Sean Bowen Saturday Blog | Market Rasen
Things have gone incredibly well for me in the early stages of the new season. I have managed to carry the momentum I had into the new campaign, ridding 55 winners since the season began. I will be hoping to get towards the century mark as quickly as possible.
Although I have built a nice lead, I know better than anybody that you are only one fall away from being out of action for a lengthy period, so I am just focussing on riding as many winners as I can.
I have an exciting book of rides at Market Rasen on Saturday, on what is their summer highlight, with the feature race being the Summer Plate Handicap Chase.
13:35 Market Rasen – Laravie
She has improved with every run over hurdles, with her latest victory at Uttoxeter being her best. She stuck at it well in that race, and eventually she went away from her rivals in the closing stages.
This is a competitive novice hurdle, as we are all at a similar mark. Laravie carries penalties, but she comes into this race with a great chance of more success.
14:05 Market Rasen – Deploy To Spy
They went steady at Worcester last time and it didn’t really suit him, but he was still good enough to win. I think there will be a stronger pace here. He wears first-time cheekpieces, which should sharpen him up. I think he is well up to winning off this mark.
14:40 Market Rasen – Sir Galahad
This is probably my best ride of the day. He is a horse from the Flat who is enjoying his jumping. He has gone up 5lb for his latest win at Worcester. I think the handicapper has treated him well and that he is capable of defying that rise. I am looking forward to getting into the saddle on him.
15:12 Market Rasen – Sure Touch
Sure Touch won this race last year off a 1lb higher mark. He has been kept fresh for this race as that is when he is at his best. We are due a bit of rain overnight, and that is the only thing that would worry me a little. He has first-time cheekpieces on, and if the ground doesn’t get too testing, he should go close to winning this again.
15:50 Market Rasen – Lermoos Legend
Lermoos Legend has always been a consistent horse, but he does enjoy finishing second. He has been runner-up on his last four starts. I am hoping he doesn’t save his best form for Cartmel. He tends to run well at this time of the year so he will have a chance if he puts in his best performance.
16:25 Market Rasen – Inca Prince
I’ve not ridden this horse before, but I am told he is a keen horse. This is his first start in 667 days, so it would be some training performance from Ruth Jefferson if he were to win here. He has some decent form to his name before his lay-off, but he is entitled to need this run.
17:00 Market Rasen – Fame And Fun
This horse goes on all sorts of ground, so if the rain falls, it won’t bother him. He ran well at Worcester last time, and he has gone up 2lb for that. If he gets into a nice rhythm from the front end of the field, I think he could take some catching.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador