- Bowen is prepared to sacrifice competing at Cheltenham to pursue his first title
- The 26-year-old had a nasty fall at Aintree that left him sidelined for six weeks
Sean Bowen is prepared to sacrifice competing at Cheltenham to pursue the winners elsewhere that will reignite his quest to become Champion Jockey.
It seemed a formality before Christmas that Bowen would win his first jockeys’ title but a fall at Aintree on Boxing Day sidelined him for six weeks.
He subsequently saw his nearest rival Harry Cobden overhaul his lead and build an advantage of his own.
Cobden, backed by the firepower of trainer Paul Nicholls, is odds-on to come out on top but Bowen — fresh from a confidence-boosting success on Thunder Rock at Kelso — is refusing to give up the fight.
Cheltenham has the glamour but Bowen is prepared to go to provincial tracks in search of success rather than making up the numbers at the Festival.
Sean Bowen is prepared to sacrifice competing at Cheltenham to pursue his first title
The 26-year-old jokckey suffered a knee injury in a fall at Aintree on Boxing Day
‘I’ve been getting a lot more seconds than winners since I came back,’ he said.
‘I was getting a bit frustrated. It always helps when you have a good horse to get on. Thunder Rock was by far my biggest winner since I came back.
‘With Cheltenham, it all depends what I get. I will be there on the first day with Not So Sleepy, who would have half a chance if it came up really soft ground in the Champions Hurdle. I’ll pick and choose from there. It could be Ffos Las or Fakenham on Gold Cup day. I need winners.’
Bowen mainly rides for Thunder Rock’s trainer Olly Murphy, who is determined to give him every chance of realising his ambition.
‘Sean has had a horrible injury,’ he said. ‘He’s chewing painkillers and it has been hard for him. May the best man win.’
