Dowson riding high after Lady Buttons caps fantastic festive period

Jockey Tommy Dowson was on Monday revelling in a fantastic festive period capped by the stunning victory of Lady Buttons at Doncaster.

In the space of nine days either side of Christmas, Dowson won a Listed mares' novice hurdle at Haydock on Desaray Girl, the Rowland Meyrick on Top Ville Ben and the Listed Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares' Chase on Lady Buttons.

All three horses are trained by Phil Kirby, for whom Dowson rode out the majority of his claim before developing into a key part of the upwardly mobile North Yorkshire stable.

"The last week or so has been brilliant," said Dowson, 23. "I've been at Phil's for exactly three years and when I started he had plenty of good horses but the quality is definitely on the up."

Race report: Lady Buttons thrills Doncaster crowd with last-gasp win in three-way fight

Kirby, who moved to a purpose-built yard in Richmond in 2015, has worked wonders with Lady Buttons and Dowson has reaped the benefits by stepping in for the injury-hit Adam Nicol on two big occasions.

"She's a proper horse and I've had some good days on her," the jockey said. "She's electric at her fences and slick over hurdles and whatever challenge you set her, she responds to it."

Reflecting on the head success over Happy Diva on Sunday, described by Kirby as a career-best by Lady Buttons, Dowson added: "She always travels so well through the race and she really went through with her finishing effort. That's twice now it's been close at Doncaster as I nearly got caught on her last season in the Grade 2 mares' hurdle."

Dowson, mentored through his early years by Grand National-winning jockey Tony Dobbin, has ridden 14 winners this season and is on course to better his best of 22 in 2016-17.

He is also hoping to fulfil a life-time ambition by riding in the Grand National.

"I'd like to get a ride in the National and hopefully it will happen with Top Ville Ben, whether it's this season or next."

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