County Hurdle at the Festival but he is ground dependent and wouldn't be going to Cheltenham if the going turns soft.

"Another option might be the Scottish Champion Hurdle."

Nicholls enjoyed a fruitful weekend north of the border with four other winners at Musselburgh.

"It was good to see Wonderful Charm get his head in front in the hunter chase for the first time in a while," the Ditcheat handler told www.paulnichollsracing.com.

"We will try to qualify him for the Foxhunters in the next three weeks but he, too, needs good ground.

"Frodon is enjoying a tremendous season with five wins already this winter. He has done so well for a young horse and while he is in the JLT Chase at Cheltenham I might look for other opportunities for him, including the Pendil Chase at Kempton.

"San Benedeto excelled himself back in trip on a flat track on good ground in the Scottish Champion Chase. Although I'll enter him in the Grand Annual it will probably be too soft for him at Cheltenham.

"I was surprised and thrilled to see El Bandit land the Pertemps Qualifier as he wasn't fully wound up after a break of 72 days.

"I am sure there is improvement to come from this prolific horse who is proving to be a rare money spinner for his three owners and is now qualified for the Pertemps Final."