Apprentice strikes in unusual battle between two jockeys with same name

The two Sean Bowens took each other on in the 1m6f handicap and it was the apprentice who came out on top on Maritime Lady.

Sean Dylan Bowen pushed out the James Owen-trained runner to an easy win, with jump jockey Sean Bowen, who was having a rare ride on the Flat, finishing unplaced on For Pleasure.

The victory continues a good spell for the Owen yard, which enjoyed nine winners in August and was off the mark for this month from just two runners.

Owen said: "I did find it funny hearing two jockeys called Sean Bowen in the race.

"Maritime Lady stayed well and appreciated going back on the grass. The owners had Arabians with me so it's lovely to get another winner for them. We might look at going to Chester with her under a penalty next week if she comes out of the race well. 

"It's been going well and we've got some nice two-year-olds to come out, so hopefully we'll have a good September. The jumpers are starting to come out too."

Any newcomers will have to be fairly good to match the standard of the stable's top two-year-old Wimbledon Hawkeye, who advertised his talents with a good second to The Lion In Winter in the Acomb Stakes at York.

"I don't know if we've got anyone as good as him but we've got some nice ones," Owen added. "Wimbledon Hawkeye will go to the Royal Lodge next as we want to go over a mile."

Read these next:

Which of these four young men will become champion apprentice - and can they dream of future stardom? 

'I can't complain' - apprentice title race leader Sean Dylan Bowen makes it four on the spin as Sir Edward Lear strikes at Ripon

Hollie Doyle feeling 'blessed' after celebrating 1,000th win - and expands on her 'ultimate dream' 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.