David Power Jockey's Cup: Skelton enjoys comfortable lead as Nico closes on Cobden

• David Power Jockey's Cup standings ITV Racing on 22 February

• Harry Skelton's lead a massive 78 points

• Cobden still in with a shout with Grand National week looming

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What is the David Power Jockey's Cup?

The David Power Jockey's Cup is a new, season-long league competition in UK Jumps racing, offering a record-breaking £1.338 million prize fund. It is designed to bring fans closer to the sport and celebrate jockeys as the stars.

The DPJC's new league format is easy to follow and thrilling to watch, bringing fans closer to the action with each event. More than just a contest, it's a platform to highlight jockeys as the stars of Jumps racing, giving audiences a reason to rally behind their favourites in every race.

The new idea represents a collective commitment to elevate Jumps racing, engage new fans and inspire the next generation of racing talent.

How does the David Power Jockey's Cup work?

The DPJC covers all UK jump races televised on ITV, allowing fans across the UK to follow the league.

The competition introduces a simple, points-based league format to ensure fans can easily track their favourite jockeys throughout the season. Points will be awarded for each UK jumps race shown on ITV with points awarded for finishing first (10 points), second (8 points) third (6 points) and fourth (4 points).

It is open to all jump jockeys riding in ITV races, including renowned names such as Harry Cobden, Harry Skelton, and Nico de Boinville. This group of elite athletes will compete across the season's most prestigious events, bringing thrilling rivalries and intense competition to every race.

A huge £500,000 is on the line for the top jockey, while £200,000 goes to second place with £100,000 on offer for third. Rewards also extend through the top 10, while there are dedicated funds for trainers and stable staff, as well as the two leading conditional jockeys.

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David Power Jockey's Cup leaderboard and results

24 March - Skelton stays well clear of rivals

Harry Skelton holds a commanding lead in the race to win the inaugural edition of the David Power Jockeys' Cup following a weekend which saw him riding at Newbury on Saturday.  

Skelton has racked up an impressive 378 with his rides and is 74 points ahead of Harry Cobden who added four to his tally at the weekend. 

Third placed Nico De Boinville enjoyed a fruitful weekend increasing his total from 278 to 296 points which means he is closing in on Cobden for the silver medal spot. 

As we pointed out in last week's update, however, Coben is the jockey most likely to challenge given that the trainer he rides for most, Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls, has enjoyed more success at Aintree than at Cheltenham in recent seasons. Nicholls told Betfair this morning that he was sending a strong team to Aintree and said the Grand National meeting would be a big one for his yard.

DPJC Leaderboard:

Harry Skelton: 378
- Harry Cobden: 304
- Nico de Boinville: 296
- Sam Twiston-Davies: 260
- Sean Bowen: 222
- Gavin Sheehan: 188
- Charlie Deutsch: 152
- Ben Jones: 152
- Jonjo O'Neill Jnr: 140
- Brendan Powell: 134

*standings correct as of end of racing on Saturday 22 March

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15 March - Skelton clear but it's not over

Harry Skelton remains well clear in the David Power Jockey Cup standings following Cheltenham Festival week and the Midlands Grand National meeting at Uttoxeter on Saturday.

Skelton was 80 points clear following Cheltenham, and although that lead was trimmed by a tiny two points on Saturday he's still the overwhelming favourite to become the inaugural winner of the David Power Jockey Cup.

But as the old saying goes, it's not over until the fat lady sings, and that will give encouragement to the two men chasing Skelton, Harry Cobden and Nico de Boinville.

Coben is 78 points behind Skelton and is the man most likely to put up a challenge given that the trainer he rides for most, Paul Nicholls, has enjoyed more success at Aintree than he has at Cheltenham in recent seasons. Nicholls is likely to have plenty of Saturday runners in the coming weeks before sending a strong team to Aintree for the Grand National meeting.

DPJC Leaderboard:

- Harry Skelton: 378
- Harry Cobden: 300
- Nico de Boinville: 278
- Sam Twiston-Davies: 256
- Sean Bowen: 212
- Gavin Sheehan: 188
- Charlie Deutsch: 152
- Ben Jones: 152
- Jonjo O'Neill Jnr: 140
- Brendan Powell: 126

*standings correct as of end of racing on Saturday 15 March

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14 March - DPJC Leaderboard after the 2025 Cheltenham Festival:

- Harry Skelton: 360
- Harry Cobden: 280
- Nico de Boinville: 260
- Sam Twiston-Davies: 256
- Sean Bowen: 212
- Gavin Sheehan: 182
- Charlie Deutsch: 144
- Ben Jones: 134
- Jonjo O'Neill Jnr: 128
- Brendan Powell: 112

*standings correct as of end of racing on Friday 14 March

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23 February - Cobden edges closer to Skelton again

Harry Cobden closed the gap at the top of the David Power Jockey's Cup standings for the second week running after accumulating 14 points at Kempton on Saturday.

Cobden produced a never-say-die ride on Pendil Novices' Chase favourite Rubaud to win narrowly, the only negative being that the jockey who finished second was overall leader Harry Skelton.

However, Cobden's two-point advantage over Skelton on the day turned into six points when he finished fourth in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. Both jockeys drew a blank in their remaining rides.

Skelton leads the standings on 290 points, 24 ahead of Cobden in second and there's now a 36-point gap to Sam Twiston-Davies in third, who picked up four points on Saturday thanks to a fourth-place finish in the handicap chase.

DPJC Leaderboard:

- Harry Skelton:  290
- Harry Cobden:  266
- Sam Twiston-Davies:  230
- Nico de Boinville:  214
- Sean Bowen:  176
- Gavin Sheehan:  160
- Charlie Deutsch:  144
- Ben Jones:  128

*standings correct as of end of racing on Saturday 22 February

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16 February - Good day for Cobden

Harry Skelton remains clear at the top of the David Power Jockey's Cup but his lead was trimmed by six points after Saturday's televised ITV Racing at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton.

Skelton collected 12 points on the afternoon thanks to a runner-up and a fourth place finish at Ascot, taking his tally to 282 points, 30 ahead of nearest pursuer Harry Cobden.

Cobden collected 18 points on Saturday thanks to a second place finish on Threeunderthrufive in the Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase before landing the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase on Pic D'Orhy in tremendous fashion.

Sam Twiston-Davies remains in third after collecting six points on Saturday but it was a bad day for Nico de Boinville who drew a blank after being unseated on odds-on favourite Jingko Blue in the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase.

DPJC Leaderboard:

- Harry Skelton:  282
- Harry Cobden:  252
- Sam Twiston-Davies:  226
- Nico de Boinville:  206
- Sean Bowen:  176
- Gavin Sheehan:  154
- Charlie Deutsch:  134
- Ben Jones:  118

*standings correct as of end of racing on Saturday 15 February

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9 February - Saturday double sees Skelton extend lead

A week after having his lead cut to 18 points, Harry Skelton skipped 36 points clear again at the top of the David Power Jockey's Cup leaderboard thanks to riding a brace of winners at Warwick on Saturday.

Skelton struck on red hot favourite L'eau Du Sud before winning again on the well-backed Le Milos later on the card. In between those two victories he also finished fourth in another ITV Race meaning he picked up 24 points on the afternoon.

In contrast, the jockey who cut Skelton's lead a week ago, Harry Cobden, only picked up six points on Saturday thanks to a third-place finish on Bravemansgame in the Denman Chase.

Cobden remains in second in the standings on 234 points, 16 ahead of Sam Twiston-Davies and 28 ahead of Nico de Boinville, both of whom rode a big Saturday winner at Newbury.

DPJC Leaderboard:

- Harry Skelton:  270
- Harry Cobden:  234
- Sam Twiston-Davies:  218
- Nico de Boinville:  206
- Sean Bowen:  172
- Gavin Sheehan:  150
- Charlie Deutsch:  124
- Ben Jones:  108

*standings correct as of end of racing on Saturday 8 February

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3 February - Cobden cuts Skelton's lead

Harry Cobden produced a string of impressive rides at Sandown on Saturday to close the gap on David Power Jockey's Cup leader Harry Skelton.

Cobden was victorious at Sandown on Saturday as well as riding Just Lucky Sivola to a third-placed finish and Henri The Second to a second in front of the ITV cameras.

That brings him up to 228 points on the leaderboard, just 18 behind Skelton whose best finish at the same meeting was a third on Etalon. 

Sam Twiston-Davies is third on the leaderboard with 204. After the latest round then, it is the two Harrys who look set to battle it out for the prestigious prize in its inaugural season.

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26 January - Little change as Skelton holds healthy lead

Harry Skelton enjoyed another successful day - points wise at least - without actually riding a winner, though his lead at the top of the David Power Jockey's Cup standings was trimmed slightly, from 30 points last week to 28 points this week.

Skelton chose to go Doncaster on Saturday and rode a second, third and fourth in the ITV races to add a further 18 point to his tally. He now has 232 points in total, 28 ahead of Sam Twiston-Davies.

😛 @samtwiston is chasing down @harryskelton89

Just 28 points separate the top two in the David Power Cup.

The race for the £500,000 prize is finely poised. pic.twitter.com/kxsojoBCmn

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) January 25, 2025

Twiston-Davies was at Cheltenham on Saturday for the Betfair-sponsored Trials day where he rode two winners on the card to take his points tally to 204.

Harry Cobden, despite the Paul Nicholls stable perhaps not firing on all cylinders quite yet, rode a brace of runner-ups to add 16 points to his tally. Cobden remains third in the table, 38 points behind Skelton.

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20 January - 200 up for leader Skelton

Harry Skelton became the first jockey to reach 200 points in the inugural David Power Jockeys' Cup after a busy weekend of racing.

The DPJC leader, who has reached 214 points to lead the competition by 30 from Sam Twiston-Davies, was in action at Windsor and Haydock on a weekend when he reached the milestone.

Harry Cobden is third on the leaderboard, only six points behind Twiston-Davies, after a weekend of rides at Windsor and Ascot which included a victory on Jubilee Alpha on Sunday that Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls discussed in today's Ditcheat Diaries.

David Jockey's Cup Leaderboard - Top Five

214 - Harry Skelton
184 - Sam Twiston-Davies
178 - Harry Cobden
178 - Nico de Boinville
140 - Sean Bowen

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13 January - Skelton extends lead but Twiston-Davies in hot pursuit

Harry Skelton extended his lead in the David Power Jockey's Cup on a weather-affected weekend of racing that saw several meetings cancelled.

The 35-year-old rode Giantsgrave to victory at Ffos Las and now leads the race by 16 points from Sam Twiston-Davies. The latter was riding at the same track on Saturday but didn't manage to ride any winners in the cold conditions.

David Power Jockeys' Cup standings 👇@harryskelton89 leads the way 🔝@samtwiston, @NdeBoinville, @CobdenHarry and @Sean_Bowen_ on his heels. pic.twitter.com/xBGQe4csSg

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) January 11, 2025

Nico de Boinville, who sits third in the table did not have any rides. Racing fans will hope for better conditions next weekend and more action for ITV to cover in the next round of the David Power Jockey's Cup.

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01 Janaury - De Boinville and Twiston-Davies make ground on Skelton

Nico De Boinville and Sam Twiston-Davies closed the gap to leader Harry Skelton at Cheltenham on New Year's Day with winners across the card.

De Boinville managed to win two of the four ITV Races across the afternoon, steering Chantry House and Lucky Place to victory for trainer Nicky Henderson gaining him 20 points.

Twiston-Davies moved into second place behind Harry Skelton after winning the final race on ITV on Wednesday for Henry Daly aboard Strackan, and also gaining second on Gowel Road in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle.

Harry Skelton was not able to add to his lead at the top staying on 174 points, with Sam Twiston-Davies now in hot pursuit in second on 162 and De Boinville moved up to third ahead of Harry Skelton on 154.

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29 December - Cobden moves up to second behind Skelton

Harry Skelton extended his lead at the top of the David Power Jockey's Cup standings to 30 points over the busy Christmas racing period and he's now on 174 points, 30 points clear of his closest rival Harry Cobden.

Skelton enjoyed winners and places over the three days of ITV Racing with the most impressive being The New Lion who strolled to success in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle on Saturday.

Despite a number of Paul Nicholls' horses running below par over the festive period Coben moved up to second in the standings on 144 points thanks to a winner and a few places, while Sam Twiston-Davies moved up to third on 136 points.

Latest David Power Jockeys' Cup standings 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/qV4tGC4yBK

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) December 28, 2024

Nico de Boinville had two high profile winners, winning on Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle before riding Sir Gino to a very impressive victory over Ballyburn on his chasing debut 24 hours later. De Boinville is fourth in the standings on 134 points.

The ITV Racing cameras will next be in action on New Year's Day for the Betfair-sponsored meeting at Cheltenham, while races will also be shown from Musselburgh.

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22 December - Twiston-Davies and Cobden narrow the gap

It was a blank day for all five leading jockeys in the David Power Jockey's Cup on Saturday as they all failed to ride a winner on any of ITV's live races, however a brace of places for both Sam Twiston-Davies and Harry Cobden has seen the gap at the top of the standings narrow.

Harry Skelton still leads the way on 138 points, but his lead is down to 16 points over Twiston-Davies. Skelton picked up just six points on Saturday thanks to a third-place finish while Twiston-Davies collected 14 points thanks to a second and third place finish.

The David Power Jockeys' Cup leaderboard 🏆

The race for the £500,000 first prize is heating up!@harryskelton89 leads @samtwiston by 16 points.@CobdenHarry & @NdeBoinville chasing them down. pic.twitter.com/zAC2xnbESW

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) December 21, 2024

Cobden also picked up 14 points with second and third place finishes at Ascot and he has moved up to third in the standings on 104 points.

Nico de Boinville did ride a winner at Haydock on Saturday, but sadly for him it was in one of the earlier races before the ITV Cameras started rolling. He remains on 102 points and drops down to fourth place in the standings.

The action now moves to the very busy Christmas period with many days of ITV Racing between now and the New Year, starting with the brilliant Boxing Day action at Kempton.

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15 December - Skelton maintains nice lead

Harry Skelton remains clear in the race to win the inaugural David Power Jockey's Cup thanks to collecting 18 points at Cheltenham's two-day Christmas meeting.

Skelton failed to ride a winner on any of ITV's races over the two days, but his second, third and fourth places finishes earned him his 18 points and moved the in-form jockey 24 points clear of Sam Twiston-Davies.

Like Skelton, Twiston-Davies accumulated 18 points over the two days, while Nico de Boinville - currently third in the standings - collected 16 points.

Latest David Power Jockeys' Cup leaderboard:@harryskelton89 is now 24 points clear of @samtwiston 👀 pic.twitter.com/XtKqXist7G

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) December 14, 2024

Although points can be accumulated quickly and positions are likely to change, the destiny of the DPJC, for now, looks between the leading five jockeys in the table that also includes Harry Cobden and Sean Bowen, both of who are currently tied for fourth on 90 points.

The ITV Cameras will be at Ascot and Haydock on Saturday where more points will be up for grabs for the leading jockeys before the action packed Christmas racing coverage begins from Boxing Day, 26 December.

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8 December - Bonanza weekend for Skelton sees him skip clear

Harry Skelton has moved clear in the race to win the David Power Jockey's Cup after a tremendous weekend at Sandwon and Huntingdon.

Skelton - now on 114 points and 24 clear of Sam Twiston-Davies in second and 28 clear of Nico de Boinville in third - rode two winners on the Betfair-sponsored Tingle Creek Chase card on Saturday before riding a first, second and a third at Huntingdon on Sunday.

The fabulous two days for Skelton just goes to show how volatile the standings can be, and how just one good weekend can move a jockey up the standings in the blink of an eye. Skelton wasn't even in the first three in the table going in to the weekend, but his 48 points accrued has seen him shoot clear.

Harry Skelton extends his lead at the top of the David Power #JockeysCup standings 📈 pic.twitter.com/coi3hIZNkL

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) December 8, 2024

Twiston-Davies rode a winner and a second in ITV's two Kelso races on Sunday to move him up to 90 points, while De Boinville enjoyed two winners and a second over the weekend to move up from fifth in the standings to third on 86 points. Harry Cobden collected 10 points on Sunday and is in solo fourth on 80 points.

The action moves quickly on to the Christmas meeting at Cheltenham on Friday and Saturday while Doncaster will also be on ITV Racing at the weekend.

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1 December - Twiston-Davies leads but Cobden a big threat

Harry Skelton drew a blank on Newbury's ITV races on Friday and Saturday, his only winner coming in the race just before the ITV Racing cameras started to roll meaning he has now lost his lead in the David Power Jockey's Cup (DPJC) standings.

Our new leader is Sam Twiston-Davies, while Harry Cobden had a great two days to move menacingly into a tie for second with Sean Bowen.

Both jockeys demonstrated that winning races isn't the be-all and end-all to this competition and that being placed is equally important.

Twiston-Davies rode a brace of seconds on Saturday to move him up to 72 point, while champion jockey Cobden - who rides for Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls of course - had just one winner on ITV Racing over the two days, but a pair of seconds and a third took his points tally to 70.

After three weekends of racing in the DPJC, here's how the standings look:

David Power Jockeys' Cup 🏆@samtwiston takes the lead.@Sean_Bowen_, @CobdenHarry, @harryskelton89 and @NdeBoinville are clipping at his heels.

The race for the £500K first prize is heating up! pic.twitter.com/zPM8Gbpjea

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) November 30, 2024

The ITV Racing cameras will be in action again on Saturday for Betfair Tingle Creek day at Sandown, while races from Aintree will also be shown live on ITV.

We can expect all the top jockeys to be at one of the featured meetings, so we're certain to see more movement on the leaderboard as the likes of Twiston-Davies, Cobden, Skelton, Sean Bowen and Nico de Boinville do battle in the race to be crowned the inaugural winner of the David Power Jockey's Cup

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25 November - Skelton eight points clear at the top

Harry Skelton only managed second place on pre-race favourite Grey Dawning in the Betfair Chase at Haydock as Royale Pagaille won for the second year in a row.

But Skelton leads the David Power Jockeys' Cup (DPJC) on 60 points and is eight points clear of Sam Twiston Davies.

The latter rode two winners at Chepstow on Friday and was on Bravemansgame who finished third in the Betfair Chase - a run Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls was pleased with in today's Ditcheat Diary.

After two weekends of racing in the DPJC, here's how the standings look:

Not to be for @harryskelton89 on @Betfair Chase day, but he ends it top of the David Power Jockeys' Cup standings.

The chase for the £500,000 top prize continues 🏆 pic.twitter.com/IkyURjWVOm

-- Betfair Racing (@BetfairRacing) November 23, 2024

The Betfair Chase-winning jocket Charlie Deutsche is on the leaderboard with 20 points after following up that victory with another in the The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Nico de Boinvile is third on the leaderboard with 48 points after winning the Howden Hurdle at Ascot with Lucky Place on Saturday.

De Boinville saw off competition in that race from Nicholls' Blueking d'Oroux which Harry Cobden rode to a second place finish.

Cobden has 34 points, and sits directly behind Sean Bowen (46), in the DPJC. Bowen enjoyed another strong weekend, riding two winners at Uttoxeter.

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18 November - Bowen and Skelton share lead after first weekend

The opening weekend of the David Power Jockey's Cup saw three superb days of action from Cheltenham Racecourse.

On the Friday, Nico De Boinville made a fast start when landing the first and second race of the competition. Hyland made it two out of two over fences at jumps racing HQ and Jonbon secured back to back wins in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase.

Sam Twiston-Davies managed to get in on the act in Friday's final ITV race, steering the impressive Potters Charm to a Grade 2 success.

On the Saturday Harry Skelton, the 9/43.25 second favourite to win the competition before it had begun, put his hat into the ring when winning the Grade 2 Arkle Trial aboard the highly impressive L'Eau du Sud.

He made it two wins for the afternoon when giving Doyen Quest a pearling ride, producing him from last to first after the final flight to win the 3m Handicap Hurdle.

Sunday saw the honours shared between some of the best British jockeys in the game with all of Nico De Boinville, Sam Twiston-Davies, Sean Bowen and Harry Cobden managing to land a winner. Cobden took the feature Greatwood Hurdle aboard Burdett Road on his sole ride of the afternoon.

After the first three days of the competition here is how the standings look:

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