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Teenager James Bowen won the Fakenham Silver Cup to complete a hat-trick of victories at the Norfolk racecourse (writes Brian Lee).
Bowen, aged 18, is the son of trainer Peter from Haverfordwest in West Wales completed his treble when grey gelding Thistimenextyear landed the £18,000 feature race.
Christian Williams, who trains at Ogmore-By-The-Sea in the Vale of Glamorgan, was responsible for two of James’ three winners.
Six-year-old Cap Du Nord, the youngest horse in the Fakenham Staff Fundraising Handicap Chase, made it three wins in a row when he came home four lengths ahead of Nobel Leader.
Later in the afternoon Sideways, at eight the youngest of five runners in the Prince Carlton Handicap Chase, beat the Peter Bowen trained Henryville.
In the ToteExacta Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle James earned his third win, riding the Richard Spencer trained ThisTimeNextYear.
Potters Midnight, last year’s winner from Lucy Wadham’s Newmarket stable, led at the final hurdle, but made a jumping error and Thistimenextyear took advantage to take the victory at 5/2.
“I’ve been a bit lucky,” said Bowen. “I don’t think I would have won if the other horse had jumped the last well.”
There was more last fence drama in the Walter Wales Memorial Novice Chase at Fakenham. Primal Focus, bidding to land trainer Williams a treble, led going to the last, but crashed out and left Stonebrigg Legend, under Ben Poste, to score at 5/2.
Olly Murphy had first and second in the Robert Case Memorial Maiden Hurdle when 11/10 favourite Swaffham Bulbeck, three times a runner-up, won under Cillin Leonard, a 10-pound conditional clocking up his first winner in Britain.
Swaffham Bulbeck took over from Grand Inquisitor and then held on to beat fast-finishing hurdling debutant and stablemate, Emerald Rocket.
The closing Hunters’ Chase completed a double for trainer Spencer when Sir Jack Yeats, at 5/4, easily scored under James King.
Brecon and Talybont Hunt Point-To-Point Steeplechases at Llanfrynach were rained off and will now take place on Saturday, March 23.
