Sean Bowen Friday Blog | Cheltenham December Meeting
10 Dec 2025
Coral Racing Ambassador, Sean Bowen, previews his five rides at Cheltenham on the first day of their December Meeting, including Long Draw who aims to retain the trophy for connections in the final race on the card.
13:15 Cheltenham – French Emperor
French Emperor has been in great form this season. I loved his performance last time at this course, where he stayed on strongly at the finish. He may need to improve again, as he has gone up 7lb for that victory, but he clearly enjoys it at Cheltenham so I would not rule him out doing that.
13:50 Cheltenham – Herakles Westwood
We would have preferred it if L’Homme Presse was not in this race, as it means we are now 9lb out of the handicap. My horse has performed well in a couple of handicaps at Cheltenham before, with his best run arguably being last time here on soft ground. I think this is going to be a tough task for him, so it may require a career best.
14:25 Cheltenham – Courtland
Courtland has been a grand old boy for us. He has been in good form this season without winning, with three second places in his last five starts and he's a horse that deserves to get his head in front. Hopefully, the ground will dry up for him as he wouldn’t want it too soft.
15:00 Cheltenham – Statuario
Statuario has run some big races around Cheltenham’s Cross Country Course. He has been out of the handicap a couple of times, but fortunately, he is now back in there. His last run at Fontwell was disappointing, so he does need to bounce back from that and if he is going to produce his best anywhere, it is probably going to be at this racecourse.
15:35 Cheltenham – Long Draw
I am excited to see Long Draw back on the New Course at Cheltenham as I think he is a much better horse on the New Course compared to the Old Course. The emphasis is on stamina on this track, and that is a huge benefit to him, with the Old Course just catching him out for a speed a couple of times. I think he will have a big chance of winning this race for the second straight year.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
13:15 Cheltenham – French Emperor
French Emperor has been in great form this season. I loved his performance last time at this course, where he stayed on strongly at the finish. He may need to improve again, as he has gone up 7lb for that victory, but he clearly enjoys it at Cheltenham so I would not rule him out doing that.
13:50 Cheltenham – Herakles Westwood
We would have preferred it if L’Homme Presse was not in this race, as it means we are now 9lb out of the handicap. My horse has performed well in a couple of handicaps at Cheltenham before, with his best run arguably being last time here on soft ground. I think this is going to be a tough task for him, so it may require a career best.
14:25 Cheltenham – Courtland
Courtland has been a grand old boy for us. He has been in good form this season without winning, with three second places in his last five starts and he's a horse that deserves to get his head in front. Hopefully, the ground will dry up for him as he wouldn’t want it too soft.
15:00 Cheltenham – Statuario
Statuario has run some big races around Cheltenham’s Cross Country Course. He has been out of the handicap a couple of times, but fortunately, he is now back in there. His last run at Fontwell was disappointing, so he does need to bounce back from that and if he is going to produce his best anywhere, it is probably going to be at this racecourse.
15:35 Cheltenham – Long Draw
I am excited to see Long Draw back on the New Course at Cheltenham as I think he is a much better horse on the New Course compared to the Old Course. The emphasis is on stamina on this track, and that is a huge benefit to him, with the Old Course just catching him out for a speed a couple of times. I think he will have a big chance of winning this race for the second straight year.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
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