It was an incredible weekend for Harry Cobden, with superstar chasers Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname among his four winners at Ascot on Saturday. Read his exclusive thoughts on those two and their Cheltenham chances.

Four winners for you at Ascot on an incredible Saturday, that must have been some day? What were the celebrations like at Ditcheat after that?

It was an incredible day and definitely one to remember. You just get an absolute buzz. The atmosphere at places like Ascot etc. is brilliant. I went to The Manor at Ditcheat to celebrate with the staff…but I only stayed for about half an hour as I had to make the 3-hour trek to Huntingdon the next day.

Clan Des Obeaux was seriously impressive yet again, what feel did he give you compared to Kempton? Do you think he's improved again since then?

I feel like he has massively progressed from the time I rode him in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and he is still improving. His jumping on Saturday was so slick, I have huge confidence in this horse. He jumped the last to perfection, just like he did in the King George.

Just how excited are you for the Cheltenham Gold Cup with him now?

To ride any horse at the Cheltenham Festival is absolutely fantastic but having a ride in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is a dream come true to me. I remember those days when I was still at school and watching it on the TV. It’s really exciting for the owners and I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well with Clan in the run up to the festival and he delivers on the day.

Do you have any concerns about the track at Cheltenham or do you think he's the one to beat?

He has jumped slightly right in the past and obviously it is a very open race. I definitely wouldn’t underestimate Native River if the ground is to be soft.

Cyrname is now the highest rated horse in training, how surprised have you been with his improvement in his last two starts?

He has not been the easiest horse to train/ride since coming from France but Mr Nicholls has done a brilliant job with settling him and giving him the confidence, he needs. I always thought he was going to be a good horse, but I did not think he would be currently the highest rated horse in training.

The Punchestown Gold Cup has been mentioned as his next target, is going right-handed absolutely vital to him?

The two occasions he went left-handed last year were disappointing runs but he is stronger and matured well since last season. I would not be afraid of going left-handed again.

And an end of season clash with Altior at Sandown has been mentioned, do you fancy your chances taking him on?

Altior has the perfect form figures and is a true champion in his own right. I would not be afraid of taking any horse on. It would be an interesting race to say the least.

And finally, how do Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname compare and how do they differ?

Clan Des Obeaux is a very relaxed horse and jumps and travels well. Whereas Cyrname is quite a keen going character who has to go from the front. They are both extremely talented horses.

Read Harry Cobden every week on GG in the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival.