Conditional champion James Bowen sets his sights on the top after losing claim

James Bowen is hoping a solid foundation of contacts and supporters will help him kick on in the next stage of his career after he rode out his claim at Southwell on Tuesday night.

The champion conditional rider, 17, has been touted as a future champion jockey and reached the 75-winner mark on Brave Eagle for boss Nicky Henderson.

Henderson has been among Bowen’s biggest supporters, along with his father Peter Bowen, but more than 100 different trainers have used the rider since he took out a licence.

Bowen said: “It’s really good to ride out my claim. Mr Henderson has been really good to me and my parents have been too.

“I’ve ridden for a lot of different trainers and managed to ride a lot of winners for them too, which has been great. With my claim now gone I hope they’ll keep on using me.”

Bowen will also be aiming to add to his big-race haul after landing the Lanzarote Hurdle and Welsh Grand National during his first season, as well as coming close to Cheltenham Festival success when second on Shantou Flyer in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Watch James Bowen win the Welsh Grand National on Raz De Maree

He said: “My best win so far was on Raz De Maree in the Welsh Grand National and that was an amazing day. We’re only six weeks into the new season but that’s been going really well too.

“I take it day by day really. I want to be at the very top one day but in the meantime I hope things keep going how they’ve been going.”

He added: "My brother Sean was champion conditional and he never had a down period after he lost his claim. That gives me confidence I can do the same."

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