There were smiles at Cheltenham and other tracks for Welsh connections with potentially more to come in the next few days. The Racing Post’s James Stevens has more.
There was an all-Welsh finish to first ITV race of the new season at Cheltenham with Sean Bowen and Jack Tudor fighting it out in the 2m4f novice handicap chase.
Bowen attempted to make all on the Irish-trained Lisnamult Lad against the Christian Williams runner Weveallbeencaught and he held on to stop the Glamorgan operation on the 20-1 shot.
Victory was a first at Cheltenham for the small Irish trainer who ensured he threw praise towards his jockey, who is continuing an excellent month as he battles it out to be named champion jockey this season.
He could even be a leading Cheltenham Festival chance for Bowen with the 2m4f novice handicap chase, added to the race schedule over the summer, a future target.
Donoghue said: “I did think we were up against it as the handicapper rated him 134 and he is only 124 in Ireland. He’s not a big horse and had a big weight but he’s tough. Sean gave him some ride and we knew he’d stay all day.
Bowen also rode winners at Fontwell and Carlisle during the week and is set to be busy again with chances at Bangor, Newton Abbot and Stratford.
He also has a big Saturday ride to look forward to in Strong Leader in the bet365 Hurdle for boss Olly Murphy. The Aintree Grade 1 winner is 47/25 favourite with DragonBet.
Big start
Evan Williams, Wales’s top trainer, has hit the ground running heading into the winter with two winners at Ludlow during the week.
He has a raft of talent to look forward to in the coming months and the Llancarfan got a confidence boost when Current Mood and Ask Brewster enjoyed narrow wins to keep confidence up.
Two of Williams’ best months on record have been in November and he has a whole load of entries to look forward to during the week, notably with some young prospects at Chepstow on Tuesday.
Monmouthshire trainer Grace Harris was also on the mark with Karakoram in the 3m handicap hurdle.
Top jockey
Jack Tudor continues to look a jockey going places and proved that when riding a double at Wincanton on Sunday, including aboard the former classy performer Remastered in the Desert Orchid Silver Cup.
The 11-year-old almost won the Coral Gold Cup two years ago but, on his first start of the season, he was given a superb ride by Tudor to hold off another veteran in Deise Abe in a thrilling finish.
The second winner came for Jim and Suzi Best aboard Camino Rocio. He judged the pace perfectly to make all and hold off favourite Eyed by three and three quarter lengths.
