Champion jockey Sean Bowen completed a magnificent hat-trick of winners to further boost his tally before officially retaining his title when the current National Hunt season ends at Sandown at the end of April.
Trainer Christian Williams sent horses on a 540-mile round trip from his stables in Wales and was rewarded when Bowen rode 7/4 favourite Fortunefavorsdbold to victory in the Weatherbys Mares’ Chase.
Ballygelly, the winner of the race last year, led until the closing stages when Bowen steered his mount clear and held off the challenge of Annie Nail, a winner at the course on Easter Monday.
“She has been placed so many times this season, I’m pleased she’s won this one,” said Bowen, certain to be champion jockey again, for the 2025/6 season.
Bowen then took the Woodfordes Supports Dereham Meeting Point Chase with 6/4 favourite Esperti for trainer David Rees.
Blackacre crashed out at the open ditch to leave three runners in contention over the three miles and five furlongs. The trio were closely packed until Bowen pressed the button on Esperti to steal the spoils.
“He stays well and jumps well. I rode him to get the trip last time so knew he would see it out,” said Bowen.
Bowen’s threesome was complete when Jamada lost his maiden tag by winning the Weatherbys Design and Print Maiden Hurdle. Bowen pushed the gelding clear down the back straight and held on to see the Olly Murphy trained six-year-old returned 4/6 favourite.
“Jamada took well to the course. He did it well and will be a nice chaser next season,” said Bowen, more than satisfied with his afternoon’s work in Norfolk.
Former Fakenham winner Dartmouth Rose returned to score again. The recent Southwell winner, trained by Matt Crawley, led from the start under Jack Quinlan, to take the Woodfordes Mares’ Novice Hurdle, returned the 11/10 favourite.
When Bowen had to pull up Natus Vincere, Dartmouth Rose looked sure to win but had to battle hard to hold off Silver Gale.
Trainer Lucy Wadham seldom fails to have a winner at Fakenham and she notched another success when 2/1 chance Rialannah took the opening Racing TV Handicap Hurdle under Gavin Sheehan. Ridden patiently for the first two of three circuits of the track, Sheehan produced Rialannah to record the first success of the mare’s 16-race career.
The closing Sandcliff Cromer Maiden Hurdle Hunters’ Chase for the Turner Trophy produced the finish of the day with 7/4 chance On Lover’s Walk, under a terrific ride from Meisha Micklewright for trainer Kelly Morgan, defeating Mister Splash by a short head. It meant Mister Splash was the only favourite on the card not to land the spoils.
Content by Terry Redhead
