Team Bowen at it again over National fences as Mac Tottie wins Grand Sefton

Saturday: Grand Sefton, Aintree

It's that time of year when returning to Aintree reminds us of all those hugely familiar names – Becher's Brook, Valentine's, the Chair. Then there is Peter Bowen.

The Pembrokeshire trainer is not quite part of the furniture at the home of the world's most famous chase but he can be an expensive man to ignore in Liverpool.

That was certainly the case when his 25-1 shot Dunbrody Millar won the Topham Chase over the National fences from 17lb out of the handicap in 2007 and when stablemate Always Waining scored a remarkable hat-trick in that race – at 22-1, 14-1 and 11-1 – from 2010 to 2012.

Bowen went mightily close to landing the National itself in 2007 when McKelvey was beaten just three-quarters of a length by Silver Birch despite finishing lame, and the trainer is eyeing another crack at the big one with Mac Tottie.

He rewarded those who took note of the yard's fine record on this course and gave them a first success in the Betway Grand Sefton Chase over the Topham course and distance of 2m5f.

Watch: Mac Tottie stays on bravely to deny Senior Citizen

The eight-year-old, owned by long-term stable supporters Steve and Jackie Fleetham, was allowed to start at 20-1 having finished last of four at Fontwell on his reappearance last month.

Yet Fontwell is not Aintree. Like many a Bowen horse, he was transformed by this unique course, jumping well throughout and holding off Senior Citizen by a length.

"This has been a lucky place for us," the trainer reflected afterwards. "That's the fifth time we've had a winner over those fences. I've no idea why but they seem to run well round here.

"We do a hell of a lot of loose schooling and we do it with three or four horses together. I think they find their own way then so they come to jump pretty well."

James Bowen roars on Mac Tottie to victory in the Grand SeftonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Looking ahead to the spring – of 2023, if not 2022 – Bowen added: "We just missed out on the National with McKelvey. And I hope this will end up being a National horse, he'll stay. We'll wait and see whether or not that's this season, he'll have an entry anyway.

"He might come back for the Becher Chase now. He was off 137 there and he'll go up for today so he could get into the National off bottom weight. He'll love the better ground if they have it, so fingers crossed.

"He was in good form today and things didn't go quite right for him last time, he lost a shoe and didn't stride out after that. He'd run well on his last run last season at Ayr, where he finished second in a good race. So the form was there, though he was a big price."

Sean Bowen has won this race twice for Paul Nicholls in the past and brother James was delighted to emulate him.

He said: "Doing it for my dad is extra-special and Steve and Jackie have been good owners for him, so it's just incredible.

"I didn't miss one fence. He's only small but he's so neat and he's got loads of scope. I got there way too soon but the loose horse helped me out for a little while and I always had the one beside me covered. He probably kept a little bit for himself as well. It's unbelievable.

"I'd ride any of Dad's horses over a National fence, it's easy to come here and have the confidence in them to go and jump."

Randox Grand National (April 9, 2022)
Sky Bet: 16 Galvin, 20 Any Second Now, Latest Exhibition, Minella Times, Secret Reprieve, Time To Get Up, 25 Ajas, Castlebawn West, Farclas, Happygolucky, Mighty Thunder, 33 bar

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