Party with Razmatazz TEEN SENSATION: DREAM OF DAYS LIKE THESE
PUNTERS got their teenage kicks with 16-1 Raz De Maree in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
At 13 years of age, last year’s runner-up is just three years younger than jockey James Bowen.
But the pair proved a telling blend of experience and youth to beat fellow teenager, 13-year-old Alfie Spinner, and land the three-mile, five-and-a-halffurlong handicap chase – rescheduled after being lost to waterlogging over Christmas – by six lengths.
“You grow up watching these races at home, and to win it, first season riding, is amazing,” beamed 16-year-old Bowen (right), son of trainer Peter and younger brother of fellow rider Sean. “He’s not travelled anywhere with me, and I thought, going down the back, if we just were able to get round and finish placed, we might do well.
“But once he has gone past a horse, he has really locked on – and we’ve almost got there too soon in the end. Three years younger than me!
“He just loves the game,” added Bowen, whose mount is the oldest Welsh National victor since the race moved to Chepstow in 1949.
Raz De Maree is just the second winner of the race trained in Ireland, and Co Meath-based Gavin Cromwell added: “He’s only a small, little horse, but he has such heart.” Buywise – at 11 a mere whippersnapper by comparison – has time and again threatened to win a big prize over the past three winters, only for his jumping to let him down. But, partnered for the first time by two-time Grand National hero Leighton Aspell – ending a 35-day barren run – the Evan Williams stalwart put in a flawless round of jumping to capture Sandown Park’s 32Red Veterans’ Handicap Chase. “It’s heartwarming to see the old boy come back,” said Williams, on saddling duty at Chepstow.
“He’s got such a following – we’ve people getting in touch with us and all they want to know about is Buywise,” added Williams, who will return the winner to Esher for the bet365 Gold Cup in April.
SUMMERVILLE BOY earned a sponsor’s 20-1 quote for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March with a four-length margin in the Grade 1 32Red Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park. We Have A Dream, a non-runner in the Tolworth despite being gambled on in midweek, instead took up an option in Chepstow’s Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle, justifying 8-11 favouritism from Sussex Ranger.
FINNEGAN’S GARDEN still looks attractively weighted – despite a yawning win over course and distance a week before Christmas – in the Visit attheraces.com Handicap Chase (3.10) at Plumpton.
Zoey Davison’s nine-year-old scored by 35 lengths and a rise of 8lb in the weights may not stop Tommy Dowling’s mount from going in again.