THE victory of Shillanavogy at Newton Abbot on Friday did not have much fanfare attached, but it was remarkable all the same.
The seven-year-old’s win was not unexpected – he was sent off the 6-5 favourite – but his easy seven-and-a-half length success moved his jockey James Bowen above former champion Brian Hughes and into second place in this season’s jump jockeys’ table. And it means that the top two places in the standings are currently shared by the Bowen brothers.
Sean remains away and clear at the top – he has ridden winners in Wales, Scotland and England in the past week alone – but his younger brother’s climb to second place in the early standings has been increasingly noteworthy.
He has benefited from Nico de Boinville’s injury-enforced absence by partnering the majority of Nicky Henderson’s summer jumpers, and his fruitful link-up with Warren Greatrex – it was he who saddled Shillanavogy to his victory in the two-mile chase at Newton Abbot – has also resulted in plenty of winners.
James was on the mark again on Sunday when he landed a short-price double for his brother Mickey at Market Rasen. Indeed, Mickey’s successful summer continues apace and the wins of Mohawk Chief and Axel Bleue at the Lincolnshire track meant he began the week on the 16-winner mark.
He currently lies third in the trainers’ championship.
Sean rarely leaves Market Rasen empty-handed and he was on the mark with Traveling Soldier in the novices’ handicap chase.
All being equal, he will have reached his half-century of winners for the season in the early part of the week.
David Evans enjoyed a worthwhile trip to Leicester on Saturday as Davvy won the seller. The 6-4 chance was winning his second race for the stable, and such was the manner of his victory he can be expected to score again in a similar contest if his trainer favours that route.
Grace Harris continues to have her yard in fine form, evidenced by landing winners under both codes last week. The fact they came at complete opposite ends of the distance spectrum also speaks volumes.
The first of the brace came when Savannah Smiles won a five-furlong handicap for apprentices at Chepstow in midweek for the well-named Belly’s Heroes partnership.
And she followed up two days later when My Girl Katie was a comfortable winner of the three-and-a-quarter mile handicap chase at Newton Abbot under Conor Ring.
There is racing at Ffos Las on Wednesday evening (July 9), with the card set to get under way at 6.10pm.
It is followed exactly a week later when the evening meeting is accompanied by the course’s Cider and Sausage Festival.
Doors open at 4.30pm.
