Sean Bowen Saturday rides blog: 'He's going to need a career-best'

Coral ambassador and leading jockey Sean Bowen gives this thoughts on his three rides on Saturday at Newcastle.

The staying trip is going to be a real benefit for this horse. He stayed on strongly over 3m5f in the Durham National last time out at Sedgefield. I was very happy with the way he jumped in that race. Unfortunately, we were denied by a neck. The handicapper has put him up just 2lb, and we are hopeful he can go one place better this time. 

This horse is obviously going to be up against it here with Sir Gino and Mystical Power. Those two were both exceptional novices last season and look to be Champion Hurdle contenders this year.  

My runner was very good on the Flat. He was second in the Ebor earlier this season. He has won three times over hurdles before, but he is going to need a career-best to get near the front two in the betting in the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

I’ve won a chase on this horse around Exeter. He has some good form behind him, including last time out in the Badger Beer at Wincanton. They went flat out early in that race, and he stayed on strongly. This looks a competitive contest, and he will be getting weight off all of them, which should help. 

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