By James Stevens
Even with little jump racing, the thriving Welsh jump jockey ranks are continuing to shine and a select group on the Flat getting in on the summer action. The Racing Post’s James Stevens has more.
Autumn is coming and Wales’ top jump jockeys teased how good then core part of the season could be with winners up and down the country.
Leading the way continues to be the championship-chasing Sean Bowen who added to his advantage, which is five at the time of writing, over Harry Skelton.
The Pembrokeshire-born rider frustratingly missed out on the title having led for much of the season last season, with Harry Cobden passing him. A mid-season injury scuppered his chances but there is a reverse this time around with Cobden currently out of action.
Bowen ensured his promising start got better when delivering Blazing Court to an unlikely victory at Worcester on Thursday in the 2m4f handicap chase. The 9-2 chance looked destined to place but found more in the run-in to strike. The top jockey quickly doubled up as Olivers Travels proved too good.
He added to his tally as Sergeant bolted clear for an easy win at Newton Abbot on Thursday while just two days later he was in the winner’s enclosure at the other end of England in the Lake District. He guided the odds-on Bowling Buddy to win at Cartmel to boost his tally to 42.
His brother James also enjoyed victory at Worcester on Monday aboard Flying Fortune to maintain his place in the top five in the jockeys’ championship while Jack Tudor had an even better week, recording three winners.
One of Wales’ leading young talents, Tudor advertised his talents with a fine front-running ride aboard Oceanline at Worcester before Sirekoff and Via Dante provided a great Newton Abbot double.
That meant four of the seven winners at Newton Abbot were ridden by Welsh riders after Isabel Williams, the daughter of Evan, partnered Melton Mossy to a 10-1 win.
Flying on the Flat
The adopted Welshman Danny Muscutt is on course to record a third century thanks to another great week.
It started with success at Kempton aboard Brindavan on Monday before he played his part in the Racing League by riding Heathcliff to win a 6f handicap. The nature of the team format meant he was unable to pitch in for the ‘supposed’ Wales and the West team who are expected to be crowned champions this week.
He also ensured he left Newmarket’s big Saturday meeting with a winner when causing a major 16-1 surprise aboard Bulldog Drummond.
Record set
The Rachel Cook and John Bridger operation enjoyed a notable winner at Goodwood on Friday to ensure they beat last year’s tally of eight winners.
The ninth winner of the campaign came from Kiss And Run who made every yard under Kieran O’Neill to continue an excellent season.
A highlight came just a week before when the 16-1 Faustus ran out a shock winner on the ITV-broadcasted 5f handicap at Newbury.
