It was a phenomenal weekend at Cheltenham for Welsh horse racing and there was a once in a lifetime occurrence for two of the biggest jockeys. The Racing Post’s James Stevens has all the news….
Welsh jockeys and trainers dominated at Cheltenham this weekend but the big talking point was the brilliant Bowen brothers who made family history when dead-heating in a race.
James Bowen thought he had the Triumph Hurdle Trial won when kicking clear on the well-punted Quantock Hills but his brother Sean, who had been in fourth going over the last, rallied late on Teriferma up the Cheltenham hill to match him right on the line.
It was the first time the jockeys have dead-heated in over thousands of races against each other and they fist-bumped after the result was announced.
James Bowen said after the race: “I thought I got done, I was fuming. I absolutely knew it was Sean coming at me and I thought he’d beaten us 50 yards out so it’s just mad. I said well done to Sean but I couldn’t have asked for a better result.
“It was strange; I really wanted the win, but the dead-heat is the best of both worlds for both of us really. It’s one extra for us both.”
As James Bowen eluded to, another winner for his brother is crucial in his efforts to be crowned champion jockey this season. It was one of three for him at Cheltenham’s two-day December meeting while he also rode a double at Carlisle to extend his advantage to five over Harry Skelton.
He became the first jockey to ride a century of winners in Britain this season on Monday when Dominic’s Fault won at Lingfield.
James Bowen also had an excellent week, riding winners at Lingfield, Fontwell, Taunton and Windsor before Numitor also stole the show at Cheltenham on Friday.
Curtis back with a bang
The resurgent Rebecca Curtis yard was also on the scoresheet at Cheltenham for the first time since 2020.
The trainer based on the picturesque Pembrokeshire coast had been unsuccessful at Cheltenham since Lisnagar Oscar’s shock win in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Yet, as highlighted in this DragonBet column in previous weeks, her stable is flying after some renovation at the yard and Haiti Couleurs produced a dazzling jumping display to win the 3m1½f novice handicap chase.
Connections have already suggested the Welsh Grand National next season could be a target.
Boost for Williams
Evan Williams was also on the money with his stable star Libberty Hunter in the 2m½f handicap chase.
The eight-year-old produced an exceptional display to win easily by four lengths. It was his first start at Cheltenham since finishing at the Cheltenham Festival and he could be a live player if he returns to the meeting in March.
Williams said after the race that his season “hasn’t panned out how I’d like it to” but this could be the springboard for the second half of the campaign.
National treasure
Leading Welsh jockey Jack Tudor could have a big chance in the Grand National this season with King Turgeon, who proved his class with victory at Cheltenham on Friday.
The David Pipe-trained runner stayed on well to win for a third time this season and is now 33-1 with DragonBet to win the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree.
He already has proven form over the fences too, having won the Grand Sefton in October.
Tudor missed Cheltenham on Saturday to ride at Newcastle but was rewarded as Chemical Warfare scooted up in the 2m7½f handicap chase.
