Sean Bowen (photographed) rode his 1,000th winner on Friday in a humble Fakenham bumper on the Olly Murphy-trained Kefir D’Oudairies. The landmark has taken just over eleven years, his first winner being in December 2013. The thousand includes one in Ireland and two flat races. Bowen enjoyed a rare day off on Sunday, fourteen ahead of Harry Skelton in the hunt for the jockeys’ title. Success would make him the first Welsh-born champion since Dick Francis 71 years ago.
Kefir D’Oudairies made all the running and was all out to win by a head. Sean’s parents Peter and Karen had made the seven and a half hour journey to witness his achievement, which had been prefaced by a hard-earned victory in the preceding race. In that one his mount Lyrical Genius repeatedly jumped to the left, threatening to go through the birch on the side of the fence.
Lorcan Williams had a Saturday to remember at Wincanton with a double, beginning with his Cheltenham Festival winner Golden Ace in the Kingwell Hurdle. The mare had been slightly disappointing this season, as had others in the Jeremy Scott yard, but came back to form today, seeing off Burdett Road after a terrific battle from the second last. She seems to be better at a strongly-run two miles than over two and a half, though she has won at the longer trip. Connections now have to consider Cheltenham. The mare isn’t good enough to win a Champion Hurdle but if there’s a small field they might sneak a place.
Entering the home straight Williams had bagged the stands side rail, which is advantageous in Wincanton’s hurdle races, and he did so again on Golden Ace’s stablemate The Sainted Canary in the maiden. There was another exciting finish, and again Williams came out on top. The Canary had shown promise and his chances were greatly improved by the withdrawal of the morning favourite. It was the culmination of a treble for Scott.
Monmouthshire trainer Thomas Faulkner sent Golden Flame all the way to Newcastle on Saturday to finish second. Rated as high as 95 when with Charlie and Mark Johnston, he’d had 20 months off before returning to the track with the Faulkners in June. This was his first sign of form now that he was down to 72, and he should be capable of winning a race or two.
Ben Jones rode the winner of the first at Ascot that day, Samuel Spade. The horse was carrying twelve stone and has often been a less than fluent hurdler, hence starting at 14/1. Trying three miles for only the second time, he was held up towards the rear until making steady progress in the final half mile and hitting the front after the last. Jones said that Samuel Spade needed the slower pace of a three-mile contest to help his jumping.
Chepstow’s Beer and Cider Race Day with Six Nations fans zone is this Saturday 22nd February. The first race is off at 1.25pm. Spaces are still available in the restaurant.
