Bowens bag top 2 spots in title battle

THE victory of Shillanavogy at Newton Abbot on Friday did not have much fanfare attached, but it was remarkable all the same.

- Kevin Hire

The seven-year-old's win was not unexpected - he was sent off the 6-5 favourite - but his seven-and-a-half length success moved his jockey James Bowen into second place in this season's jump jockeys' table. And it means that the top two places in the standings are currently shared by the Bowen brothers.

Sean remains away and clear at the top - he has ridden winners in Wales, Scotland and England in the past week alone - but his younger brother's climb to second place in the early standings has been increasingly noteworthy.