CHAMPION jump jockey Sean Bowen, certain to retain his National Hunt title after winning it for the first time last season, has three outstanding chances to add to his tally at Fakenham on Monday.
Bowen, who had 225 winners before this weekend, 109 more than nearest rival Harry Skelton, could score twice for trainer Olly Murphy as well as for David Rees.
Bowen’s first chance is on the Murphy trained seven-year-old mare Natus Vincere in the 3.40pm Woodfordes Mares’ Novice Hurdle. The mare was runner-up at Market Rasen following an earlier success at Huntingdon.
Main rival could be Dartmouth Rose under Jack Quinlan for Matt Crawley, the former Fakenham winner also successful at Southwell last month while grey mare Silver Gale goes for Katy Price after finishing third at Warwick recently.
David Rees’ Esperti gets the Bowen treatment in the 4.10pm Woodfordes Supports Dereham Meeting Point Chase, looking to better last month’s second at Chepstow.
Likely market leader is Slaney Opera under Harry Reed. The gelding was second last time at Wetherby when running for trainer Ruth Jefferson although Monday will see his first outing for trainer Nick Scholfield.
Bowen’s mount in the 4.40pm Weatherbys Design and Print Maiden Hurdle, Jamada, looks set to go off favourite. Trained by Murphy, Jamada was third at Ffos Las in February after finishing second at Lingfield a month earlier.
Debutant Crackalackin for Dr Richard Newland, a Lingfield flat winner in November and former Chelmsford flat winner Sense of Reason for Charlie Fellows, look the main dangers.
The action gets under way at 2.40pm when eight go in the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle over three miles. Tropical Speed for trainer Andy Irvine, won at Lingfield in November and returns to action where chief rivals could be Raby Mere and Rialannah.
Wymondham trainer Caroline Fryer saw Raby Mere win at Southwell last month while Rialaannah, from Lucy Wadham’s stable, is looking to come on for a recent fifth at Uttoxeter.
The 3.10pm Weatherbys Mares’ Chase has five runners with Fakenham winner and regular visitor Annie Nail going for trainer Tracey Leeson, the mare having won at the course over hurdles on Easter Monday.
Moviddy for Noel Williams, Fortunefavorsdbold for Christian Williams and Lilly Pinch’s mount Ballygelly also have high hopes.
The 5.10pm finale is the four-runner Sandcliff Cromer Maiden Hunters Chase for the Turner Trophy. Hot favourite is the Ed Turner trained Mister Splash, a winner of a recent point-to-point at Fakenham, with Paddy Barlow booked to ride.
Content provided by Terry Redhead
