A Bowen recorded his first win on the Cheltenham Festival, however not the one many anticipated as James Bowen beat his brother and champion jockey Sean to the milestone within the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase.
The profitable jockey, who missed the festival final season, partnered the Nicky Henderson-trained Holloway Queen to land the ultimate race of day one in commanding vogue. The success continued a memorable marketing campaign for Bowen, who has 89 winners to his identify to this point – 4 away from his earlier better of 85 set final time period.
Bowen’s partnership with Henderson continues to reap rewards, with the pair touchdown one other main prize after Grade 1 success within the Clarence House Chase with Jonbon and the Lanzarote Hurdle with Iberico Lord in January.
The victory capped a effective opening day on the assembly for Henderson. It started with Old Park Star’s scintillating success within the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and his Cheltenham Festival tally now stands at 77.
Reflecting on the success, Bowen mentioned: “It’s great to get a winner on the first day, and I suppose it’s a bit of redemption for last year as I missed the whole festival, so it’s great to do it a year after.
“I’ve had some great days. I can’t say it’s a career highlight, but it’s up there. I’ve been with Mr Henderson for eight years now and he’s been extremely good to me. Nico [de Boinville] was sitting in the weighing room watching and he had every right to put him on, but he’s very loyal and I appreciate everything he’s done for me.”
James Bowen returns to the winners’ enclosureCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/pictures)
The six-yr-outdated Holloway Queen has gained half her begins over fences, and her slick leaping proved decisive. She took a clear lead turning for house and jumped the penultimate fence with a two-size benefit earlier than staying on strongly up the hill to end 5 and a half lengths forward of runner-up King Of Answers.
Henderson mentioned: “James beat his brother to it. They’re the best boys you’ll ever meet. What a family. We’ve got a great team of jockeys, but it’s terrific for James.
“There was one stage earlier on within the season when she was on the switch checklist. She was over hurdles, and he or she was stepping into a rut and never having fun with it, however we’ve discovered a approach for her to get pleasure from life. She’s twice the horse on smooth floor, however this caught me abruptly.”
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