Sean Bowen Saturday Blog | Haydock
14 Feb 2026
Coral Racing Ambassador, Sean Bowen, previews his five rides at Haydock on Saturday, including on Grand Abert for the Donald McCain team in the Grand National Trial. Check out his thoughts on all five of his rides below.
12:55 Haydock – Macktoad
Macktoad couldn’t quite back up his Sandown run when stepping up in class last time but I thought his win at Sandown was very, very impressive. He looked like a horse who could go on and be one of the better juveniles around.
It was disappointing when he stepped up in grade at Chepstow and didn’t quite deliver. I’m not sure there was an obvious reason for it but if he can get back to the level he showed at Sandown, he will have a big chance. He’s clearly got the ability, and it’s just a case of putting it all together again.
13:28 Haydock – The Bluesman
The Bluesman has made a good start to his chasing career and I thought his run first time over fences was solid, he’s taken well to the discipline.
Last time at Leicester, I was a bit frustrated with how the race panned out because we went steady early and it turned into a sprint, which didn’t really suit him so I’m hoping we’ll get a stronger gallop here, which should play more to his strengths. I still think he’s nicely handicapped and there’s more to come from him over fences.
14:40 Haydock – Lon Chaney
Lon Chaney ran a big race at Uttoxeter and now steps up in class. I think the step up to three miles on what should be proper soft ground will suit him well.
He obviously needs to improve again because this is tougher, but he has progressed with each run so far. He strikes me as an improving horse and if he continues on that upward curve, he should run a big race.
15:15 Haydock – Grand Albert
I ride Grand Albert for Donald McCain in the Grand National Trial. I don’t know a huge amount about him personally but he ran well enough around Haydock last time on soft ground, so we know he handles the track.
He’s come down the handicap a bit, which gives him a chance, and he comes into this with a nice racing weight. He’ll need to step up on what he’s been doing recently but there are positives there, especially his course form.
15:50 Haydock – Gwennie May Star
Gwennie May Star has been in good form since joining Olly Murphy’s yard, winning two of his last three and I thought he won nicely at Warwick last time.
This is a big step up in grade though, it’s a sharper three miles than he faced last time and he’s also carrying more weight, so he’ll need to improve again. He’s in good form, but this will demand a bit more from him.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
12:55 Haydock – Macktoad
Macktoad couldn’t quite back up his Sandown run when stepping up in class last time but I thought his win at Sandown was very, very impressive. He looked like a horse who could go on and be one of the better juveniles around.
It was disappointing when he stepped up in grade at Chepstow and didn’t quite deliver. I’m not sure there was an obvious reason for it but if he can get back to the level he showed at Sandown, he will have a big chance. He’s clearly got the ability, and it’s just a case of putting it all together again.
13:28 Haydock – The Bluesman
The Bluesman has made a good start to his chasing career and I thought his run first time over fences was solid, he’s taken well to the discipline.
Last time at Leicester, I was a bit frustrated with how the race panned out because we went steady early and it turned into a sprint, which didn’t really suit him so I’m hoping we’ll get a stronger gallop here, which should play more to his strengths. I still think he’s nicely handicapped and there’s more to come from him over fences.
14:40 Haydock – Lon Chaney
Lon Chaney ran a big race at Uttoxeter and now steps up in class. I think the step up to three miles on what should be proper soft ground will suit him well.
He obviously needs to improve again because this is tougher, but he has progressed with each run so far. He strikes me as an improving horse and if he continues on that upward curve, he should run a big race.
15:15 Haydock – Grand Albert
I ride Grand Albert for Donald McCain in the Grand National Trial. I don’t know a huge amount about him personally but he ran well enough around Haydock last time on soft ground, so we know he handles the track.
He’s come down the handicap a bit, which gives him a chance, and he comes into this with a nice racing weight. He’ll need to step up on what he’s been doing recently but there are positives there, especially his course form.
15:50 Haydock – Gwennie May Star
Gwennie May Star has been in good form since joining Olly Murphy’s yard, winning two of his last three and I thought he won nicely at Warwick last time.
This is a big step up in grade though, it’s a sharper three miles than he faced last time and he’s also carrying more weight, so he’ll need to improve again. He’s in good form, but this will demand a bit more from him.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
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