The Bowen family continued their remarkable domination in the Unibet Summer Plate at Market Rasen when Francky Du Berlais gave winning trainer Peter a record eighth victory in the chase.
Francky Du Berlais became the first horse to take the prize twice when completing back-to-back victories in the hands of Peter’s son James, who was also in the saddle last year.
Peter Bowen certainly makes the long haul from his yard at Haverfordwest in South Wales worthwhile.
He said: “Obviously it makes the drive home easier when you win – it took us eight hours to come here yesterday with all the traffic.
“However, Francky travelled well and slept all the way I think!
“God only knows what it is about this race – it could just be that we have the right sort of horse.
“Francky jumped particularly well today and my other horse, Statuario (ridden by Bowen’s other son Sean) ran a blinder to finish third as well.
“We’ll probably give Francky a little break now and then he’ll probably have a spin over hurdles before going for the Grand Sefton over the National fences at Aintree.”
James Bowen, the first rider to win this race more than once for his father, said: “My dad has certainly been through a lot of jockeys before me and my brother.
“Sean has won it before, and it was his turn this time, but he couldn’t get past me!”
Hollie Doyle, the first European woman to enjoy a Classic success, continued her stellar season when partnering Eddie’s Boy to victory in the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury.
Doyle (inset), successful in last month’s French Oaks with Nashwa, said: “I just wanted to get him out and get him in his own space.
“If he gets crowded or anything like that, he tends to hang a little bit, so he quite enjoyed having a little bit of room today.
“He tried really hard and put his head down when it mattered.”
Winning trainer Archie Watson is now considering aiming Eddie’s Boy at the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood at the end of this month and the Nunthorpe at York in August.
Doyle went on to complete a double on the William Haggas-trained Morgan Fairy in the EBF Handicap.
In-form Haggas was also earlier on the mark in the Steventon Stakes with Grocer Jack, partnered by Doyle’s husband Tom Marquand.
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