Champion Bumper 2021 Racecard
The Champion Bumper is a Grade 1 National Hunt Flat race which takes place at the Cheltenham Festival each year, and is run over a distance of about two miles and half a furlong (2 miles and 87 yards). Open to horses aged between four and six years old, the Champion Bumper was established in 1992 and is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham. It was initially called the Festival Bumper, and had various sponsors in the early years, including Tote and Guinness. However, Weatherbys have been sponsoring the race since 1997 and it is now widely known as the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
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4:50 Wed 17 Mar CHAMPION BUMPER Distance: 16f 87y Age: 4yo 6 Prize: £56,250 Going: Gd/Sft
Expect Willie Mullins to dominate this once again, with KILCRUIT taken to get the better of new stablemate Sir Gerhard in a tantalising clash. Both look hugely-promising, but it's not hard to side with Kilcruit, the most impressive winner of a bumper for many a year in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown, also landed by the 2018 and 2019 winners of this race. Three Stripe Life is another key player. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
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1 |
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1. CHEMICAL ENERGY (IRE) J: Robbie Power T: Mrs Denise Foster, Ireland |
5 11-5 |
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| Promising when landing the odds impressively at Roscommon and Down Royal first 2 starts, though could only plug on for minor money behind Kilcruit at Leopardstown last month and suddenly needs more. | |||||
2 |
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2. COOL JET (IRE) J: B. Hayes T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
5 11-5 |
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| Improved to open account in the mud at Thurles last month, tanking through the race and quickening clear. May do even better, but down the yard's pecking order judged on riding arrangements. | |||||
3 |
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3. CREGGAN WHITE HARE (IRE) J: Jamie Bargary T: Sean Conway |
6 11-5 |
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| Off the mark in re-fitted tongue tie at Newcastle last month. That form falls miles short of what will be required to get competitive in this. | |||||
4 |
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4. FINE CASTING (IRE) J: Daryl Jacob T: Ben Pauling |
5 11-5 |
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| Made all in good style to land gamble at Newbury 8 weeks ago. Plenty more needed again to follow up in this far more competitive contest. | |||||
5 |
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5. JACK'S A LEGEND J: Tom O'Brien T: Alan Jones |
6 11-5 |
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| Has reached a useful level in bumpers without success, going close in steadily-run contest here in November. Would be a very surprising winner after 4 months off/wind op. | |||||
6 |
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6. KILCRUIT (IRE) J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-5 |
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| Looks out of the top drawer, sauntering to victory for new yard at Navan and Leopardstown (Grade 2, impressively beat Letsbeclearaboutit by 12 lengths). Yard dominate this and he's the one to beat. | |||||
7 |
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7. RAMILLIES (IRE) J: B. J. Cooper T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-5 |
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| Successful return after a year off in Leopardstown bumper over Christmas and shaped well behind stablemate Kilcruit in Grade 2 there subsequently, emptying late on. Can do better still. | |||||
8 |
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8. SHEARER (IRE) J: A. P. Heskin T: Paul Nicholls |
5 11-5 |
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| Shaped really well on debut before going one better with easy success in the mud at Warwick on New Year's Eve. Rare runner in the race for top yard and needs more to score. Tongue tie goes on. | |||||
9 |
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9. SIR GERHARD (IRE) J: Rachael Blackmore T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-5 |
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| £400,000 wide-margin point winner who has stormed to victory in 2 bumpers for Gordon Elliott, powering away from Letsbeclearaboutit in listed Navan contest in December. Likely has lots more to come. | |||||
10 |
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10. THREE STRIPE LIFE (IRE) J: J. W. Kennedy T: Mrs Denise Foster, Ireland |
5 11-5 |
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| From a useful jumps family and landed a gamble in good style on debut at Navan 7 weeks ago. Could have a lot more to offer and he figures high on the shortlist. | |||||
11 |
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11. WONDERWALL (IRE) J: James Bowen T: Richard Spencer |
5 11-5 |
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| Landed gamble at Ascot on debut in November and ran well in listed contest back there following month, again having quite a hard race. Plenty more needed to make an impact, but not totally discounted. | |||||
12 |
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12. ELLE EST BELLE J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton |
5 10-12 |
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| Accounted for 4 previous winners on debut at Aintree in October and followed up when dead-heating in the gloom in listed contest here in November. Wouldn't dismiss. | |||||
13 |
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13. GRANGEE (FR) J: D. E. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
5 10-12 |
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| Took another step forward when resuming winning ways in Grade 2 mares' event at Leopardstown last month. 1 of 5 for yard with best record in the race but they have a couple of far stronger candidates. | |||||
14 |
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14. I LIKE TO MOVE IT J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel Twiston-Davies |
4 10-12 |
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| Clear-cut winner of Aintree/Wincanton bumpers first 2 starts and ran a fine race in second in listed Newbury contest last month. More needed again but that isn't out of the question. | |||||
15 |
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15. SUPER SIX J: Tom Bellamy T: Nigel Twiston-Davies |
4 10-12 |
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| Defending an unbeaten record after wins at Hereford and Chepstow, forging clear for an impressive success in Wales last month. Likely has even more to offer. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 15/8 1.87 SIR GERHARD, 2/1 2 KILCRUIT, 10/1 10 THREE STRIPE LIFE, 22/1 22 RAMILLIES, 25/1 25 ELLE EST BELLE, 28/1 28 GRANGEE, 28/1 28 I LIKE TO MOVE IT, 33/1 33 WONDERWALL, 40/1 40 CHEMICAL ENERGY, 50/1 50 COOL JET, 50/1 50 SUPER SIX, 66/1 66 SHEARER, 100/1 100 FINE CASTING, 250/1 250 JACK's A LEGEND, 250/1 250 CREGGAN WHITE HARE |
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The Champion Bumper is the most prestigious race of its type in the National Hunt calendar, and has been won in the past by some horses that have gone on to be top-class performers over jumps, notably Florida Pearl and Dunguib.
Cue Card and Champagne Fever are two of the more successful winners of the race in recent years, both of whom went on to achieve further success at the Cheltenham Festival, in the Ryanair Chase and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, respectively.
Cue Card always struck of a horse with any amount of ability, but it took him a few years to get to full capacity.
His victory in the 2013 Ryanair Chase was the best performance on Timeform ratings since the inaugural running in 2005, Cue Card making most and deserving extra credit given the mistakes he made during the race.
His burst of speed between the last two flights left his rivals for dead, beating a high-class performer in First Lieutenant by nine lengths.
Cue Card went on to win six more times at the highest level – including three wins in the Betfair Chase at Haydock – and was arguably in with a very good chance of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2016, still travelling ominously well and moving upsides the leaders when making a rare jumping lapse three from home.
The 2019 renewal of the Champion Bumper was won by Envoi Allen, who was well backed ahead of the race and rewarded backers with a second win in the race for trainer Gordon Elliott.
The most successful Champion Bumper trainer is Willie Mullins , who has won the race a remarkable nine times (he also rode the winner he trained in 1996), with: 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) and Relegate (2018).
The most successful Champion Bumper jockey is
The most successful Champion Bumper jockey is Ruby Walsh, who has tasted success in the race three times, with: Alexander Banquet (1998), Missed That (2005) and Briar Hill (2013).
Champion Bumper 2022 FAQs
What is the distance of the Champion Bumper?
2 miles and 87 yards
How many obstacles are jumped in the Champion Bumper?
None
What day of the festival is the Champion Bumper?
Day 2
What time is the Champion Bumper?
17:30
What weights are carried for the Champion Bumper?
10st 11lbs (4yo). 11st 5lb (5yo-6yo). 7lb allowance for fillies and mares.
What is the purse for the Champion Bumper?
£75,000 (2019)
Who is the leading jockey in the Champion Bumper?
Ruby Walsh
Who is the leading trainer in the Champion Bumper?
Willie Mullins
Who won the Champion Bumper?
You can check out our Champion Bumper results page here to see a list of previous winners.
Where can I compare the odds for the Champion Bumper?
Click the link to visit our Champion Bumper Odds Comparison page.
