Sean Bowen didn’t hide the emotion as he brought Wade Out back towards the Cheltenham stands, giving the runner a grateful pat while supporters applauded a performance built entirely on heart. On a day when rhythm threatened to slip away and challenges kept arriving, the pair dug deep to land the Listed Sun’s “Save Our Bets” Novices’ Chase on Countryside Day at The November Meeting – a vivid reminder of why the Cheltenham Novices’ Chase so often reveals racing’s most courageous partnerships.
Wade Out, carrying the yellow silks of the Hales family, never looked fully settled over the stamina-testing trip of three miles and a furlong. His jumping lacked fluency at stages, and he repeatedly needed encouragement. But Bowen, riding his 133rd winner of the season, refused to give up on the race or the horse beneath him.
“He’s lazy, but he kept finding,” Bowen said. “That’s what you need over these trips. He wasn’t going forward at times, and that’s why he was getting under fences. But he tried for me. I’m riding with confidence right now, and that helps.”
That belief made all the difference. Bowen galvanised Wade Out approaching the final fence, and the response was instant — a determined surge that carried them past One Big Bang and into the clear by three and a quarter lengths, met by warm applause from the Cheltenham crowd.
Trainer Olly Murphy met Bowen with a smile that said much about the effort he had just witnessed. “I told Sean I’m some trainer, aren’t I!” he joked, before turning more reflective. “He gave the horse a brilliant ride. Sean rides like they’re his own — with confidence, no pressure. For him to be mentioned alongside AP says everything about his work ethic.”
Murphy added a heartfelt tribute to the late John Hales. “I’m sad John isn’t here. He was very good to me when I started. It’s lovely to have Pat and Lisa here. Hopefully he’s looking down on us.”
Wade Out is now set for a single prep before heading toward the National Hunt Chase at The Festival.
The supporting card added further gloss to the afternoon. Eldorado Allen produced a polished, authoritative display when making every yard in the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase, travelling with fluency and finishing well clear of Mister Coffey.
Brendan Powell said: “I got a real kick out of that. He loves his work and loves this place. Every time you ride him you know it’s going to be enjoyable.”
Trainer Joe Tizzard added: “He’s amazing. He’s been with us since he was four. His longevity is special, and he jumped like a stag.”
Earlier, A Pai De Nom continued his steady rise by taking the Lycetts Insurance Brokers Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs, securing his second success from three starts over hurdles.
Trainer Dan Skelton said: “Tristan gave him a great ride. He had strong form last year, then lost his way. We did his wind, and he’s really come back.”
Jockey Tristan Durrell added: “It was a big step up for him today. He loved the soft ground and really took me into it.”
A warm crowd, committed performances and emotive moments between horses and their connections combined to make Countryside Day at Cheltenham a memorable occasion.
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