Sean Bowen cruises home on promising novice Doujadou to celebrate 100th course success

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Sean Bowen celebrated his 100th course winner as he teamed up with Rebecca Curtis for victory on Doujadou in the 2m4f maiden hurdle. 

The 28-year-old rider finished 14th on Haiti Couleurs in Saturday's Grand National for the same owners and steered the 11-4 shot to success by 11 lengths over favourite Knead A Win. 

Doujadou's first outing for Curtis in February resulted in a second-place finish but that form received a major boost when Bossman Jack, who was ahead of Doujadou at Chepstow, landed the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle on Saturday.

With no such opposition this time around, Doujadou got the job done easily to provide Bowen with the milestone success and prompt cries of 'hip hip hooray' around the winner's enclosure.

Curtis said: "He's done that nicely, he settled a lot better than at Newbury and it was just a shame we bumped into one like Bossman Jack at Chepstow. 

"It's nice to get that win and help Sean to his 100th course success, but he's definitely one for chasing in the future. He should improve a lot for a fence."

Curtis also issued a positive update on Haiti Couleurs, who arrived back at her Pembrokeshire yard late on Saturday night following his National exploits. 

"He's come out of the race fine, it was just a long old season and probably a big ask," she said. "It was a shame with the false start that he didn't really get the best of starts and he was playing catch up, which doesn't suit him at all. I'm just pleased he's home safe." 

Bowens in business 

Sean Bowen's brother James was also among the winners after he delivered on favourite Thewoodcorner with a smooth five-and-a-half-length win over Milldam in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Read more:

Harry Cobden's mount crashes through rails as outsider of three earns first win for a year and a half in eventful fashion 

'Very good' Karl Burke filly enters Classic picture for Gewan owners after stylish Longchamp success 

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