It has only been a matter of weeks since talented young rider James Bowen faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 20-year-old was knocked unconscious in a shocking fall at the training ground of Nicky Henderson before Christmas. In doing so he also swallowed his tongue. It was Sir Tony McCoy who saved the young lad from possible death.
This was without doubt a devastating blow for Bowen who missed out on some big rides on Boxing Day. However, your health is your wealth. Fast forward a few weeks and that is long forgotten about. The incident seems to have ignited a spark in the talented young jockey. He is arguably the best rider in Britain or Ireland at present in his current form.
James Bowen got back in the saddle on New Year’s Day but it was the day after where his fine run of form in 2022 got underway. At Plumpton, he rode Nashville Nipper to victory before going all the way to Musselburgh on the 3rd to ride a winner for Stuart Crawford, his sole ride on the card in the bumper aboard Holmes St Georges.
Since then, Bowen has ridden a further six winners and has now entered the winner’s enclosure five times from his last 10 rides. He gave Supreme Escape a wonderful ride when landing the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick for Evan Williams, then had two rides in Sedgefield on the 14th and won both.
Bowen missed out on the Mister Fisher ride on Boxing Day but he was aboard for the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase and duly obliged. The way the rider is currently attacking his fences is a joy to watch.
On the same day, he rode Call Me Lord into third place at odds of 33-1 in the Lanzarote Hurdle from top weight, won on Caribean Boy and very nearly rolled back the years aboard Mengli Khan who finished second in a handicap. He is riding like a man possessed at present and for me is definitely worth following until the end of January.
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