Grand National 2022: Jockey James Bowen says winning the National would be the icing on the cake

Jockey James Bowen believes victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse would be the 'icing on the cake' for his whole career.

Bowen will partner the Ben Pauling-trained Kildisart in the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree in front of the returning racegoers as well as his parents and girlfriend.

The 21-year-old jockey will be making his third start in the Aintree marathon, having already equalled his highest tally of winners for a season – including one over the Grand National fences.

The Welsh-born rider has 72 victories so far this term – the same number he achieved in the 2018-19 campaign.

And victory on the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding or any of his other rides over the three days in Liverpool would see him create a new seasonal best.

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Mum and dad Karen and trainer Peter Bowen – whose Mac Tottie the jockey partnered to victory in the Betway Grand Sefton Chase over the Aintree obstacles in November – and his girlfriend of 18 months Niamh Mason will be on the track hoping to cheer him home.

Bowen said: “Mum and dad wouldn’t miss the Grand National, while my girlfriend Niamh will be there too.

“They (mum and dad) love the Grand National as do I. It is the biggest race and the one that everyone wants to win. I don’t think you can compare it to anything else really.

“I think it would be the icing on the cake for my whole career, not just my season, if I win the Grand National as I don’t think it will get any better than that.

“In my previous attempts I pulled up on Shantou Flyer and was ninth on Outlander, so I’ve had a couple of good spins.

“They were outsiders really, as is Kildisart, but in a race like this you always keep your