LITTLE more than two years after first taking out a licence, Newmarket handler James Owen could go into the upcoming Cheltenham Festival with a remarkable six contenders. Even harder to believe is the fact that his Green Ridge Stables also houses a number of top flat performers, headed by a leading Epsom Derby hope, Wimbledon Hawkeye, and last year’s Derby runner-up, Ambiente Friendly.

So, where has the 45-year-old suddenly emerged from and how realistic are his chances at the world’s biggest jumps fixture?