The revealing new TV show Champions: Full Gallop continues to give viewers a peek into the lives of some of jump racing’s biggest stars.
The fascinating six-part docuseries charts the second half of last season and features the main players in the dramatic tussle for the Jump Jockey’s Championship.
Spoiler alert: Harry Cobden became Champion Jockey for the first time.
In the early stages of this season he lags behind pace-setting Harry Skelton and last term’s runner-up Sean Bowen, and is out of action for a short spell following a fall at Stratford on Sunday.
However, with nine months and the all-important winter period still to come, you can be sure he won’t be giving up his title without a fight.
Here we look at the main contenders.
Jump Jockeys' Championship
Harry Skelton
The 2020/21 Champion has been quick out of the blocks.
A Warwick treble just a week into the new season got the ball rolling and Harry has followed it with similar hat-tricks at Stratford and Fakenham.
His scorching start has been powered by the might of his brother Dan’s prolific stables. Not only have all of Harry’s winners been trained by his sibling, he hasn’t taken a single outside ride.
It hasn’t stopped him racing into the lead but the 34-year-old will have to keep up a relentless pace if he is to claim his second Champion Jockey’s crown?
Sean Bowen
Last season’s title defeat to Harry Cobden was hard on Sean.
The Welsh rider had skipped into a clear lead over the summer months and he looked a strong favourite to be Champion Jockey heading into the Christmas break before disaster struck.
A knee injury suffered in a crashing fall from Farren Glory in Aintree’s Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle ruled out the 26-year-old for five weeks.
When he returned, Harry Cobden had the momentum that ultimately took him to title glory.
This year, if he avoids injury – an occupational hazard of being a jump jockey – he could easily set the record straight.
He has already booted in trebles at Cartmel and Uttoxeter, with the training partnership of his dad Peter and brother Mickey providing plenty of firepower.
Sean can also call on Olly Murphy’s formidable armoury for ammunition, so it’s no surprise he is again helping push the pace in the title race.
Harry Cobden
It’s no surprise reigning champ Harry has been unable to keep up with the early pacesetters.
As stable jockey to 14-times champion trainer Paul Nicholls, he was never going to be at his most prolific early in the season. He will also be out of action for a short period following a fall at Stratford on Sunday, further hindering any chances of an early lead.
He’s still been ticking over with the help of his boss’ small summer squad and he will fancy his chances of chasing down any lead his rivals hold heading into the main season in September.
The 25-year-old has shown all his character in Champions: Full Gallop but his track record shows he has the talent to match.
Jump racing’s biggest prizes will be Harry’s number one aim again this season but will he have the numbers to make sure his title defence is a strong one?
Henry Brooke
Brian Hughes proved it is possible to become champion jockey riding primarily in the north and Henry looks a lively outsider to follow suit.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to the season and he will have plenty of supporters during the winter months.
He has struck up a fruitful relationship with the increasingly-powerful training partnership of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
Yorkshire-based Adrian Keatley has also chipped in with a good few winners to help Henry into third place behind Harry Skelton and Sean Bowen in the title race.
The slightly less competitive northern scene could help make him a genuine contender to be Champion Jockey.
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