Racing news: Sean Bowen claimed his 10th win over fences to qualify for the Grand National
Saturday 4 April 2015 18:05, UK
Rising star Sean Bowen clinched that all-important 10th win over fences on Virak at Haydock to qualify for the mount on Mon Parrain in the Crabbie's Grand National.
The leading conditional admitted he had been "getting frustrated" but is now excited at the prospect of his first ride in the world famous steeplechase at Aintree next weekend.
Bowen, 17, took his tally for the season to 37 when starring on the card with a treble, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Virak (5/2 favourite) the highlight in the 888sport.com Handicap Chase.
Bowen, who is going head-to-head with Gold Cup-winning rider Nico de Boinville in the race for the conditional title, said: "I've been waiting for that for a while, but I'm glad I've got it and hopefully Mon Parrain will be a good spin in the National.
"I was very frustrated. Monday was the last day I could do it as Tuesday and Wednesday there are no jump meetings."
He went on: "Thanks to Paul for giving me the chances to ride these horses and it's great to get my 10 winners over fences.
"It will be great to ride in the National, that was a target, but the main target is to go for the conditional jockeys' title, though Nick will be hard to beat. I've been waiting for that for a while, but I'm glad I've got it and hopefully Mon Parrain will be a good spin in the National."
Nicholls' assistant Tom Jonason said: "Virak was the class horse in the race and Sean gave him a good ride.
"He won really nicely. He'll be put away now. He's had quite a long season."
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Image: On a relatively quiet day in the world of racing, Sean Bowen stole the show with a fine treble at Haydock -
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Image: Tony McCoy arrives at Haydock racecourse ahead of three rides at the north west venue -
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Image: Paul Hanagan pictured with trainer Mark Johnston before Kempton's Betfred TV/British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden -
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Image: Rosealee, ridden by Frederik Tylicki (left), leads the field home to win the opener at Kempton -
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Image: Joe Colliver and his mount Just Cameron clear the last to win the novices' handicap chase at Haydock -
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Image: Haydock clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright -
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Image: ... but their Solar Magic is out of luck as Lady Dutch, ridden by Martin Harley, takes the Listed contest -
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Image: Favourite Lady Dutch is driven out in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter at odds of 13/8 -
![Sean Bowen riding Virak clear the last to win the 888Sport.com Handicap Chase at Haydock]()
Image: Sean Bowen, riding Virak, wins the 888Sport.com Handicap Chase at Haydock, his second winner on the day after Southfield Vic's hard-fought success -
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Image: Jamie Bargary keeps Hollow Blue Sky up to his work in the closing stages to land Haydock's 888Sport Handicap Chase -
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Image: Very Special was maintaining a fine run of form for owners Godolphin after the operation cleaned up at Lingfield on Good Friday -
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Image: Richard Hughes gets on the mark with Peacock in the colours of the The Queen
Reporting the Nicholls squad for the National to be in good shape, Jonason said: "Four or five are going to go and they are all in good form.
"Rocky Creek galloped on Friday and is in sparkling form. Sam (Twiston-Davies) rode him.
"Unioniste also galloped and Noel (Fehily) rode him at Wincanton. We took a few there and they all looked pretty well.
"Rebel Rebellion runs and Ryan Mahon rides him. Jack Sherwood has won on him a couple of times, but was in the same boat as Sean (Bowen) in that he hasn't had enough winners over fences. Mon Parrain is in good order, too.
"There is no final decision yet on whether Sam Winner runs."
Bowen had earlier struck on Southfield Vic (5/1 favourite) in the Connolly's Red Mills 'Precision Nutrition' Series Handicap Hurdle Final.
The 5lb claimer had a difficult time on Nicholls' charge, who was also not happy with the soft ground, yet managed to conjure victory by three-quarters of a length from Raktiman.
Jonason said: "He was never really jumping or travelling on the ground. It was a bit of a punt coming here on soft ground and two and a half miles was not ideal. He confirmed there he needs three miles.
"I've spoken to Paul and he says that will be it for the season and he will go novice chasing next season.
"Sean gave him a great ride. He is serious value for his claim."
Bowen completed his treble with a facile success on Red Six (7/1) for his father, Peter, in the 888sport Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
