Assessing Sean Bowen's Friday rides as champion jockey bids for a birthday winner

Champion jockey Sean Bowen turns 28 on Friday. Here we assess the rider's chances of a birthday winner from his book of rides at Worcester . . .

Traveling Soldier

4.25 Worcester: 2m½f handicap chase

Spotlight comment: Battled on well to score at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) two months ago, opening his chasing account at the fourth attempt; this left-handed track also suits him, and he can progress again; commands respect.

Traveling Soldier16:25 Worcester

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

Better Off Alone

5.00 Worcester: 2m7f handicap chase

Spotlight comment: Very unexposed 6yo who belied 125-1 odds and displayed huge improvement under rules when second in Lingfield maiden hurdle (2m7f, soft) in January; makes handicap/chase debut after seven-month break but Martin Keighley is evidently very keen to switch him to fences, and has booked Sean Bowen.

Better Off Alone17:00 Worcester

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Martin Keighley

Blinded By Grace

5.30 Worcester: 2m National Hunt Flat race

Spotlight comment: First foal; unraced dam out of unraced half-sister to chase winner Mighty Stowaway and useful bumper winner The Mighty Milan; Mickey Bowen is 5-11 in bumpers this season, so good market support will need to be taken very seriously.

Blinded By Grace17:30 Worcester

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Mickey Bowen

Window Of Time

6.00 Worcester: 2m mares' maiden hurdle

Spotlight comment: Made the frame on five of her eight hurdling starts for Alex Hales, most recently when second of seven in Huntingdon handicap (2m, good) in May; soundly beaten on final two outings for that stable and not sure to be favoured by the forecast rain here but has good claims if back on song for new trainer Olly Murphy.

Window Of Time18:00 Worcester

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

Tamarind Bay

6.30 Worcester: 2m4f handicap hurdle

Spotlight comment: Had been running well in maiden/novice hurdles (at up to 2m4f) last term before bombing out at Ffos Las in January; reappearance third of eight over C&D (good) 16 days ago got him back on track and he's not ruled out on this handicap debut.

Tamarind Bay18:30 Worcester

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Mickey Bowen

The Flying Poet

7.00 Worcester: 2m7f handicap hurdle

Spotlight comment: Unexposed 6yo who chased home a next-time-out winner on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m4f) in May and was back on track, after a blip, when second of 11 over C&D (also good) in July; can likely do better and he's respected in first-time cheekpieces.

The Flying Poet19:00 Worcester

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

An Bradan Feasa

7.30 Worcester: 2m handicap hurdle

Spotlight comment: Ran over fences on most recent jumps outing in March but a good spell on the Flat since includes a Catterick win (1m4f, good to firm) and a close fourth at Newbury (1m4f, good); has dropped a fair way in the weights since last seen over hurdles and he's respected.