It was a day to forget for Sean Bowen at Wetherby yesterday (22nd January) as he took three rides to the Yorkshire meeting yesterday, all with chances, but came away empty handed on Thursday evening as all three were beaten comprehensively by their competitors.
The first ran in race 1 of the card as Bowen was aboard My Kinda Ghaiy who never really got into his stride until the closing stages where it was too little too late for the Olly Murphy runner who ultimately finished a long way back from the leaders as ultimately Klycot, the 11/8 market leader went on to score for Richard Bandey.
As for the second race of the day, Ben Pauling’s Starmount made all, pulling many lengths clear from two out, ultimately winning by 15. By far the most emphatic winner of the day, done in the style you would expect of a 1/7 favourite, putting him in hot pursuit for the National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Next up in the 1:20, Sean Bowen took the ride of the odds on favourite Pleasington, who once again, never quite found his stride at Wetherby, a fall three out made for more disappointment for the Murphy team on this drizzly Thursday at Wetherby. 18/1 shot Geryville did make all to secure victory in the third however.
Next up was arguably the feature of the day, as another qualifier took place, this time the Go North Cab On Target Series Qualifier, with Forest Blaze taking favouritism. Despite a lengthy stewards enquiry, the thrilling end to the race between the front three remained how it was placed past the post. This meant that, although there were claims of The winner, Eric Carmen pushing third placed horse Ionity to the stand side rail, it was still the 9/1 shot that was given the lion’s share of the spoils. Another shock winner on the day.
With three races to go, next was the most competitive contest of the day, with the entire field barely separated by the market. It was Celestial Fashion that prevailed though, as a competitive race throughout dwindled into a precession at the closing stages as the nearest competitor (and outsider of the field) Mountain Molly fell at the last and ultimately handed the race to Celestial Fashion in the lead.
The 3:10 was a Division 1 Handicap Hurdle, which was won impressively, once more not by the market leader, as La Higuera pushed on at three out to take it up, despite being ridden prior to the last in the closing stages, the Irish runner pushed on to score emphatically.
In the final race of the day, it was consolation for favourite backers, who had not had an ideal afternoon, with Jonjo and O’Neill’s 7/2 market leader making all in the finale to soften the blow for some punters at the course.
Overall, a great day’s racing in West Yorkshire, despite the weather, was filled with top class sporting action throughout. A great advert for going racing in this side of the country.