Booster Bob swoops late to claim Greatwood Gold

Sean Bowen produced a remarkable riding performance as Booster Bob came from a distance behind to win the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.

With Saint Segal and favourite Billytherealbigred setting a stiff early gallop, Booster Bob appeared to be taken off his feet in the early stages, and was soon well detached from the main group.

As the field began to thin out there seemed to be no way back for Booster Bob, who still was not making up ground with a mile to run as Saint Segal kept up the relenting pace.

That proved too much for Paul Nicholls’ Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid, who never threatened to get involved, but Vincenzo suddenly appeared on the scene, looking to give Sam Thomas another big Saturday win after Katate Dori last week.

From nowhere, though, Booster Bob began to run on through beaten horses and even before jumping the last, the result began to look inevitable as Olly Murphy’s seven-year-old was gaining ground with every stride.

The 16-1 chance eventually crossed the line a length and a quarter clear of Vincenzo, with Saint Segal staying on for third.

Bowen, currently leading the race to be champion jockey, told Sky Sports Racing: “I don’t know how that happened!

“I actually fancied him coming into today because he’s a weird horse, he’s got loads of ability. We’ve probably been wrong running him over two miles when most of the time it looks like he wants three. It just shows what they can do sometimes.

“He was careful with his jumping. He’s a strange old horse, he actually wants softer ground and was changing his legs on the way round but as he warmed up, his jumping got faster.

“When we passed one he sort of got into it then and when he passed a few more, he took off. From the back of the ditch I felt I could win.

“It’s great for Graham (Whateley) as he’s a big supported of Olly’s, so it’s great to get him a big winner. We’ve had lots of winners for him but it’s nice to land a big one.”

Murphy said: “I was thinking I was getting sacked and I was thinking Sean Bowen was too halfway round!

“It was quite remarkable. He just couldn’t go early and halfway I wanted him to pull up and save him for next week, but he took off.

“He’s a very good work horse, stepping up in trip today has helped. We dropped him in because he can be keen. It was a disaster really but it’s worked out!

“What a ride by Sean, I’m very lucky to have him as my stable jockey. These are the races you want to be winning.

“Graham told me this morning he hadn’t had a bet for £20 years but that he had £5 each-way this morning.”