I've managed to watch the whole race again and I have to say the winner was even more impressive than I remembered. I don't think he touched a fence on the way round, measuring just about every one absolutely spot on.
There's an item at the RP site but it's behind a paywall:
I've compiled sectional times for 25 years - and I can confidently say no-one I've seen reads races better than Sean Bowen
Is that in today's paper? If not it will be in tomorrow's and if so I'll stop in at some point and read it but it seems Mark Holder is impressed with Sean Bowen.
Is
Sean Bowen the best jump jockey ever to come out of Britain?
It’s a bold question, but the way he has ridden this season makes it one impossible to ignore. Bowen has shown a guile and composure that few, if any, can match. Yes, Sir AP McCoy holds all the records – and probably always will, given no-one is ever likely to rival his relentless drive or legendary toughness. But Bowen seems to combine many of McCoy’s traits with a cooler, more laid-back exterior. That’s not to say he isn’t just as focused.
Harry Cobden, in a recent interview for the Racing Post, said he couldn’t believe Bowen would go out and ride a 250-1 shot in a novice hurdle. “If Sam Stronge booked me for a horse like that,” he joked, “I’d call him up and have a fit.” That tells you everything about Bowen’s appetite for the game.
Work ethic is vital, of course – and Bowen’s is immense – but what really sets him apart is his feel for pace. I have been sectionally timing British jump races for more than 25 years, and I can say with confidence that no-one I’ve seen reads a race better. Cobden and Brian Hughes are close, no doubt, but Bowen might just have the edge. And this comes at a time where I have little doubt the overall quality of our jump jockeys has never been better.
In any comparisons with McCoy, Bowen’s quieter style might actually cost him. There was never any doubt when watching AP that his pure strength set him apart from his colleagues. While Bowen wins many races others would lose, it’s not always obvious why unless you’re viewing the races with a stopwatch in hand.
Sean Bowen: "I’d struggle to name a better jockey to have come out of Britain"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Last Thursday, while much of the sport’s attention was fixed on Cheltenham and Newmarket, Bowen quietly landed a near 200-1 five-timer at Ffos Las, demonstrating a different skill set in every ride. The standout for me was
Harbour Island in the first division of the bumper. Bowen dropped him out last off a strong pace, was still five lengths down with two furlongs to run and got him up late to win by a length and a half. He was the 7-4 favourite, but I’m not convinced he was the best horse in the race – he just got the best ride.
And the in-running markets have noticed. Back in the McCoy days, punters were always wary of laying him – no matter how badly beaten a horse looked. That’s now happening with Bowen too, but for different reasons. Where McCoy would be all fire and fury, Bowen’s style is more subtle: conserve energy, sneak a breather, pounce late. It’s devastatingly effective – and in-running players are increasingly reluctant to oppose him.
Bizarrely, this over-cautious approach might actually be costing them. Horses who would normally trade at huge prices mid-race are holding up purely because Bowen is in the saddle. There’s now a kind of collective hesitation, as if everyone’s thinking, 'It’s Bowen . . . he might still pull something off'. And sometimes, he does just that.
So, back to the original question: is Sean Bowen the greatest British-bred jump jockey? It’s a tough one to answer with certainty. But in terms of pure feel, timing, and adaptability, I’d struggle to name anyone better.
