'It's what you dream about' - Three jockeys on fire We are flying through the fantastic festive racing bonanza and, as New Year's action nears, we take a look at a trio of jockeys that have been firing in the winners since Christmas, with two of Gordon Elliott's main pilots enjoying the festivities in Ireland more than most. Sam Ewing The man of the moment, Sam Ewing has fired in five festive winners already. He was at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day and landed a maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott on board Sept Etoiles, but it was at Leopardstown where Ewing was really making waves. He got the call-up to ride Solness for Joseph O'Brien, stepping in for the concussed JJ Slevin, and duly put on a gutsy masterclass in the Grade 1 Paddy's Rewards Club Chase to repel the late challenge of Marine Nationale. Talk The Talk looked set to make it a top-level double in the Future Champion Novice Hurdle only to come down at the last, but Ewing was on the scoresheet soon after as Favori De Champdou won the Paddy Power Chase at odds of 66/1 for Elliott and owner Gigginstown House Stud. On Sunday, Ewing capped a stunning weekend when he guided Affordable Fury to glory in the Savills Chase, as former Grand National winner I Am Maximus finished second. It was a big win for trainer Noel Meade, with Ewing satisfying three different yards with major successes in a stunning 24 hours at the Foxrock venue. Jack Kennedy Things have also been going swimmingly well for Jack Kennedy, with seven winners since Christmas Day for the top man at Cullentra House. All seven of Kennedy's winners have come for his boss Elliott. They included Romeo Coolio's last-gasp success in the Racing Post Novice Chase and a big-race double for owners Robcour as Skylight Hustle picked off the Future Champions Novice Hurdle and Teahupoo dominated the Christmas Hurdle in a one-two for the owners with Bob Olinger in second spot. There was disappointment as Gerri Colombe was pulled up in the Savills but, with one day remaining at Leopardstown, Kennedy's strike-rate stands at nearly 46 per cent with 11 winners from his last 24 rides. Sean Bowen Christmas has also been good for Britain's champion jockey, with Sean Bowen landing a momentous Welsh Grand National success on Haiti Couleurs for trainer Rebecca Curtis, one of Bowen's four winners since Christmas Day. He gave a superb front-running performance in the Chepstow marathon as last season's Irish National winner put himself in the Gold Cup picture for Cheltenham in the spring. Welsh-born, it was an emotional success for Bowen coming as it did for a trainer who used to babysit him as a child! On Boxing Day Bowen was pipped at the post as Banbridge went down a nose in the King George after what had appeared to be a perfectly judged challenge from Bowen on the Joseph O'Brien-trained defending champion at Kempton.
