'It's unreal' - brilliant Bowen celebrates first Grade 1 win

It was the race of the week for many, but for winning rider Sean Bowen it was a whole lot more as If The Cap Fits gave the popular rider a first Grade 1 win after a soul-stirring finish to the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle.

Already among the very best in the weighing room, a top-level success was what the 21-year-old really needed to cement his position among the top rank, and it took a never-say-die effort to score a career-defining win.

"He showed a lot of guts and battled very well," said the rider. "The start wasn't ideal but he settled beautifully the whole way round and everywhere I went I couldn't have been happier.

If The Cap Fits (centre) makes a bad mistake at the last but rallies to beat Roksana (left) and Apple's Jade in the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle at AintreeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"The question mark was whether he'd get the three miles, and he got it very well."

Victory almost slipped through Bowen's hands with a shuddering error at the last, but the partnership was maintained before the winner rallied under a power-packed drive to get the better of Roksana and Apple's Jade.

"I thought I'd chucked it away and would have to wait a bit longer for my first Grade 1, but he was brilliant," added Bowen. "There wasn't a whole lot of room and he was sandwiched between two horses, but he's gutsy.

"It's unreal and it's nice to get on a few more for Harry Fry, who has been a great supporter."

His burgeoning relationship with Fry is in no small part down to the recent retirement of Noel Fehily who, if he had held on an extra couple of weeks, would have been the man on board.

Fehily, who got a different kick, but a kick all the same from the win, was on course to see the victory and said: "That was good from the last home.

"Of course I'd like to have been involved and there will always be days like this, but I'm happy with my decision. Sean's a very cool rider, the real deal."

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app