It was an excellent weekend for James Bowen, who rode three winners.
He had a straightforward task to get Kingston Pride home in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter on Saturday. His Nicky Henderson-trained mount had won a point and a bumper and was odds on to take this, his first attempt over the smaller obstacles. He cost 200,000 euros eighteen months ago, so connections will be hoping for much more to come.
At Fontwell on Sunday he held up Henderson’s Kade De Joie for most of the 2m2f handicap hurdle and made gradual progress in the straight, brushing aside a mistake at the penultimate flight. He collared the leader on the run-in and after a brief tussle exerted his superiority to win by a length. The ride displayed Bowen’s great confidence in the horse’s ability and his own.
He completed a double at the Sussex track on Quantock Hills for Warren Greatrex in the juvenile hurdle. Bought after finishing second and first in France, he upset the odds on a locally-trained favourite in decisive fashion despite carrying a penalty.
Richard Patrick rode El Vigaro to win for Matt Sheppard at Uttoxeter. The horse built on his second-place finish over course and distance two weeks ago. This was Patrick’s first win since May. Fewer summer jump meetings and small fields meant that he is one of many jump jockeys to have had limited opportunities in that time.
Callum Pritchard, basking in the glory of his Badger Beer win on Al Dancer, used his ten-pound claim to good effect on the Ben Pauling-trained Densworth in a 2m4f chase at Wetherby. One bold leftward leap at the second last almost caught the jockey out, but he galloped on strongly to a seven-length victory.
On the same card Kalium, with the benefit of a good second over hurdles three weeks ago, beat a quartet of inexperienced novices. Bought after a 19-length bumper success for £100,000, he provided Tim Vaughan with his third winner of the season and Alan Johns with his second.
Earlier this month Johns (photographed) was presented with one of the annual JETS (the Jockeys Education and Training Scheme) Awards. In preparation for a career after racing, for the last eighteen months he has been doing more social media work with the help of JETS. You may have seen his videos for the last two Welsh Jump Jockeys Derbys.
David Probert half won the finale at Wolverhampton on Saturday night. Riding Star Time for Alan King, he finished with a flourish to catch the pacesetter on the line and force a dead heat.
In contrast to his brother, Sean Bowen had a weekend to forget. Having ridden a close second and a final-fence faller that looked likely to win, he scored on Abuffalosoldier in Cheltenham’s long-distance chase, only for the horse to sadly collapse and die after the race.
There are 169 entries for our meeting this Wednesday 20th November which means there should be decent field sizes. There are seven races from 12.15pm. Tickets are £17 in advance.
