07 February 2024 , 11:08
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Sean Bowen says he has “that extra bit of fire in his belly’ as he returns from a six week injury absence to ride at Huntingdon on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Welshman appeared to be running away with the title in his bid to claim his first jumps jockeys’ championship. He held a 30-winner lead until late December when he was sidelined by injury following a fall at Aintree.
The gap is down to single figures and Paul Nicholls’s stable jockey Cobden is 1-3 favourite with the bookies and Bowen 9-4 to land the crown. Bowen has a single ride at Huntingdon for regular supporter Olly Murphy and three at Kempton on Friday.
“It's been a long six weeks out of the saddle, and I really can't wait to get back riding on Thursday.” said the jockey who is an ambassador for bookmaker Coral.
"Harry has been riding right at the top of his game recently, and Paul's horses are also in great form, so I really need to get back riding winners if I want to be champion jockey, which make no mistake, I do.
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“I'd much rather still have a comfortable lead, but the fact Harry is now breathing down my neck at the top of the championship has given me that extra bit of fire in my belly to want to get back out there and ride as many winners as I possibly can.
“It's very much going to be a numbers game for me for the rest of the season, so wherever I think I have the best chance of riding a few winners is where I'll be heading, regardless of the high-profile action that might be taking place elsewhere."