Grand National 2015: Young rider Sean Bowen books Aintree ticket with Haydock win

Rising young jockey Sean Bowen secured the winner over fences that he needed at Haydock to allow him to make his debut in the Crabbies Grand National at Aintree next week.

The 17-year-old completed a 20-1 double on the day aboard Paul Nicholls 5-2 favourite Virak when winning the 888sport.com Handicap Chase by six lengths at Haydock Park. The win means the 5lb claimer - son of Welsh trainer Peter Bowen, who will saddle 2014 Scottish National winner Al Co at Aintree next week - has the requisite number of wins over fences to line-up in the worlds greatest steeplechase.

Time had been running out for Bowen, who needed a 10th win over the big obstacles to qualify to ride in the Aintree marathon. With no chase rides on Sunday and no jumps racing on Tuesday and Wednesday, the youngster would only have had Easter Monday to get the winner he needed had he not prevailed at Haydock.

Thankfully for Bowen, the wait is over and he will now be on board Nicholls Mon Parrain, who is a best-priced 50-1 for the National.

Bowen, who is battling for the conditional jockeys title and moved on to 36 winners for the season with his latest successes, said: It is absolutely massive for me to be able to ride in the Grand National, especially aged just 17. Thats whats given me the most buzz, more than the wins today.

It will be great to ride in the National, that was a target, but the main target is to go for the conditional jockeys title, though Nick (De Boinville) will be hard to beat.

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I have been waiting for that for a while and now I have got it Mon Parrain will be give me a lovely spin in the National.

I was very getting very frustrated and Monday was the last day I could do it. So this was really my main day I could do it. I am glad I have.

He added: Mon Parrain has form over the fences and jumped around their fine. I schooled him yesterday and he schooled absolutely brilliantly. He is in fine form and hopefully he can give me a good spin over the National fences.

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Grand National 2015: Young rider Sean Bowen books Aintree ticket with Haydock win