Bowen to miss Cheltenham after losing ban appeal

Welsh jockey James Bowen will miss the Cheltenham Festival after losing an appeal against a seven-day suspension handed to him by the whip review committee.

Bowen, 23, rode Zestful Hope to victory at Hereford on Sunday, 23 February but was found guilty of excessive use of the whip approaching the home bend.

Bowen appealed against the ban but his case was dismissed by an independent disciplinary panel on Thursday.

The ban will run from Tuesday, March 11, the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. The festival ends on Friday, 14 March.

Bowen shared the spoils with brother Sean at Cheltenham racecourse in December after a dead heat was recorded between their horses.