Willie Mullins takes son Patrick off big Dublin Racing Festival ride with immediate effect as Harry Cobden jets in

WILLIE MULLINS has replaced son Patrick on a big Dublin Racing Festival ride – as Harry Cobden jets in.

Paul Townend had ridden the hugely promising Anzadam on his first three rides for Mullins, finishing first, first and second.

But Grand National-winning hero Patrick was in the saddle for Anzadam’s fourth-place finish when last seen in the December Hurdle at Christmas.

Six-year-old Anzadam was very keen that day and folded to finish fourth, beaten around seven lengths by Lossiemouth at Leopardstown.

Cobden rides Joe and Marie Donnelly’s impressive novice chaser Kitzbuhel in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown on Saturday.

And he will team up with the owners again on Sunday when he rides Anzadam in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

He is 15-2 for the Grade 1, where stablemate Lossiemouth heads the market at 11-10 ahead of 7-4 second-fav Brighterdaysahead.

Anzadam is one of four big rides for Cobden at Leopardstown on Sunday.

He was confirmed as JP McManus’ new No1 jockey earlier this month, starting the role full-time in May.

Cobden only recently returned from an injury he sustained on Clarence House Chase day, where he was forced to give up the ride on winner Jonbon.

His first ride on Sunday will be on Tony Bloom’s The Reverend in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle for trainer Mullins.

Cobden will don the McManus silks for the leg up on Sa Majeste – a 22-1 chance – in the Grade 3 handicap chase.

Anzadam is next before Cobden will wear Bloom’s Brighton colours once again for his fourth and final ride on Sunday aboard 12-1 Bunting.

Cobden’s British colleague Sean Bowen will also be in Leopardstown this weekend, although Haiti Couleurs was not declared for the Irish Gold Cup.

But it looks like Cobden, who will continue riding as Paul Nicholls’ No1 until May, is getting a taste of life in Ireland.

He can expect a load more big rides over there when he takes over from Mark Walsh full-time.

It’s not all doom and gloom for Patrick though.

He takes the ride on huge Irish Gold Cup chance Gaelic Warrior for Rich Ricci and picks up a spare for Gordon Elliott in the bumper on Generous Risk.

On Sunday, the talented amateur has three rides, including on last year’s Coral Cup winner Jimmy Du Seuil in his rematch with Final Demand.

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