Sean Bowen unscathed from fall to land hat-trick on good day for the family

Saturday: Perth

Sean Bowen is keen to wrestle the jockeys’ crown from Brian Hughes and survived an injury scare to register a treble, closing the gap to two on the reigning champion.

The jockey walked away unscathed from a crunching fall aboard Topkapi Star in the penultimate 3m handicap hurdle, before landing the hat-trick in the bumper aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained Finnthemagician.

Elliott was also responsible for Bowen’s other two winners, Getaway Goldie in the 3m handicap chase and Britzka in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Bowen’s father Peter was relieved after seeing his son escape unhurt from the heavy fall and said: “It’s great to see Sean doing so well and it would be something if he could become the champion this season.

Sean Bowen won on Britzka before taking a fall in the next raceCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“We will be helping him as much as we can and I know he is going to get plenty of backing from Gordon Elliott.”

It was a successful day for the other members of the Bowen family as the trainer and his younger jockey son James teamed up to score with Statuario in the 2m4f novice handicap chase.

The seven-year-old’s battling neck success, his first over fences after 14 previous attempts, came at the expense of Sean’s mount Quantum Realm.

“It’s been a good day for all of us – and I'm delighted that Statuario has got his head in front,” said Peter Bowen.

“He’s been a much more consistent horse this season and he has been a little slow to come to hand. He might do even better when trying longer distances.”

Hughes hits back

Hughes’ sole success from six rides on the card came aboard the Laura Morgan-trained Lake Shore Drive in the 3m handicap hurdle.

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