Sean Bowen weekend rides blog: 'He will appreciate this step up'

Sean Bowen shares his latest Coral blog with an update on the Jockeys’ Championship, his 5 rides at Wetherby on Saturday and 2 rides at Musselburgh on Sunday.

There is a long way to go in the season, but I could not be happier with the way Jockeys’ Championship campaign has gone so far. I am where I want to be at this stage of the season, which is top of the standings. I know Harry Skelton is going to push me hard as Dan Skelton’s horses are running well. I need to keep riding winners to hold him off the best I can.

I know the David Power Jockeys’ Cup has been introduced this year, and I can only speak highly of that initiative, especially with the prize money available. However, my number one ambition is to be Champion Jumps’ Jockey, which is why on a Saturday you will sometimes see me elsewhere, like I am this weekend at Wetherby, rather than Sandown or Musselburgh. I will always go where I think I have the best chance of riding a winner of two. 

I am excited about the remainder of the season, as I think Olly has some good horses who will relish the final months of the campaign. But ultimately, every day you hope you avoid a bad injury, as we saw last season how quickly things can change with a bad fall.

It is not a horse I’ve ridden before, but he ran well behind a well-handicapped horse at Ayr last time out. He is now going over fences and I am told he has schooled well and there is a good chance he will find some improvement for the switch to chasing. Hopefully, he can take advantage of this mark of 97.

I was very happy with his run at Ffos Las on his latest appearance. The 2m trip was a little too short for him, but he was competitive and just got done for pace in the closing stages of that race. He will appreciate this step up to 2m3½f. There is a lot going in his favour, so we won’t have excuses for him.

This horse was a winner at Perth back in the summer. He was then disappointing on his return to action over this C&D on his first run back. I was told Micky Hammond’s horses were out of form then, so maybe we can put a line through that result. This is a competitive handicap but there is no reason why my runner can’t figure here.

I liked him when he ran at Ascot in what was a decent race. A couple of them have come out and won since. If he can take another step forward here, this looks like a good chance for him to break his maiden.

He was up there with the early pace in his debut for Olly in a bumper at Market Rasen back in December. He then just got tired in the closing stages. He was bought for a bit of money, so he is well thought of.

He has been consistent in the staying races. He ran well when just beaten in the Durham National but then was disappointing at Newcastle. That race came too soon for him. He has had a little time off now so hopefully he will be much fresher.

I don’t know much about this horse, but he had some good form on the Flat and he is a well-bred type. It is also nice to pick up a ride for Gordon Elliot as he does not send horses over here unless they have a great chance. 

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