Mixed emotions for Bowen yard as dream Persian War win is followed by fatal fall of stable stalwart Francky Du Berlais

Peter Bowen fulfilled a career-long ambition to win the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle when Flying Fortune sealed a crowd-pleasing success in impressive style.

The five-year-old mare sealed a fourth straight victory by seven and a half lengths under James Bowen in the Unibet-sponsored Grade 2 and earned a 33-1 quote from Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Bowen was joined on the licence by his son Mickey in May, and the Pembrokeshire stable has been firing on all cylinders, training 31 winners from 40 horses this campaign.

Bowen said: “This is a race I’ve always wanted to win and she was the best chance we’ve ever had in it so I’m delighted.

“She’s taken a while to get the hang of things but is a good mare. She has a lovely attitude and has been very straightforward to train. Her mother [Turbo Linn] was very good and at one point was being lined up for the Melbourne Cup.”

Flying Fortune clears the last under James BowenCredit: Steve Davies

Flying Fortune, who is owned by the Fortune N’Fame Fillies, is set to now have a break following her fruitful summer, with Bowen keen to get stuck into the race schedule.

He said: “We’ll go home and scour the programme book, but I don’t imagine we will run her again until Christmas. She’s been busy and could do with six weeks off.

"We would have to look at the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in March – she’s won that in a canter really.”

Unfortunately Bowen later experienced the highs and lows of the sport as yard stalwart Francky Du Berlais, a two-time winner of the Summer Plate, suffered a fatal injury when falling in the veterans’ handicap chase.

Bowen said: “It's such a shame; one minute you're on such a high and the next you're on such a low. He was a brilliant horse for us and gave us many great days."

Perfect start for Johnston

Dylan Johnston was successful on his first mount as retained rider for owner Dai Walters when making all on Palacio in division two of the 2m novice hurdle.

Palacio was a first runner for Sam Thomas since April, and he built on his two bumper efforts last season to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

Dylan Johnston returns to the winner's enclosure aboard 2m novice hurdle winner PalacioCredit: Steve Davies

Johnston said: “It’s a great start in the new role – it can only go downhill from here! Palacio is a big, rangy sort and in time he’ll learn to race and be even nicer.

“It was massive to get the job and it’s a very privileged position to be in. You have to take these chances when they’re given to you so hopefully it will be a good partnership.”

Ben Solo was described as “a proper chaser for next season” by Rebecca Curtis after winning the first division by three-quarters of a length under Ben Jones.

'My heart hasn't stopped pounding'

Destroytheevidence followed in the footsteps of his Ultima Handicap Chase-winning stablemate Chianti Classico 12 months ago by landing the 2m7½f novice handicap chase.

Tom Bellamy’s mount capitalised on the mistake of Haiti Couleurs at the last to score by two lengths.

Winning owner Phil Andrews said: “There’s nothing like watching your horse in action, particularly first time over fences, and my heart hasn’t stopped pounding after that.

“You can’t put a price on the feeling of having a winner and hopefully he’s a proper staying chaser in the making.”

Copper delivers

Owners Alan and Gill Pritchard were overjoyed with the success of Grade 2 winner Copperhead in the 2m7½f veterans’ handicap chase.

The Joe Tizzard-trained ten-year-old gained a first victory since his Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase win at Ascot in 2020 at Plumpton in May, and he followed up here, scoring by three and a quarter lengths under Freddie Gingell.

Alan Pritchard said: “He’s been a marvellous horse to own and we’re over the moon to see him win again. It looked like he might be struggling a bit on the home turn, but as soon as he started jumping in the straight he was fine.”

Tudor lands Derby

Jack Tudor grabbed the bragging rights in the second running of the Unibet Welsh Jump Jockeys’ Derby with a narrow success aboard the David Pipe-trained Pachacuti, with the race raising money for children’s charity Latch.

Pachacuti's trainer David Pipe sealed a double when the Gearoid Harney-ridden Lock Out won the 2m7½f conditional jockeys' handicap chase, sponsored by the stable's racing club.

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