Bowens fall short in fight for Plate joy

THE Bowens fell just short in their annual quest to get their hands on the Summer Plate at Market Rasen.

- Kevin Hire

The Pembrokeshire family have an enviable record in the Lincolnshire track's headline race. Father Peter, who retired from training at the end of last season, won the race a record eight times.

Jockeys Sean and James have also been successful in the 2m 5f test.

And for large parts of this year's £100,000 contest it looked as if the Bowens were ready to cash in again, with Courtland - runner-up in the race two years ago and now trained by Mickey Bowen - duelling for the lead with Bhaloo, who was ridden by James.