Jockey James Bowen to miss Cheltenham after breaking arm in Huntingdon fall

25 February 2023 , 11:26

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James Bowen: will miss the Cheltenham Festival after breaking his arm (Image: PA)

James Bowen has been fo rced to abandon hope of a first Cheltenham Festival winner next month after breaking his arm at Huntingdon on Thursday.

The 21-year-old jockey was taken to Peterborough Hospital for X-rays after being unseated from the Billy Aprahamian-saddled Mutual Respect at the second-last flight of the Bet At racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle at the Cambridgeshire course.

And Bowen, set for some promising mounts at the Festival for boss Nicky Henderson – he had been due to take five rides for Seven Barrows at Chepstow this afternoon – confirmed: “I’ve broken my arm – that’s about the height of it.

“There’s never a good time – with Cheltenham coming up, it’s even worse – but there’s no point in getting upset about it, that’s for sure.”

Bowen will meet with medical staff next week before setting a comeback date.

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“I’m not 100 per cent sure yet when I’ll be back, to be honest,” he added. “I’m going to see a specialist on Monday and I will know more then and go from there.

“I’m young enough – hopefully there will be plenty more Cheltenhams to come.”

David Yates