Charles Bell
Article by Alan Trout
Charles Bell rode on the Flat between 1909 and 1911 without success. He fared much better after the war as a jump jockey with seven wins in 1922 and four in 1923, but that was all he could muster. What was remarkable is that ten of those eleven victories were achieved on one horse.
He served his apprenticeship with Malton trainer William Elsey and had his first ride in public when unplaced on Scotch Post in the Apprentice Plate at York. on May 18, 1909. He had a few rides over the next two years but no breakthrough.
Charles had his first success under National Hunt Rules when 10-1 chance Navana, owned and trained by Charles Davis, won the Woore Chase at that Shropshire course on April 6, 1922. Navana won five more races that year with Charles aboard, and did almost as well in 1923 with another five wins. Frank Atherton Brown was in the saddle for the first of those as it was the United Services’ Cup for amateur riders at Newbury. But Charles then took over for Navana’s other wins.
Their final success was at Hexham in the Dotland Handicap Chase on May 21, 1923, meaning that they had won ten times in just over thirteen months. They even took on the Aintree fences in the 1923 Becher Chase and completed the course, albeit last of the eight finishers. Their last outing together ended in a fall at Derby on January 14, 1934, following which Charles was replaced, hence James Hogan was in the saddle when Navana recorded his next victory at Ludlow in May.
Charles Bell did not renew his licence for 1925. As for Navana, he won his last race at Fontwell Park on October 5, 1927, ridden by Len Lefebve.
Charles Bell’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Navana, Woore, April 6, 1922
2. Navana, Bridgnorth, April 11, 1922
3. The Trade, Hereford, April 17, 1922
4. Navana, Shirley Park, May 29, 1922
5. Navana, Shirley Park, September 11, 1922
6. Navana, Southwell, September 28, 1922
7. Navana, Uttoxeter, October 17, 1922
8. Navana, Woore, April 19, 1923
9. Navana, Bridgnorth, April 24, 1923
10. Navana, Ludlow, April 26, 1923
11. Navana, Hexham, May 21, 1923
