Sean Bowen Sunday rides blog: 'This looks like an excellent ride to pick up'

Sean Bowen has three rides at Leopardstown on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The Coral ambassador previews them all in his latest blog.

• Shoda - Leopardstown - 12.40 race odds

• Backmersackme - Leopardstown - 2.45 race odds

• I Started A Joke - Leopardstown - 3.52 race odds

12.40 – Shoda

Shoda has made a decent start to her hurdles career without getting her nose in front. She is a well-bred mare who had some success on the Flat, and I am sure it won’t be long before she is winning races over hurdles.

I am encouraged by her last run at Clonmel, as that came on heavy ground, and she handled it well. This is a large field, and it will be competitive, but I see no reason why she can’t be in the mix.

2.45 – Backmersackme

I rode Backmersackme at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting earlier this season, and he ran a cracking race behind Three Card Brag. He has gone up 3lb since that run, but I still think he could be well handicapped. This horse has had 14 runs over obstacles but has yet to score. These are exactly the kind of races Emmet Mullins targets with his horses. We are at the bottom end of the weights, and I am looking forward to riding him.

3.52 – I Started A Joke

I Started A Joke broke his maiden in impressive style at Punchestown earlier this month. He is racing off a mark of 126 here, but that could still be a lenient rating given how easily he scored. This looks like an excellent ride to pick up for Charles Byrnes, and he is my best chance of the weekend.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.