Sean Bowen Friday rides blog: 'He has a massive chance of a hat-trick'

Sean Bowen is back with his latest Coral blog, this time previewing the rides he has on Friday (April 25) at the Perth meeting live on ITV.

The week started brilliantly with victory in the Irish Grand National on Haiti Couleurs. I’d said before the race that winning it would crown a great season, and honestly, I never really had a worry during the race. He could be a Grand National horse for next year, or even a Gold Cup horse, so he’s really exciting to look forward to.

 With two days of the season left, I’m carrying on as I’ve approached the whole year, taking as many rides as I can, and here I’m at Perth for six. Junker d’Allier won a couple of novice hurdles in the autumn, and we then stepped him up to Grade 1 level at Aintree at Christmas, which was a step too far. 

He had a wind-op after that, but disappointed again on his next run, so he does need to get his old form back. Whatever he does here though, he’ll be jumping a fence next season, it would just be good to see him end this season back on the right track. 

This horse was off for well over a year, and after a couple of runs back, has hit form recently, winning his last two. He still gets in here off a nice weight, the trip will suit, and he’s won around Perth, so he has lots in his favour. I hope he can run a massive race as he goes for the hat-trick.

Heard That had been running well this season, winning three runs ago, but last time he had no chance when a loose horse basically ran him off the track. He’s been freshened up since then, and I hope he can run a big race off this mark.

Another who has had a very good season, until last time, when he just never let himself down on the ground at Haydock. Prior to that his form was decent, and again, he’s been freshened up for this, he should take the step up in trip well, and so if he returns to his best form, he can go well.

Tramuntana was a winner on his first start in a handicap, and he won despite being quite green. I hope he’s still well-handicapped here, he is still a big baby and I’m sure there is more to come, but this is a bigger field so he’ll need to improve, and grow up a little bit, but he’s capable of both.

This horse was a little bit keen on his debut, he just did too much the whole way around, so in the circumstances did well to finish third. I’ll drop in him here, try to settle him, but I like him a lot and he’s a lovely horse for the future. 

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