Sean Bowen going Flat out to keep busy until jump racing starts again

Former champion conditional Sean Bowen is making the most of his light weight and a lull in the jumps calendar to broaden his horizons with some rides on the Flat.

Bowen rode at Chepstow at the start of the month for Bernard Llewellyn, and partners Referee for Neil Mulholland in the 1m6f handicap at Haydock on Tuesday (5.30).

He will be on Orsino for his father Peter at Chepstow on Friday and hopes his agent Mark Furnass will find him more opportunities, but stresses he has no intention of switching codes.

The 22-year-old, who won the conditional riders’ title in 2014-15 and gained a first Grade 1 win on Harry Fry’s If The Cap Fits at Aintree last year, said: "Racing over jumps is very off and on at the moment and we start five days without any [meetings] on Tuesday, so while it’s quiet this summer I’m just aiming to ride a few of the heavier weights on the Flat. If it’s quiet again next summer I’ll probably do the same again.

"It’s just a case of keeping myself busy and making use of my light weight. I’m doing 9st at Haydock, but that’s as light as I’ll be doing.

"Mark is keeping an eye out for opportunities between now and when jumping gets going again properly, and hopefully I can pick up a few spares."

If The Cap Fits: provided Sean Bowen with first Grade 1 successCredit: Mark Cranham

Bowen has lost the ride on If The Cap Fits, who has been sold privately by Paul and Clare Rooney to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, but he has plenty more to look forward to in the winter.

He said: "I’ll be riding most of Harry’s, but not If The Cap Fits, as Daryl [Jacob] will be on him from now on. Dad will be busy too, and I also ride most of Caroline Bailey's. I still ride out for Paul [Nicholls] now and again and so I hope to get the odd ride there on a busy Saturday.

"Harry’s got a very good team, with some nice bumper winners going hurdling and some promising hurdle winners going chasing."

You might also like these stories:

Sean Bowen, Gordon Brown and Chad Yeomans assess the weekend action

Sean Bowen to miss Cheltenham Festival after breaking collarbone at Kempton

'It's unreal' – brilliant Bowen celebrates first Grade 1 win

Ultimate Daily - our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club