BOWEN CHASING VALENTINES DAY WINNERS TO STAY LEADER OF THE PACK
SEAN Bowen, currently leading the National Hunt Jockeys’ Championship, looks to increase his advantage with three top chances at Fakenham’s Valentines Day meeting on Friday.
Earlier this week Bowen had 135 winners for the 2024/25 season, 14 more than nearest rival Harry Skelton and almost twice as many as reigning champion Harry Cobden.
Bowen has five rides on the seven-race card and a chance of landing a treble. His dad Peter provides the ammunition in the 3.08pm Hoof and Holler Hurdle with Fame and Fun. A runner-up in a chase at Fontwell, Fame and Fun reverts to the smaller obstacles for this six-runner contest.
Edgewell, for trainer Rebecca Menzies, carries a seven-pound penalty after scoring at Southwell a few days ago while also in with a chance is Jonjo O’Neill’s Mersey Street under Richie McLernon, the gelding a winner over course and distance in January.
Bowen rides Sarah Humphrey’s Lyrical Genius in the 3.40pm Tim Barclay Memorial Chase. Third at Uttoxeter on Saturday, Lyrical Genius returns to action quickly with top weight Basford looking his main rival for trainer Jennie Candlish, the gelding third at Sedgefield in January.
The 4.10pm Racing TV Open Maiden Flat Race sees Bowen team up with trainer Olly Murphy to ride Kefir d’Oudairies, a runner-up on debut at Hereford in November. Two others who were runners-up on debut offer a real threat. Graeme The Grey was a Fontwell second for trainer Nick Gifford in November while Sam Twiston-Davies rides James Owen’s Naval Tribute, second on his first start at Catterick.
The 2.38pm St Valentines Selling Hurdle features 10 runners. An open contest looks between Addosh, Caldwell and Tara Iti. Addosh, for Owen, was third at Sedgefield nine days ago, Caldwell for Candlish, was fifth at Ayr after winning at Hexham and Gary and Josh Moore’s Tara Iti, was a Plumpton runner-up after finishing third at Fakenham on New Year’s Day.
In the opening 1.38pm Novice Hurdle, Aviation, for Lucy Wadham, meets Escapologist again. Aviation was second behind Owen’s Escapologist at Fakenham in January but looks to turn the tables with the weights in his favour.
The 2.08pm Queen Boudicca Mares’ Series Chase has four runners with Moviddy, runner-up in the recent series final at the course, market leader for Noel Williams. Sainte Doctor for Neil Mulholland poses the greatest danger.
The William Bulwer-Long Hunter Chase closes the day at 4.40pm. Five go with Heidi Palin on Dan Skelton’s December Fakenham winner Frere D’Armes while Gina Andrews is on Donald McCain’s Presentandcounting, a winner at Catterick in November.
