GOING POTTY OVER TOTTIE
Bowen chaser is Grand prospect
TRAINER Peter Bowen and his jockey son James hope to make it a family celebration in next year’s Grand National after the pair were successful with Mac Tottie at Aintree yesterday.
Having his first taste of the unique National fences in the Sefton Chase, Mac Tottie never missed a beat under Bowen when proving too strong for Senior Citizen.
“We just missed out in the National with Mckelvey (second to Silver Birch in 2007),” said the trainer. “Hopefully, this horse will prove a National horse – I think he’ll stay.
“Things didn’t go quite right for him last time, because he lost a shoe.
“He could come back here for the
Becher next month.” The Bowens will be attempting to emulate Ted and Ruby Walsh, the most recent father and son to land the National with Papillon in 2000.
“To do it for my dad makes it extra special,” said the winning rider after his first success over the National fences.
Trevor Hemmings distinguished white, yellow and green colours were carried to victory for the first time at Aintree since his death last month by Hillcrest in the EBF Hurdle. Hemmings shared the distinction of being the most successful owner in the Grand National by winning the race three times, as did the late with Noel Le Mare, the owner of Red Rum.
Sceau Royal received the biggest cheer of the day at Wincanton where he landed the Unibet Elite Hurdle for the third time for trainer Alan King and jockey Daryl Jacob. Nigel Twiston-Davies rolled back the years when adding to his previous success in the Badger Beer Chase with 40-1 shot Rocco, partnered by Jordan Nailor, in the 60th running of yesterday’s race.
The Cotswolds trainer last took the prize when wearing short trousers with Captain Dibble in 1992.
With curtain coming down on the turf Flat season, the popular Hollie Doyle was the toast at Doncaster where she partnered the well-backed 9-2 favourite Farhan to victory in the November Handicap. Earlier on the card the Queen, who is enjoying her best year numerically, made it 35 winners after King’s Lynn took the Wentworth Stakes.