The brilliance of Sean Bowen was again in evidence as he led home a Welsh one-two in the big race of the weekend, the December Gold Cup, at Cheltenham.
Bowen sprang a 33-1 shock on board Glengouly in the two-and-a-half mile contest, run in honour of commentator John Hunt and his family. Bowen is no stranger to big-race success, but it was a first major TV winner for his trainer Faye Bramley.
Glengouly was sent straight off in front by Bowen, but the whole of the 10-runner field was still in contention rounding the home turn. But Bowen had kept enough in reserve to repel all his challengers, with Vincenzo – owned by Dai Walters and trained by Sam Thomas – taking second place.
It proved to be more Cheltenham agony for Vincenzo, who finished second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the track last month. In fact, has filled the runner-up spot on each of his three visits to the course.
There was also Welsh success at Cheltenham on Friday, with Can You Call landing a veterans’ chase for the combination of Evan Williams and Ben Jones. The 10-year-old was clinching his first success since December 2022.
Victory in the December Gold Cup rounded off a memorable weekend for Bowen, who claimed the runner-up spot in the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year award.
The Pembrokeshire man was recognised by the judging panel for becoming only the third Welsh rider to be crowned champion jockey, and the first since Dick Francis more than 70 years ago.
Bowen was edged out for top spot by para-rower Ben Pritchard, who added the European and world crowns to his Paralympic title gained last year.
Earlier in the week Bowen was successful on promising novice chaser Fingle Bridge at Uttoxeter. Major spring targets are likely to be in the pipeline.
His brother James enjoyed a profitable trip to Doncaster where he rode a double on the first day of their two-day meeting. Both came for horses trained by Nicky Henderson.
The first success came via odds-on shot Laughing John in a two-mile handicap hurdle, with Either Or making it two on the day as she battled gamely to win a mares’ hurdle.
And it was Ben Jones who took the spotlight at Doncaster on Saturday, combining with trainer Ben Pauling to bag a valuable two-mile handicap hurdle on the well-backed Lanesborough.
Our opening fixture at Ffos Las in 2026 is Friday 30th January when the first race is 1.20pm. There are still a few £10 tickets available for this meeting.
