Mention Wednesday’s finale, the Champion Bumper, to anyone, and the first name that springs to mind is Willie Mullins – the trainer who sent out four of the last 10 winners of this race.
Mullins Champion Once More?
Mullins again has his usual platoon of candidates lined-up, one of whom is the current 5/1 jolly, Bordini, who has been a favourite of the trainer’s even before having his first run, and so far the 5yo has lived up to expectations.
Indeed, the manner in which he won by 6l to make it 2-2 in bumpers at Navan in December (2m, soft) was very impressive, and Mullins stated afterwards that he would go to Cheltenham where the ground would not be a problem.
Making up the rest of the Mullins battalion is Pylonthepressure (10/1), who also made it 2-2 in bumpers at Naas last month (2m3f, soft). Set alight at the head of affairs, this 5yo made every post a winning one in coming over 8l, and if he repeats this kind of performance at Cheltenham then he could be hard to peg back. Certainly in terms of value, he has to be of interest at 10/1.
Let’s not forget stablemate, Stone Hard, though, who is also 2-2 in bumpers, and recorded a similar level of form to Bordini when winning by 14l at Gowran Park in January (2m, soft). Blessed with a galloping long stride, he looks just the sort for Cheltenham and is another that cannot be dismissed, especially as Mullins’ last two winners of this race were not first choices at 25/1 and 16/1.
Don’t Forget Dermot
Dermot Weld won the race 12 months ago, when his 6yo, Vigil, was back in fifth place. His only run since was a narrow win at Leopardstown (2m, soft) over Christmas, but it’s hard to see him winning having lost fair and square.
Henry De Bromhead also has a leading fancy in Supasundae (12/1), who showed improvement from his debut win to scoop a Listed event at Ascot in December (2m, soft). Jockey, Barry Geraghty, was pleased with him following that and though he hasn’t been since, past records show that runners to have been less active performed better in this race…
Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Champion Bumper winners…
10 won last time out
9 were non-favourites
9 ran over the same trip or moved up in distance from last time
7 ran just one during the last 90 days
W Mullins won it four times
Brit Challenge
While the Irish have to be fancied, not just because of the Mullins factor, but because they won eight of the last 10 renewals of this race, the Brits will be trying hard to win for the first time since 2011.
Philip Hobbs was the last Brit trainer to send out the winner four years ago, and has chances of scoring again with his 12/1 shot, Wait For Me. This 5yo made a big impression when winning on his debut at Ascot (2m, soft), coming clear by 5l, and it’s interesting to note only one other horse won that particular bumper upon debut, Sprinter Sacre.
David Pipe’s Moon Racer further strengthens the Brits case (8/1), who won his first bumper at Fairyhouse, before joining Pipe to win over this C&D in October (good to soft). Pipe has kept him under wraps since, but the manner of his 12l victory suggests he could be a bit special.
Recommended Bets
It’s hard to ignore that man Willie Mullins in a race he did well in down the years, although not always with his first string. With that in mind, his Stone Hard, who wasn’t extended to win by 14l last time, could be the value option at 12/1.
Mullins Champion Once More?
Mullins again has his usual platoon of candidates lined-up, one of whom is the current 5/1 jolly, Bordini, who has been a favourite of the trainer’s even before having his first run, and so far the 5yo has lived up to expectations.
Indeed, the manner in which he won by 6l to make it 2-2 in bumpers at Navan in December (2m, soft) was very impressive, and Mullins stated afterwards that he would go to Cheltenham where the ground would not be a problem.
Making up the rest of the Mullins battalion is Pylonthepressure (10/1), who also made it 2-2 in bumpers at Naas last month (2m3f, soft). Set alight at the head of affairs, this 5yo made every post a winning one in coming over 8l, and if he repeats this kind of performance at Cheltenham then he could be hard to peg back. Certainly in terms of value, he has to be of interest at 10/1.
Let’s not forget stablemate, Stone Hard, though, who is also 2-2 in bumpers, and recorded a similar level of form to Bordini when winning by 14l at Gowran Park in January (2m, soft). Blessed with a galloping long stride, he looks just the sort for Cheltenham and is another that cannot be dismissed, especially as Mullins’ last two winners of this race were not first choices at 25/1 and 16/1.
Don’t Forget Dermot
Dermot Weld won the race 12 months ago, when his 6yo, Vigil, was back in fifth place. His only run since was a narrow win at Leopardstown (2m, soft) over Christmas, but it’s hard to see him winning having lost fair and square.
Henry De Bromhead also has a leading fancy in Supasundae (12/1), who showed improvement from his debut win to scoop a Listed event at Ascot in December (2m, soft). Jockey, Barry Geraghty, was pleased with him following that and though he hasn’t been since, past records show that runners to have been less active performed better in this race…
Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Champion Bumper winners…
10 won last time out
9 were non-favourites
9 ran over the same trip or moved up in distance from last time
7 ran just one during the last 90 days
W Mullins won it four times
Brit Challenge
While the Irish have to be fancied, not just because of the Mullins factor, but because they won eight of the last 10 renewals of this race, the Brits will be trying hard to win for the first time since 2011.
Philip Hobbs was the last Brit trainer to send out the winner four years ago, and has chances of scoring again with his 12/1 shot, Wait For Me. This 5yo made a big impression when winning on his debut at Ascot (2m, soft), coming clear by 5l, and it’s interesting to note only one other horse won that particular bumper upon debut, Sprinter Sacre.
David Pipe’s Moon Racer further strengthens the Brits case (8/1), who won his first bumper at Fairyhouse, before joining Pipe to win over this C&D in October (good to soft). Pipe has kept him under wraps since, but the manner of his 12l victory suggests he could be a bit special.
Recommended Bets
It’s hard to ignore that man Willie Mullins in a race he did well in down the years, although not always with his first string. With that in mind, his Stone Hard, who wasn’t extended to win by 14l last time, could be the value option at 12/1.