Sean Bowen Saturday rides blog: 'He should have a massive chance'

Coral ambassador and leading jockey Sean Bowen gives this thoughts on his seven rides at Aintree on Saturday.

It’s great to have a full book of rides on this busy Saturday, and for a range of trainers, so my agent is doing a great job! I start on Ben Solo, who I ride for the first time, and who did it nicely when winning at Chepstow last time. That was over 2 miles, but he ran as if 2 ½ would suit, so it’s no surprise he steps up in trip here.

This is a step up in grade and it looks a competitive race, and he carries a penalty for that Chepstow win, but Rebecca’s [Curtis] horses are running really well, so if he improves for the extra half mile, he could go close.

Another one for Rebecca, I’ve ridden this fellow before, and won on him two runs ago at Bangor. He stays very well, and bar a mistake at the last fence, he jumped great at Chepstow last time, when that error cost him the race. It was an encouraging reappearance and first start over fences, and as he’ll improve for the run, he should have a massive chance here. 

I’ve not ridden for Charles Byrnes before, and I don’t know much about Reverend Hubert, but this horse has been doing a bit of everything, chasing, hurdling and running on the flat, so he will be fit and well-schooled. I’m sure Charles will have a plan! 

Another first time ride for an Irish trainer, Jack Holiday has been running consistently well all summer, most recently finishing third at Kelso. He looks a like a front runner, he likes to jump off and go a good, strong gallop, so I imagine we’ll make the running and try to fend them off.  

The first race of the season over the National fences, and Sure Touch looks a lovely ride to have. He has done nothing but improve for Olly Murphy, starting off with a rating of 105 over hurdles, and now he's rated 143 over fences. The handicapper will get hold of him at some point, but he wasn't stopping when winning the Summer Plate last time, he goes well fresh, and Olly has had this in mind for him for some time.

As I say it is over the Grand National fences, he wouldn't be the biggest horse but you don't have to be to go well over these fences. Mac Tottie, for example wasn't a big horse but enjoyed plenty of success over these fences, so that doesn't bother me. You don't know how they will take to them until they try but I am very much looking forward to this. We’re lucky it hasn’t got too soft yet, and if he hasn't reached the ceiling of his improvement, he goes here with a live chance. 

Deploy To Spy has won his last two, so is off top weight here, which won’t make life easy. Two miles is almost on the sharp side for him, but he’s won his races over that trip so there’s no need yet to step him up. He could be vulnerable giving weight away here but hopefully he hasn't stopped improving. 

I end the day on another for Rebecca Curtis. Cedar Creek has just had the one run, at Exeter, where he ran well for a long time. He’s a son of Frankel so beautifully bred, although this wouldn’t have been the original plan when he was born! In 3-y-o Bumpers like this at this stage of the season you just don't know how good some of these horses will be, but my fellow should improve for his run. 

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