Sean Bowen passes half-century and grabs lead in title race with fantastic four-timer for Olly Murphy at Perth

Limerick Leader sealed a fabulous four-timer for Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy when justifying 7-4 favouritism in the finale.

Bowen began the day behind jump jockeys’ championship leader Harry Skelton but drew level on 48 winners when helping Deploy To Spy defy a penalty for July’s Uttoxeter success in the opening 2m novice hurdle.

Bowling Buddy also backed up a previous victory under Bowen when confirming the form of last month’s Cartmel win over Ravenscraig Castle in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Bowen's day got even better when Happy Index took him to 50 for the season as she struck on her second start since joining Murphy from Paul Webber in the opening division of the 2m4f handicap hurdle and the jockey wasted no time adding to his tally on Limerick Leader in the second division.

The winner completed a double for the Fools And Horses syndicate and a 94-1 four-timer for the rider and trainer.

Bowen, who finished second behind Harry Cobden in last year’s jockeys’ championship, told Racing TV: “I’ve had a good start, probably not quite as good as last year, but to ride 51 winners at this point is very good and hopefully it’ll continue throughout the season.”

Depths delivers

One of Bowen’s main title rivals may come closer to home in the form of brother James, who was riding a sixth winner from his last ten rides when steering Hidden Depths to victory in the feature 3m handicap chase.

The career-best performance from the Neil Mulholland-trained nine-year-old moved the rider to 30 winners for the campaign, behind only his older brother and Skelton in the standings.

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