Colin Bowe eyes March return with Shantou Flyer

Colin Bowe was thrilled to saddle his first winner at Cheltenham as Shantou Flyer lunged late to land the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices’ Chase yesterday.

One of Ireland’s leading point-to-point handlers, Bowe has saddled just a handful of previous runners on British soil without success.

Despite having won twice and finished second twice from five previous chase starts, Shantou Flyer was a 14-1 shot for what looked his toughest assignment to date.

The Irish challenger was not done any favours when the pacesetting favourite Vintage Vinnie crashed out three fences from the finish, but Mark Walsh managed to get Shantou Flyer back on an even keel and he finished powerfully from the final fence to get up and beat Weather Babe by a length and a half.

Bowe’s charge is around the 20-1 mark for the four-mile National Hunt Chase back at Cheltenham next March and the trainer confirmed that could be a target.

Bowe said: “I think this is my third runner at Cheltenham, so it’s great to get a winner.

“I didn’t think he was going to win when he was nearly brought down by the horse that fell and then he missed the second last, but he’s gone and done it well in the end.

“He’s only a five-year-old and is still learning his trade.

“We could maybe bring him back here for the four-miler.”