Sean Bowen had to be at his brilliant best when steering Wade Out to victory in the Sun's 'Save Our Bets' Novices' Chase on day one of Cheltenham’s November meeting.
Trained by Olly Murphy, who was looking for his first success at the meeting, Wade Out was sent off the 9/4 second favourite following his impressive chasing debut win at Uttoxeter, but it looked as though he was going to struggle to follow up that success, with Bowen firmly at work on his mount from an early stage after a string of sloppy leaps.
Bowen was forced to pick his mount up off his nose following another mistake at the sixteenth and victory still didn't look likely as One Big Bang seemingly moved on down towards the second last going best. However, despite poor jumps at the second and final fence, Wade Out found himself driven upside on the far side before drawing clear up the run-in to record a remarkable three and a quarter lengths success over One Big Bang.
"He's lazy, but to be fair he kept finding and that's what you need over these trips," said the champion jockey, who was already riding his 133rd winner of the campaign.
"I only think he jumped the way he did because he wasn't going forward. He was going nowhere and that's why he was getting under fences.
"I am riding on a high at the minute. I am riding for good people who let me do what I think is best, which makes a big difference."
Olly Murphy added: "I just said to Sean I'm some trainer, aren't I!
"He got a very, very good ride off Sean – he is under no instructions, he rides my horses like they are his own. He gives them loads of confidence and gives them a chance through the middle part of the race. He's under no pressure and horses can come home for you when they are not under pressure halfway through a race.
"I said in an interview the other day, for Sean to be mentioned in the same breath as AP (McCoy) is a credit to him and his work ethic is second to none. I just love working with him – we have a great relationship and hopefully we are both on the up and I'll have better horses for him to ride on these bigger stages."
On future plans, a return to Cheltenham looks firmly on the top of the agenda, with Murphy likely to target the National Hunt Chase.
"I think it will just be one run and then the National Hunt Chase (at The Festival) for this horse. He's lethargic but can jump and he can do it," he said.
"I'm so sad John Hales is not here. He was very, very good to me when I started training. It's fantastic that Pat (wife) and Lisa (daughter) are here. John was an Aston Villa fan like me, and hopefully he's looking down on us today."
