Wonderwall one that got away for the Bowens as Callwood 'loved every minute' of Music Drive ride

Last week’s St. James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival will go down as the one that got away for Britain – ironically from a family steeped in British point-to-pointing.

Wonderwall, trained in Ireland by Sam Curling, was given a superb ride by Rob James to come out on top in a battle with Its On The Line, who was finishing in the runner-up spot for the third successive year under Derek O’Connor,  who rode Wonderwall to two point-to-point victories last autumn.

Yet in eight runs in 2024 prior to that autumn double, Wonderwall had been trained by Peter and Mickey Bowen, running consistently but without winning over hurdles and fences, which led to a trip to Doncaster’s July sale. 

Mickey Bowen tells me: “We were under-bidder at the sales; we wanted him to stay in the yard. We always loved him and he had hit some really good form last summer. His new connections have done brilliantly with him and watching him win Friday was brilliant – and no surprise to us as he is a good horse.”

Wonderwall started his career in Newmarket when owned by Rebel Racing and trained by Richard Spencer, who in another lifetime rode 22 British point-to-point winners and one hunter chase success.

As for those still trained in Britain, the highest finisher in the Hunters' Chase was Music Drive in fourth, giving 21-year-old Ellie Callwood a dream first ride in the race.

Trained in Leicestershire by Kelly Morgan, who won the Aintree Foxhunters' with Top Wood in 2019 and is the sister of trainer Laura, Music Drive won two mixed-open races in impressive style to qualify for the race and was having his first start over regulation fences. Given a cool ride by Callwood, who has ridden 23 winners, he ran on well up the hill.

A delighted Callwood says: “It was all such an amazing experience – I loved every minute. I had a great ride. It took him a little while to warm to the task, but once he did he showed his class. He’s definitely one to look out for in 2026.”

Callwood, who works full-time in the Morgan yard, is from a horsey but non-racing background. At the age of 14 a stint at Dan Skelton’s yard during the summer cemented a love for the sport and through this association she was introduced to point-to-point maestros Tom Ellis and Gina Andrews. A good grounding within their yard led to a partnership with Morgan, which has proved a huge success.

Morgan says: “Friday was a brilliant performance from both Ellie and the horse. Ellie gave him the perfect ride, she was just so cool.

“There is a possibility he may run at Exeter in a few weeks, then it’ll be back to Cheltenham for the hunter chase evening. Friday was his first run over regulation fences so if he stays in one piece there is so much to look forward to. I just want to look after him and get some more experience into him.”

Morgan’s acquisition of Music Drive came about because of a chance encounter with his former owner Camilla Sharples, who worked for the horse’s former trainer Gordon Elliott before moving to Ben Pauling’s yard.

“I sat by Camilla at a wedding,” explains Morgan, “and she told me she had this wonderful horse who had been off due to injury and was seeking options for him.”

Another notable fourth place at Cheltenham came from British point-to-point graduate Yellow Car in the Albert Bartlett.

Graeme McPherson, who trains the seven-year-old with Dave Killahena, says: “He is a great horse – Dave always says he would run through a wall for you. He does nothing at home, saves it all for the track and wants every bit of three miles and further. 

"He actually didn’t run until this time last year because he took time. He ran in a maiden at Larkhill first time out and finished fifth or sixth. Toby McCain-Mitchell, who rode him, told us he’d win a maiden, so he has surpassed all expectations.”

Yellow Car is half-owned by Harry Redknapp and McPherson adds: “He’s a wonderful owner – just the sort we all love to have. He is so passionate about racing and his horses.” 

Weekend fixtures

Saturday
Garthorpe, Leicestershire, LE14 2RT First race 1pm. 6 races
Siddington, Wiltshire, GL7 6HN 1.30pm. 6 races
Overton, Lanarkshire, ML8 5QF 1pm. 7 races
Milborne St Andrew, Dorset. DT11 0JX 12.30pm. 6 races

Sunday
Dalton Park, Yorkshire, HU17 7PW 1.30pm. 6 races
Lamerton, Devon, PL19 0JX 1pm. 7 races
Ston Easton, Somerset, BA3 4EG 12.30pm. 6 races
Fakenham, Norfolk. NR21 7NY 1pm. 6 races

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