JOCKEY James Bowen will miss the Cheltenham Festival.
The 23-year-old has received a seven-day whip ban after racing at Hereford on Sunday.
James Bowen will not be at this year’s Cheltenham Festival[/caption]
Bowen’s suspension will run from Tuesday, March 11 to Monday, March 17.
Cheltenham’s iconic festive runs from March 11-14.
Fans were quick to slam the decision, which came after Bowen rode favourite Zestful Hope to victory at Hereford.
Bowen got the 15/8f to the winning post first ahead of rival Intimat after being pushed hard down the final furlong.
But racing bosses deemed his excessive use of the whip required a full-week ban.
At The Races confirmed: “James Bowen will miss the Cheltenham Festival after being handed a seven-day whip ban.”
One fan on X gasped: “That’s ridiculous. Surely he will get that moved.”
Another said: “That’s a joke. No other way of putting it.”
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While a third added: “Great ride from James Bowen here. I’m sure no one watching had an issue and I bet the owners were especially happy.
“Yet because of the ridiculous whip rules he gets a seven day ban and now misses the festival.”
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