'This has been a better start than usual' - Sean Bowen eyeing jockeys' title

Thursday: Perth

It was to Britain's most northerly track for an early-season skirmish between the two at the head of the jump jockeys' standings and it was Sean Bowen who came out on top against Brian Hughes with a double to extend his early advantage to three.

Bowen can be backed at 4-1 with Sky Bet to deny Hughes a third title as he continued a phenomenal week which has seen him win five times from ten rides.

Bowen, who is yet to finish out of the first two when completing this week, steered the Gordon Elliott-trained Noble Birth to an odds-on success in the 2m4f maiden hurdle before helping Ash Tree Meadow to a first win over fences for the same trainer.

Hughes responded with Kayfast Warrior holding off the Bowen-ridden Copperwell in the 2m handicap hurdle.

On his title hopes, Bowen said: "It's something I'd love to do, I've got to keep the good run up and I'll be trying anyway. This has been a better start than usual, hopefully this year can carry on the way it started.

"It's been a good day and a great week, I'd like every week to be like this one."

Change of luck

Liam Harrison was left frustrated the last time he partnered Golden Taipan but enjoyed a change of fortune when reuniting with the eight-year-old in the 3m handicap chase.

Fergal O'Brien's charge won at the track when ridden by Paddy Brennan over 2m4f at the start of the month having narrowly been beaten at Warwick under Harrison on his previous start. However, the latter was on hand to help Golden Taipan successfully handle the step up in trip to make it back-to-back wins at Perth.

"It worked out really well," Harrison said. "I got beat on him at Warwick and was really annoyed with myself, I felt we should've won."

Results, replays and analysis

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