James Bowen misses King George ride on Mister Fisher after schooling 'tumble'

Being a jump jockey is hard, just ask James Bowen. Even when it is all going brilliantly, you have signed off for the Christmas break with a winner and have a ride in the King George to look forward to, it can all come crashing down – such are the perils of the profession.

The last time the 2017-18 champion conditional was seen in public he was successful at Ayr on Tuesday on the Stuart Crawford-trained Ballycoose.

When he will next be seen now depends on BHA concussion protocols after what he describes as a "tumble" while schooling at Nicky Henderson's yard on Thursday, which has ruled him out of the lucrative Christmas period.

Bowen is now back in Wales for Christmas Day with his racing dynasty of a family, as planned, but his hopes of springing a surprise in the King George on Mister Fisher will have to be passed across the table as older brother Sean now comes in for the ride on the 33-1 shot.

"I'm all well. I had a tumble yesterday but other than that I'm fine and I'm back in Wales," said the 20-year-old jockey on Friday.

Mister Fisher: will now be ridden by Sean BowenCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"Hopefully, it won't be long at all. As soon as I've done my concussion test I'll be back again, so hopefully I'll be back before the new year.

"I was coming home anyway and I'd have enjoyed Christmas Day. I'll still try and enjoy it – it's not all about racing."

The talented young rider also spoke of the relief it was his brother who would be aboard. Asked if it in any way softened the blow, he said: "Oh, 100 per cent! I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if he'd run well with someone else, but if he does it with Sean I'd be absolutely delighted."

And Bowen is hopeful his brother will get a good spin out of Mister Fisher. "I think he could run well. It's been publicised he wasn't quite right at the start of the season but he's been working really well recently," he added.

"I actually schooled him yesterday and he just seems in really great form. The ground will be perfect for him and I'm sure Sean will get a great tune out of him."

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