Champion Bumper 2022 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.

5:30 Wed 16 Mar CHAMPION BUMPER Distance: 16f 87y Age: 4yo 6 Prize: £80,000 Going: Heavy Analyst's Verdict A potentially strong renewal for which it's hard to oppose FACILE VEGA, who eased to victory on debut, then barely broke sweat to land a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown. American Mike did everything right when scoring by wide margins on his two Rules outings to date, so he's likely to be on the premises for another top Irish yard, and the selection's stablemate, Redemption Day, is also a player.

ENTRY FORM	SILKS	HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER	AGE WGT		ODDS
1		1. AIN'T NO SUNSHINE (IRE) J: Danny McMenamin T: Keith Dalgleish	6 11-5		BET
Well-bred 6yo who scored cosily having been well supported at Kelso first time out. More than likely to be outclassed upped markedly in grade, though.
2		2. AMERICAN MIKE (IRE) J: Mr J. J. Codd T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Expensive point recruit who has sauntered clear twice to maintain an unbeaten record since switched to Rules. Listed success at Navan 88 days ago has been boosted, and there's more in the locker.
3		3. AUTHORISED SPEED (FR) J: Joshua Moore T: Gary Moore	5 11-5		BET
Off the mark in impressive fashion at Newbury in January, then seemed unsuited by a steady pace at the same track next time. Remains with potential, but a place is probably the best he can do.
4		4. CALL ME HARRY (IRE) J: Conor O'Farrell T: Iain Jardine	5 11-5		BET
Unbeaten in two to date, well on top at the finish when scoring at Newcastle last time, but this is an entirely different test, and he has plenty to find on form.
5		5. CILLIANS CHARM (IRE) J: Jonathan Moore T: Anthony McCann, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Runner-up in a point and filled the same position on Rules bow in a bumper at Catterick a month ago. Out of his depth in this, though.
6		6. ESPERTI (IRE) J: K. C. Sexton T: Peter Fahey, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Built on earlier promise to get off the mark in 17-runner bumper at Listowel in September, but disappointing at Punchestown subsequently. Not seen for 154 days, and firmly up against it.
7		7. FACILE VEGA (IRE) J: Mr P. W. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Arrives on the back of two authoritative displays, again looking something potentially special when winning by 12 lengths with more to give at the Dublin Racing Festival. Boasts leading claims.
8		8. GODOT (IRE) J: Brendan Powell T: Andy Irvine	5 11-5		BET
Nicely bred and shaped well when third of 14 at Huntingdon on debut. Failed to back it up at Kempton subsequently, so most unlikely he'll make an impact at the top level.
9		9. HOULANBATORDECHAIS (FR) J: Rachael Blackmore T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Ready winner of a couple of French races in October. Picked up by top connections since and, while he's been thrown in at the deep end to some degree, he still warrants a market check.
10		10. JAMES'S GATE (IRE) J: S. F. O'Keeffe T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Sent off a strong odds-on favourite before readily making all at Punchestown a month ago. Clearly well regarded and in top hands, so looks well worth his place.
11		11. JOYEUX MACHIN (FR) J: B. J. Cooper T: Paul Nolan, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Confirmed debut promise when comfortably landing a Navan event in February. The level he's achieved to date is some way short of what's required now, though.
12		12. MADMANSGAME J: D. E. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Blue Bresil gelding who was bought for 250,000 gns after winning sole outing in points, then responded well to follow suit in a bumper at Navan. Stiff finish should suit, so he's not ruled out.
13		13. MUSIC DRIVE (FR) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Point winner who made a promising start when second of 6 in bumper at Leopardstown, then went one better in a first-time tongue strap at Naas 17 days ago. Needs more if he's to play a hand.
14		14. OCEAN OF MERCY (IRE) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Paul Hennessy, Ireland	6 11-5		BET
Ask gelding who has shown up well to be placed in competitive bumpers, the latter coming at this track 144 days ago. Unlikely that he possesses the ability to get involved in this, however.
15		15. OUR JESTER J: Nico de Boinville T: Hughie Morrison	6 11-5		BET
Off the mark at Ascot on return, then quickened away from the front to score at Lingfield 52 days ago. This represents a different sort of test, and others have achieved more.
16		16. REDEMPTION DAY J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Landed the odds at Leopardstown on debut in late December, seeming to have loads of running left as he powered away. Very bright prospect who demands plenty of respect.
17		17. SEABANK BISTRO (IRE) J: B. Hayes T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
Walk In The Park gelding who scored readily despite showing signs of greenness at Naas first time out. More to come, but lack of experience could be his undoing.
18		18. SPANISH PRESENT (IRE) J: Sean Bowen T: Martin Keighley	6 11-5		BET
Off the mark in a 7-runner event at Market Rasen 22 days ago but he's way off the level required to feature in this.
19		19. TOP DOG (IRE) J: Tom Bellamy T: Emma Lavelle	5 11-5		BET
Placed 3 times before opening his account in a listed event at Newbury a month ago. Showed a better attitude that day, but he lacks the talent to trouble some of the big guns.
20		20. VIVA DEVITO (IRE) J: Mr D. O'Connor T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	5 11-5		BET
First run since leaving Gearoid O'Loughlin when winning 9-runner bumper at Tramore, barely coming off the bridle. This demands a lot more, but he has obvious potential.
21		21. POETIC MUSIC J: Paddy Brennan T: Fergal O'Brien	4 10-2		BET
Poet's Voice filly who is 3 from 3 in bumpers (left John Butler after debut), overcoming a positional bias to land a listed event 74 days ago. Could go well in receipt of weight once more.
22		22. ROSY REDRUM (IRE) J: Mitchell Bastyan T: Milton Harris	4 10-2		BET
Followed a successful start with a good second to Top Dog in a listed event at Newbury. Could turn the tables with that rival, but unlikely to be involved in the finish.
Betting Forecast : 6/4 1.5 FACILE VEGA, 11/4 2.75 AMERICAN MIKE, 15/2 7.5 REDEMPTION DAY, 22/1 22 JAMES's GATE, 33/1 33 SEABANK BISTRO, 40/1 40 VIVA DEVITO, 40/1 40 POETIC MUSIC, 40/1 40 MADMANSGAME, 50/1 50 OUR JESTER, 50/1 50 MUSIC DRIVE, 50/1 50 HOULANBATORDECHAIS, 50/1 50 ROSY REDRUM, 66/1 66 JOYEUX MACHIN, 66/1 66 TOP DOG, 66/1 66 AUTHORISED SPEED, 125/1 125 OCEAN OF MERCY, 150/1 150 AIN't NO SUNSHINE, 200/1 200 CALL ME HARRY, 300/1 300 SPANISH PRESENT, 300/1 300 ESPERTI, 300/1 300 GODOT, 300/1 300 CILLIANS CHARM

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.