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- Sean Bowen Has Grand National Glory On His Mind . . . With Support From Chepstow
Sean Bowen is set to chase his lifelong ambition of winning the Randox Grand National on Saturday, when he takes the reins aboard Three Card Brag at Aintree.
The Welsh jockey - currently leading the jockeys’ championship ahead of Harry Skelton – will have thousands of fans cheering him in Liverpool, but also plenty more urging him on from Chepstow.
The Grand National Party Raceday is hosted by Chepstow, which includes giant screens, enabling spectators to watch the action from Aintree in between the live action with seven races.
Phil Bell, executive director for Arena Racing, says: “Sean Bowen is having an incredible season in terms of winners and now he gets a chance in the biggest jump race of all, the Grand National.
“He’s become a fantastic role model and ambassador, not just for Welsh racing, but for Welsh sport as a whole.
“I’m sure racing fans at Chepstow will be really keen to keep an eye on how he gets on, along with their own race card, and that’s why we have the big screens.”
Bowen’s main target this season was to win the jockey’s championship and for a time it looked as if pursuing those winning opportunities elsewhere might deny him a crack at the Grand National.
But he has been handed the coveted ride of Three Crad Brag - trainer Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old - after stable jockey Jack Kennedy was sidelined through injury.
READ MORE: Sean Bowen Earns Chance To Add Grand National Glory To His Incredible Season
Bowen’s association with part-owner Max McNeill—through his rides for Olly Murphy—helped pave the way for the opportunity.
“The Grand National is a race I’ve dreamed of winning since I was a young boy, it’s the one race everyone has heard of, and if you win it, that can never be taken away from you,” said Bowen.
“I finished fourth on Noble Yeats two years ago, that’s my best finish, but every ride I’ve had in the race has been exciting, changes have been made to it we know, but it’s still very special for a jockey to ride in it."
At 27, Bowen has already enjoyed success over Aintree’s iconic fences—winning the 2022 Topham Chase aboard Mac Tottie, trained by his father Peter, and twice taking the Grand Sefton on As De Mee and Warriors Tale.
But the Grand National itself remains the one he longs for most.
“I’ve enjoyed plenty of luck riding for Gordon and Max McNeill, so I think a conversation took place between Gordon and Max, and both were keen for me to ride Three Card Brag, which I was very grateful for.
“I’ve not ridden him before but he’s been trained for the race, and there is no better man than Gordon to aim a horse at the National, his record in the race speaks for itself.
“He will get in the race off a lovely looking weight, he seems to jump well, and he stays well, so he should go into the race with a chance. It’s the National though, so I can’t be taking anything for granted, but it’s a really exciting ride to have.”
Bowen isn’t the only Welsh jockey harbouring Grand National dreams - or even the only Bowen.
His brother James rides Chantry House, a horse that was on a 10-race losing run when he won well at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
The other big story could centre on Irish jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr., who is also targeting a maiden win in the world’s most famous steeplechase—and in doing so, hopes to achieve something his legendary father never did.
He partners Iroko, the leading British-trained hope, for trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
For the fans watching on from Chepstow, there is also a DJ set to keep the keep the party going, with actor Mathew Horne from Gavin and Stacey.
READ MORE: Former Scarlets Hopeful Lorcan Williams Earns Welsh Glory At Cheltenham
