Champion Bumper tips 2023

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Champion Bumper TipsWhen is the Champion Bumper 2023?

Cheltenham Wednesday 15th March 5.30pm

Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Open NH Flat Race)  (Grade 1) (4-6yo)

Distance: 2 Miles ½ furlongs

Weights –10st 11lb (4yo), 11st 5lb (5-6yo), 7lb allowance for fillies and mares

The seventh and final race on day two is the Champion Bumper. It is a grade one national hunt flat race, over a distance of about two miles and 100 yards.

Some of the winners of this race have gone on to be superstars over jumps in years to come.

Notable past winners include Florida Pearl, Cue Card, and Champagne Fever.

This is another race where the top stables generally do well, but it isn’t always the fancied horses that win. For example, the year that Cue Card won, it went off at 40/1.

 

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Champion Bumper Records

Fastest Win: Joe Cullen 2000 ridden by CF Swan trained by WP Mullins finished in 221.2 s – 3 minutes 41.2 seconds

Leading jockey (3 wins):

Ruby Walsh – Alexander Banquet (1998), Missed That (2005), Briar Hill (2013)

Leading trainer (10 wins):

Willie Mullins – Wither or Which (1996), Florida Pearl (1997), Alexander Banquet (1998), Joe Cullen (2000), Missed That (2005), Cousin Vinny (2008), Champagne Fever (2012), Briar Hill (2013), Relegate (2018), Ferny Hollow (2020)

Champion Bumper Trends and Statistics

12 Year Trends and Statistics 

  • Age – 11 of the last 12 winners were aged between 5 and 6.
  • Sex – 10 of the last 12 winners were geldings. The 2 winning mares have come from just 12 runners.
  • Trainer – Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are the only trainers to saddle more than 1 winner in the last 12 years with 5 and 2 wins respectively. 
  • Country – 7 of the last 12 winners were bred in Ireland, 2 in France and 3 in Great Britain.
  • Colour – 10 of the last 12 winners were bay.
  • Starting Price (SP) – 5 of the last 12 winners returned a SP of between 7/1 and 16/1.
  • Starting Price Rank – 2 of the last 12 winners started as favourite and 5 were in the first 3 in the betting.
  • Headgear – 11 of the last 12 winners wore no headgear
  • Days Since Last Run – 9 of the last 12 winners had run between 31 and 75 days ago. 
  • Last Run Form –All of the last 12 winners had won last time out.

Who are the Champion Bumper Leading Contenders?

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott account for the last five winners and the pair are likely to fight it out again with FACILE VEGA taken to chalk up another victory for the former named handler who has won the last two renewals.

The Walk In The Park gelding couldn’t have been more impressive when winning on debut at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, romping to a six lengths’ victory over Joyeux Machin and the impression he created that day was reinforced when routing opposition in a Grade Two back at Leopardstown during the Dublin Racing Festival.

He turned in a top notch performance there, travelling strongly and showing a potent change of gear to easily account for the highly-regarded pair of Sandor Clegane and Itswhatunitesus who had both won their debuts.

The son of top-class mare Quevega could be something special and it’s little wonder he’s already among this year’s talking horses and a potential Festival banker for many.

ANTE-POST SELECTION: FACILE VEGA

SIR GERHARD – Unbeaten in 2 bumpers including a listed event at Naval in December.

KILCRUIT – Won a Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Festival with a degree of authority.

EILEENDOVER – Has brushed away the opposition in three runs so far.

THREE STRIPE LIFE – Easy winner at Navan on debut will progress for the run.

What’s Our Champion Bumper Tips?

Hard to split the leading contenders although EILEENDOVER may find things tough in this compant, last 4 year old to win was Cue Card in 2010. KILCRUIT was pretty impressive cruising past the opposition when winning at Leopardstown and at this current time just shades it for me.

Here's what Keith tipped on the day:

ELLE EST BELLE 16:50 Cheltenham 22/1 each way – Willie Mullins KILCRUIT is a worthy favourite but favourites have a habit of being turned over in this race. Not many mares run in the Champion Bumper but they do have a good record in the race, that is one of the reasons I am siding with the unbeaten ELLE EST BELLE who can take full advantage of her 7lb sex allowance.

How did he do?

ELLE EST BELLE – advised at 22/1 each way, we'll take the place money for a third place – was held up in rear, pushed along in 7th entering home straight, kept on final 2f, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with leading duo

Here is Keith’s tip for the 2020 Weatherby's Champion Bumper.

Grade 2 bumper winner APPRECIATE IT ticks plenty of boxes and Willie Mullins knows what is required to win this race however the current odds of 7/4 puts me off and I am looking for a bit more value.

PANIC ATTACK won impressively on debut this is what I told the FRT Inner Circle members back in January:

“Impressive winner of a listed bumper at Market Rasen on debut, comfortably taking care of the field without breaking sweat. Probable Champion Bumper contender.”

Since that win she has been bought out of the Willie Mullins yard and moved to trainer David Pipe and while aged just four she misses the age vital statistic but we had a four year old in this race last year that finished second.

My selection for the Champion Bumper 2020 is: PANIC ATTACK 10/1 each way (NRNB).

As this article is written in advance of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, the likely contenders are expected to change as we get closer to Ladies Day. The picture also starts to get much clearer as we approach the festival, with trainers starting to show their cards in the weeks leading up to Day 2. 

Keith's on the day selection was PANIC ATTACK

How did he do?

 In the Champion Bumper PANIC ATTACK was held up and never even looked like getting involved.

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Champion Bumper Results

Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m½f (3607 yards) Prize (winner): £45560 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 20    Going: Heavy    Class: Class 1 Grade 1    Age Restrictions: 4-6yo
Winners Time: 4 mins 4.80s   Avg OR: 114     Median OR: 119    

NoPlaceDist BtHorseAgeWeightORTrainerJockey (Claim)Odds
71stFacile Vega (IRE)511-5138Mullins, W PMullins, Mr P W15/8 (Fav)
mid-division, headway over 5f out, challenged 3f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, readily BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 3.9 Owner: Hammer & Trowel Syndicate
22nd3.75American Mike (IRE)511-5138Elliott, GordonCodd, Mr J J5/2
mid-division on outside, closed over 6f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, switched left over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, stayed on BF IP MIN 2.2 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Bective Stud
103rd2.5Jamess Gate (IRE)511-5119Mullins, W POKeeffe, Sean F16/1
chased leaders, headway on inside 5f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Sean & Bernardine Mulryan
174th2.75Seabank Bistro (IRE)511-5122Mullins, W PHayes, Brian18/1
held up towards rear, headway on outside 6f out, ridden over 3f out, close 3rd and ridden 2f out, 4th and held from over 1f out, kept on BF IP MIN 11 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Jodmart Construction Ltd
35th1.75Authorised Speed (FR)511-5124Moore, G LMoore, Joshua50/1
held up in rear, headway over 6f out, 5th and ridden over 2f out, unable to get on terms, kept on BF IP MIN 18 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Gallagher Bloodstock Limited
216th2.25Poetic Music410-2116OBrien, FergalBrennan, P J33/1
held up in rear, headway towards outside from 6f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on but unable to get on terms BF IP MIN 48 BF IP MAX 950 Owner: Mr Ismail El Magdoub
157th0.75Our Jester611-5121Morrison, HBoinville, Nico50/1
mid-division, headway over 5f out, outpaced 3f out, weakened from over 1f out BF IP MIN 40 BF IP MAX 950 Owner: Pangfield Racing V
138th4.5Music Drive (FR)511-5118Elliott, GordonRussell, D N50/1
chased leaders on inside, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f BF IP MIN 70 BF IP MAX 950 Owner: Mr David Barnard
189th8.5Spanish Present (IRE)611-5110Keighley, MBowen, Sean P250/1
prominent early, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened from 2f out BF IP MIN 21 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: David Maughan
2010thHDViva Devito (IRE)511-5128Mullins, W POConnor, Derek25/1
held up towards rear BF IP MIN 22 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: C Jones
1211th10Madmansgame511-5115Mullins, W PMullins, D E10/1
led or disputed lead until over 9f out, led over 5f out, headed over 4f out, weakened inside final 3f BF IP MIN 14 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Dr S P Fitzgerald
512th8.5Cillians Charm (IRE)511-5110McCann, AnthonyMoore, J M250/1
always towards rear BF IP MIN 310 BF IP MAX 780 Owner: Hasson Syndicate
1613th20Redemption Day511-5126Mullins, W PTownend, P7/1
in touch in mid-division, closed 8f out, lost place on inside over 4f out, soon well beaten BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr T Odriscoll
1414th0.75Ocean Of Mercy (IRE)611-5119Hennessy, PaulTwiston-Davies, Sam125/1
prominent early, chased leaders, lost place over 5f out BF IP MIN 150 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr J Turner
915th41Houlanbatordechais (FR)511-50Mullins, W PBlackmore, Rachael14/1
raced keenly and hung right, soon in touch, led over 9f out, clear over 7f out, headed over 3f out, soon weakened BF IP MIN 19.5 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mrs S Ricci
1PUAint No Sunshine (IRE)611-5109Dalgleish, KeithMcMenamin, Daniel125/1
in rear, struggling 7f out, soon well behind, pulled up after BF IP MIN 210 BF IP MAX 990 Owner: Middleham Park Racing Xx And Partner
19PUTop Dog (IRE)511-5127Lavelle, Miss E CBellamy, Tom50/1
prominent early, held up in touch, weakened from over 5f out BF IP MIN 65 BF IP MAX 950 Owner: Mr N Mustoe
4PUCall Me Harry (IRE)511-5118Jardine, IOFarrell, C125/1
mid-division, struggling 8f out, well behind over 6f out, pulled up after BF IP MIN 200 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: D & D Armstrong Ltd & Mr L Westwood
8PUGodot (IRE)511-5105Irvine, AndyPowell, Brendan250/1
prominent or disputed lead until over 9f out, weakened from 6f out, pulled up inside final 3f BF IP MIN 470 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Taylor & ODwyer
11PUJoyeux Machin (FR)511-5121Nolan, PaulCooper, Bryan J33/1
mid-division, well beaten 6f out, pulled up inside final 3f BF IP MIN 42 BF IP MAX 950 Owner: Rectory Road Holdings Limited/j McCaul

Non Runners
Esperti (IRE) – 2022-03-16 07:28:01
Rosy Redrum (IRE) – 2022-03-16 14:19:01

Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Distance: 2m½f (3607 yards) Prize (winner): £31652 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 14    Going: Good To Soft    Class: Class 1 Grade 1    Age Restrictions: 4-6yo
Winners Time: 3 mins 55.48s   Avg OR: 122     Median OR: 120

NoPlaceDist BtHorseAgeWeightORTrainerJockey (Claim)OddsBFBFP
91stSir Gerhard (IRE)611-5132Mullins, W PBlackmore, Rachael85/40
shade keen, made all, set steady pace, quickened and went clear entering home straight, reduced lead and edged right inside final furlong, always doing enough
62nd0.5Kilcruit (IRE)611-5139Mullins, W PTownend, P10/11 (Fav)
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd over 2f out, stayed on well in closing stages, not reach winner
123rd6.5Elle Est Belle510-12120Skelton, DanielSkelton, Harry16/1
held up in rear, pushed along in 7th entering home straight, kept on final 2f, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with leading duo
104th1.25Three Stripe Life (IRE)511-5124Foster, Mrs DeniseKennedy, J W10/1
unseated rider on way to post, raced keenly in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before home straight, 3rd and one pace inside final 2f, weakened into 4th towards finish
155th4.5Super Six410-12120Twiston-Davies, N ABellamy, Tom80/1
raced keenly, held up towards rear, plugged on final 2f, never on terms
136th0.75Grangee (FR)510-12120Mullins, W PMullins, D E18/1
towards rear, plugged on inside final furlong, never on terms
117th0.5Wonderwall (IRE)511-5120Spencer, RichardBowen, James C50/1
chased leaders, pushed along entering home straight, outpaced over 2f out, no danger after
78th2Ramillies (IRE)611-5127Mullins, W PCooper, Bryan J14/1
tracked winner, pushed along entering home straight, edging left and no chance with winner when lost 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
149th3I Like To Move It410-12123Twiston-Davies, N ATwiston-Davies, Sam40/1
never closer than mid-division on inside, pushed along and struggling towards rear 4f out
810th3.5Shearer (IRE)511-5114Nicholls, P FHeskin, A P50/1
tracked leaders, outpaced and struggling 4f out
111th5Chemical Energy (IRE)511-5122Foster, Mrs DenisePower, R M50/1
wore hood to post, never closer than mid-division, outpaced and struggling final 4f
212th5.5Cool Jet (IRE)511-5115Mullins, W PHayes, Brian50/1
mid-division out wide, outpaced and struggling over 4f out
513th2.75Jacks A Legend611-5118Jones, A EOBrien, T J80/1
always towards rear
314th54Creggan White Hare (IRE)611-5108Conway, SeanBargary, J P300/1
towards rear, behind and struggling 5f out, tailed off

Non Runners  Fine Casting (IRE)

Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1 Standard Open NH Flat Race)
Distance: 2m½f (3607 yards) Prize (winner): £42202 Direction: Left Handed
Runners: 23    Going: Soft    Class: Class 1 Grade 1    Age Restrictions: 4-6yo
Winners Time: 4 mins 6.06s   Avg OR: 119     Median OR: 122

NoPlaceDist BtHorseAgeORTrainerJockey (Claim)Odds
71stFerny Hollow (IRE)5124Mullins, W PTownend, P11/1
held up in last pair, steady headway over 4f out, chased leaders turning in, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ridden clear final 75 yards BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 150
22nd2.5Appreciate It (IRE)6131Mullins, W PMullins, Mr P W15/8 (Fav)
in touch, smooth headway to lead narrowly turning in, ridden 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no impression with winner final 75 yards BF IP MIN 1.5 BF IP MAX 1000
183rd3.25Queens Brook (IRE)5118Elliott, GordonCodd, Mr J J6/1
mid-division on outside, headway 4f out, driven to challenge turning in, kept on and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, no impression with front pair final 100 yards, just held on for 3rd BF IP MIN 3.2 BF IP MAX 1000
164thNKThird Time Lucki (IRE)5127Skelton, DanielSkelton, Harry16/1
held up in last pair, steady headway over 4f out, driven to chase leaders turning in, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, just failed for 3rd, no impression with front pair BF IP MIN 6 BF IP MAX 950
65thHDEskylane (IRE)6123Elliott, GordonRussell, D N16/1
held up towards rear, smooth headway to track leaders turning in, driven and unable to quicken over 1f out, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression with front pair, lost place near finish BF IP MIN 3 BF IP MAX 1000
226th4.5Ocean Wind4130Teal, R AColeman, A12/1
held up towards rear, headway halfway, driven to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong BF IP MIN 13.5 BF IP MAX 600
117th8Julies Stowaway (IRE)6119Mullins, Ms MargaretMullins, D E40/1
mid-division, headway towards outside 4f out, ridden over 1f out, never pace to challenge BF IP MIN 46 BF IP MAX 950
198th3.75The Glancing Queen (IRE)6124King, ACannon, Tom J12/1
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 4f out, driven to chase leaders turning in, soon one pace, no impression from over 1f out BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 1000
99th1Good Time Jonny (IRE)5114Martin, A JPower, R M66/1
towards rear on inside, driven and headway into mid-division 3f out, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders BF IP MIN 100 BF IP MAX 890
1410th0.5One True King (IRE)5116Twiston-Davies, N ATwiston-Davies, Sam100/1
mid-division, chased leaders 4f out, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, weakened inside final furlong BF IP MIN 60 BF IP MAX 400
811th0.5Five Bar Brian (IRE)6122Mullins, W PMullins, David33/1
held up in touch, tracked leaders going well on inside 4f out, ridden and not quicken turning in, weakened final furlong BF IP MIN 12 BF IP MAX 1000
1312th3.5Mahler Allstar (IRE)6114Sweeney, JonathanWalsh, M P100/1
in touch, tracked leader halfway, led narrowly 6f out, driven and headed turning in, soon lost place, weakened final furlong BF IP MIN 50 BF IP MAX 950
313th9Ask A Honey Bee (IRE)6124OBrien, FergalHarrison, Liam25/1
in touch, driven and lost place over 4f out, soon outpaced, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong BF IP MIN 32 BF IP MAX 1000
514th1.75Can You Call5102Martin, Andrew JMartin, James100/1
chased leaders on inside, lost place halfway, outpaced 4f out, no danger after BF IP MIN 800 BF IP MAX 1000
1715th1.25Darling Daughter (IRE)6122Elliott, GordonONeill, Ms Lisa14/1
tracked leader to halfway, in touch, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened final 2f BF IP MIN 22 BF IP MAX 1000
116thNKAdrimel (FR)5124Lacey, TJohnson, Richard25/1
prominent, disputed lead over 6f out, ridden and lost place turning in, weakened over 1f out BF IP MIN 22 BF IP MAX 950
1017th0.5Israel Champ (IRE)5130Pipe, D EScudamore, Tom8/1
led, headed over 6f out, driven and lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out BF IP MIN 5.8 BF IP MAX 1000
2318thNKPanic Attack (IRE)4122Pipe, D EHughes, Brian10/1
held up mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, weakened 2f out BF IP MIN 13.5 BF IP MAX 1000
2019thHDAudacity4118Greatrex, W JSheehan, Gavin100/1
chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, lost place over 6f out, soon behind BF IP MIN 220 BF IP MAX 1000
2120thHDLet Me Entertain U4103Scudamore, M JPowell, Brendan100/1
mid-division, lost place halfway, soon behind BF IP MIN 550 BF IP MAX 1000
421stNSEBrief Ambition6120OBrien, FergalWedge, Adam100/1
mid-division on inside, chased leaders halfway, driven and lost place over 3f out, weakened 2f out BF IP MIN 400 BF IP MAX 1000
1222ndSHLinelee King (FR)5113Murphy, OllyHeskin, A P100/1
mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, soon behind BF IP MIN 130 BF IP MAX 590
1523rd43Snowpiercer (FR)6101Brooke, Lady SusanBrooke, Miss L150/1
always towards rear on outside, lost touch over 4f out, tailed off BF IP MIN 1000 BF IP MAX 1000

Champion Bumper Previous Winners

DateGoingRunnersWinnerStallionAgeJockey (Clm)TrainerOddsWeightORDays
Heavy20515/811-513839d
Good To Soft14685/4011-513289d
Soft23511/111-512418d
Soft1452/111-512739d
Soft23525/110-1212038d
Good To Soft2267/110-1212939d
Good2355/111-513432d
Good2369/211-5132144d
Good22616/111-511974d
Good To Soft23525/111-511869d
Good20516/111-513652d
Good24514/111-512233d
Good24440/110-1212151d
Good To Soft2469/211-513387d
Good To Soft23512/111-511822d
Good To Soft24511/211-50122d
Good23633/111-5017d
Good2467/211-5039d
Good2457/110-12079d
Good2552/111-60115d
Good To Soft23514/111-6017d
Good17514/111-60282d
Good To Soft25550/111-6032d
Good2559/111-6025d

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Cheltenham Festival Wednesday

Race Schedule

START TIMESRACEDISTANCETYPE
13:30The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Race2m abt 5fHurdle
14:10The Festival Novices’ Chase (RSA Chase) (Grade 1)3m abt ½ fChase
14:50The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Grade 3)2m abt 5fHurdle
15:30The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
(feature race)
Abt 2mChase
16:10The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase3m 6fChase
16:50The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Grade 3)2m abt ½fChase
17.30The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)2m abt ½fBumper

The Countdown to Cheltenham 2024

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