Champion Bumper 2015

Bellshill will hack up on better ground, that run behind Vigil was excellent, going down by a length effectively giving him 4lbs too on ground that wouldn't suit. The way the race was run wouldn't of suited either he'd be much better being tucked in going a good clip to make use of his stamina. He'll gallop all the way up the hill at Cheltenham I really really like this horse for the bumper and think he has a lot more to come especially on the better ground. You look at him physically and he still has a lot of filling out to do compared to Bordini especially. Lets not forget that Vigil was 5/1 2nd fav for last years Champion Bumper so to be a length behind him giving him weight looks a good run to me. The 3rd 4th & 5th in that Leopardstown bumper have previously won bumpers too so the form is rock solid. Get all you can on him.

I just watched backed Supasundae obliterating a strong Bumper field with plenty of winners in it at Ascot. He looked very impressive quickening up off a slow pace. He's well related too with the grand-dam also being the dam of several G1 winners for John Gosden including Nathaniel. He has to be high enough up the pecking order for the Champion Bumper. Is Cheltenham the plan for this horse?

**** me Mullins having 4 winners of bumper!

SYT - Generally the champion bumper isn't usually won by speed type flat breds like Supasundae, the race more benefits a young staying type. I think Supersundae looks very promising but not a Cheltenham horse for this season at least. Aintree bumper may suit him down to the ground however.

They are fair points DeadMurph5 - I'm not sure have many flat bred horses ever won the Bumper at Cheltenham, Silver Concorde was - but I was very impressed with Supasundae. It was a slow pace though and the Champion Bumper is always a crazy pace with a lot of bumping and roughness so that might not suit. He's a big horse so the undulations would be a question too. Still that was probably the best Bumper in the UK that side of Christmas. I'm just wondering though are connections thinking about the Bumper now or Cup races on the flat?

Boys,
Patrick Mullins said in an interview with Gary on ATR (while walking back to weight in, immediately after Bordini had just won the Listed Navan bumper) that he thought 'this lad and TYCOON PRINCE were the two best he'd seen so far'.

Tycoon Prince headed PWM twice - on Rio Treasure in Galway & on Royal Caviar in F/hse - BUT..."he's a proper, big horse, and a chaser in the making. I'm not sure if he'll run again this season and I'll have to talk to the owners; but we'll mind him".  Gordon Elliott, trainer. One to watch any which ways.

Royal Prince won't run in the bumper as its a Gigginstown horse

Tycoon prince sorry

Au Quart Du Tour entered again at the weekend

Him or Potters Point were the two I had picked out as the winner

* Au Quart De Tour

CS,
Previously won this same bumper with

2012 Champagne Fever 5 11-12 Mr P W Mullins 1/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2011 Lovethehigherlaw 5 11-12 Mr P W Mullins 1/3Fav (W P Mullins)
2010 Up Ou That 5 11-12 Mr P W Mullins 6/4 (W P Mullins)

Au Quart De Tour runs in the last at Fairyhouse tomorrow. Paddy Poverty being ever so generous with their delightful odds of 8/15 priced up. Clearly not a betting race but will watch with interest to find out if he justifies the hype.

Best priced 12/1 for the Champion Bumper before he even touches a racecourse, the joys of ante-post betting!

frank60  • January 10, 2015 7:00 PM GMT 
Tony I hear theres a lot of talk about Au Quart De Tour in the bumper tomorrow, seems theres no end of good ones for the Riccis.
tony57  • January 10, 2015 7:05 PM GMT 
I don't know frank I did read about the horse and the guy who helped souce the horse gave it a big write up....and nows the time mullins sends out his better bumper horses....it would not surprise me....Mullins really buying more French stock now.

This is a race I don't touch with a barge pole antepost. And i ALWAYS start the week saying to myself, I will not be betting in it this year etc etc but I always end up finding myself in the shops collecting my antepost wagers from the Tuesday when the coverage on C4 has ended and this race is priced up and think, oh well it is a festival race i am sure i cant go much further without picking the winner of it and always end up backing 5 or 6 at all odds and get zero in the frame! Utterly horrendous race!

I agree it's difficult from a betting perspective but I don't watch racing just for a betting perspective. The majority of horses that win/run in the Champion Bumper are always ones to follow for the future. Yes the race is a minefield and I will have a small bet on the day for interest but would certainly rather bet in a race like this than one of the many big handicap races at the festival where it's simply a case of the one who's been fiddled most wins.

For the record, I've never bet more than one horse in a race regardless of the field size. If I'm not confident enough on one horse I simply avoid the race. Would feel sick at betting 5 or 6.

Au Quart De Tour will have his work cut out beating Cogryhill....

Went a snail pace on the heavier side of soft ground and showed a nice turn of foot to get away from Cogryhill. Will probably appreciate better ground. Another one to add to the mix from Team Mullins.

I didn't think Au Quart De Tour was that impressive myself. Fair enough it was a slow pace but I've seem Bumper horses quicken up better than that. Not sure he's the best of Mullins Bumper ones.

Mullins on Au Quart De Tour "He came to us with a big reputation but was not showing anything until he did a nice bit of work early this week. So to do that off what looked a slow pace, I'm very happy with him.

"There seemed to be a number of fancied horses in the race. He should improve now that he's turned a corner. He'll stay in bumpers this season, and will probably have another run before Cheltenham."

Up for Review for the Wylies is the most impressive bumper horse I've seen so far but he might just be a big chasing type ala Black Hercules last year and get tapped for toe at the finish

After Robbie McNamara saying that Vigil would be returning for another crack at the Champion Bumper, he has interestingly been entered in a maiden hurdle next Wednesday. Could it be that Weld has another one up his sleeve? Vigil made his debut in January last year and was beaten. The only entry he has for bumpers so far is a horse called First Figaro who was beaten on his debut on Boxing Day.

I think Mullins has an especially strong hand this year. I liked Moon Racer when he won on the course before Christmas but apart from that the English challenge looks very poor. bar another Cue Card lying in wait.i would be very surprised if Closutton didnt supply the winner yet again.
I dont see Stonehard priced up anywhere? I thought this fella was impressive winning his bumper at Fairyhouse and Willie and Patrick both spoke highly of him afterwards. Anybody know what the story is?

I see Vigil is entered for a maiden hurdle @ Fairyhouse on Wednesday in case anyone is thinking of backing him for this.

Also looks to be a good Bumper @ Gowran on Thursday with Mullins having a few of his stars entered and Tycoon Prince entered for Gordon Elliott.

Supasundae has also been bought by Alan Potts.

Two decent animals in the last at Leop there IMO.

Definitely, CCM. Jett looked a bit green back in 2nd and according to Mullins before the race, he wasn't entirely pleased with his last bit of work in training so good performance. I liked the Gigginstown 2nd string yesterday as well, Tombstone. That's a few nice bumper winners they've had this season.

Mahler Lad who beat Bellshill and Bordini in their Point To Point makes his racecourse debut tomorrow in the 4.00 Bangor ...

Thought Tombstone was impressive at Naas yesterday but iirc Giggingstown don't run their horses in the Cheltenham bumper.

Saw that was running mate. Only thing that would put me off is the trainer. I think he's pretty hopeless!

Haha glad I'm not alone in thinking that CCM, kind of takes the shine off it! Will be watching with interest though!

Mahler Lad out today in Newcastle against a newcomer High Bridge (John Ferguson A P McCoy).

Shocker Mahler Lad another MCCain waste of money!

Has McCain appointed Brendan Rogers as bloodstock agent ?

Tim Leslie must be fast losing patience with Crinkle Cut.

Must have money to burn,wouldnt like to see owners loss at end of season,given amount of money they pay.He surely must start sending/buying horses to another trainer!

2014	Silver Concorde	6	16-Jan	1 ½L	3.43.40	Good	03/02/2001	140	Dermot Weld	Robbie McNamara
2013	Briar Hill	5	25-Jan	7L	3.54.70	Good/Soft	1	141	Willie Mullins	Ruby Walsh
2012	Champagne Fever	5	16-Jan	1 1/4L	3.47.50	Good	21	142	Willie Mullins	Patrick Mullins
2011	Cheltenian	5	14-Jan	5L	3.51.85	Good	21	138	Philip Hobbs	Richard Johnson
2010	Cue Card	4	40/1	8L	3.48.70	Good	1	138	Colin Tizzard	Joe Tizzard
2009	Dunguib	6	09-Feb	10L	3.56.90	Good/Soft	02-Nov	151	Philip Fenton	Brian O'Connell
2008	Cousin Vinny	5	12-Jan	3 1/4L	4.01.30	Good/Soft	1	138	Willie Mullins	Paddy Mullins
2007	Cork All Star	5	1½	1 3/4L	3.47.90	Good/Soft	111	138	Jessica Harrington	Barry Geraghty
2006	Hairy Molly	6	33/1	Head	3.46.70	Good	2131	133	Joe Crowley	Paul Carberry
2005	Missed That	6	7/2F	Neck	3.52.70	Good	0-11	136	Willie Mullins	Ruby Walsh
2004	Total Enjoyment	5	07-Jan	2L	3.48.30	Good	03-Nov	135	Tom Cooper	Jim Culloty
2003	Liberman	5	2/1F	½L	3.52.30	Good	21-Dec	142	Martin Pipe	Tony McCoy
2002	Pizarro	5	14-Jan	Neck	4.00.70	Good/Soft	01-Jan	152	Edward O'Grady	Jamie Spencer
2001	No Race
2000	Joe Cullen	5	14-Jan	3 ½L	3.41.20	Good	1	149	Willie Mullins	Charlie Swan
1999	Monsignor	5	50/1	1 ½L	3.54.70	Good/Soft	134	138	Mark Pitman	Brendan Powell
1998	Alexander Banquet	5	09-Jan	2 ½L	3.45.40	Good	1	142	Willie Mullins	Ruby Walsh
1997	Florida Pearl	5	06-Jan	5L	3.45.10	Good/Firm	1	136	Willie Mullins	Richard Dunwoody
1996	Wither Or Which	5	1½	2L	3.53.50	Good/Soft	1	138	Willie Mullins	Willie Mullins
1995	Dato Star	4	07-Feb	1 3/4L	4.02.20	Soft	11	123	Malcolm Jefferson	Mark Dwyer
1994	Mucklemeg	6	7/2F	3L	3.53.70	Good/Soft	35-1	139	Edward O'Grady	Charlie Swan
1993	Rhythm Section	4	16-Jan	½L	3.45.10	Good/Firm	21	131	Homer Scott	Paul Carberry
1992	Montelado	5	08-Jan	12L	3.58.40	Good	11	144	Pat Flynn	Richard Dunwoody

WILL WE SEE 2015 Winner this evening ?

High Bridge ?

General Principle confirmed by Elliott as going to Cheltenham in todays Weekender Stable Tour. This fella looked the real deal at Punchestown the other weekend drawing 20L clear of one of Mullins who apparently they thought quite a bit of.
20/1 looks value now he's confirmed, kicking myself as 33s with 365 was available a couple of days ago...

Pylonthepressure the one to beat?

Thanks for the heads up Rathgorman82.

Elliot and Giggingstown have a plethora of really nice looking bumper horses so if they are prepared to allow this one to run at Cheltenham, against their previous policy, then I think the hint has to be taken. Can see him going off well into single figures if he does. Same sire as Holywell and Johns Spirit so better ground shouldn't be an issue. Sire is an unraced full brother to Montjeu.

General Principle at 20/1 (max bet) - bound to be a non runner now.

Giggi have had 8 entered in the bumper so far so may not be as much as a hint as first thought.

Obvious bet if they're letting just the one go though.

Up For Review

Elliott also said that Tombstone misses Cheltenham in favour of Punchestown/Fairyhouse.

Good luck with this race lads........stick a pin in the paper just before the race is way im going!!

Agree almost Budd throw score at something,rather double up on race with form you can tie in.
Race is totally pure guessing.

Budd/Stevo, you could say the same about half a dozen other races at Cheltenham :)

There's a good few winners on the above list that stood out or were there to be backed. Add in some good info from the Irish pointing scene and you stand half a chance.
The hard bit is knowing who is definitely going - particularly from Mullins battalions. At least with General P, Elliott has pinned his coulours to the mast and his talent is there for all to see.

If you're unsure, surely Moon Racer is the one - excellent C&D win earlier in the season and likely to be the best of the Brits. Very tough to back the Irish runners as you might not even be on the best one in the yard...

Be unfair if Bay of Freedom didn't get a mention for Katie Walsh's mount on this thread

anybody got a link to Elliot saying his giggi beast goes?

In the Weekender print version. £2.90 from all good Newsagents :)

After the race Elliots assistant said General Principle was unlikely to go:

Elliott's assistant trainer Olly Murphy stated "he's a lovely horse and obviously has a big future.

"We haven't had him very long and he may have one more run in a bumper as we wouldn't want to lose his novice status this season. I wouldn't imagine he'd go to Cheltenham."

Hope Elliots comments in the Weekender are genuine.

Unclepuncle - Elliott was also interviewed shown on ATR last Friday night (along with WPM feature) and he said "if I get my way he'll be going".

Rathgorman82
13 Feb 15 11:37

Unclepuncle - Elliott was also interviewed shown on ATR last Friday night (along with WPM feature) and he said "if I get my way he'll be going".



That's still a big 'if' - if Giggingstown don't relent on their policy of not running bumper horses at Cheltenham I'll have done my dough.

I'll be expecting a full refund from you for the 'bum steer' if he doesn't show up.

Up For Review has long been considered the best Bumper horse in Mullins yard - long term he's a monster but whether 2m on quickish ground on an undulating track will play to his strengths is open to question.

UncleP - the ATR interview was at least 5 days before the weekender piece, plenty time there for them to have given the green light

au quortz very uneasy on here. alarming.

Henry de Bromhead is looking forward to running his new arrival Supasundae in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.
The County Waterford trainer reports the five-year-old to have settled in really well since being purchased by his main owners Ann and Alan Potts out of Andrew Balding's stable.

Supasundae had just one run for the Kingsclere handler, landing a bumper at Ascot in December having won his only other start at Wetherby last March when handled by Tim Fitzgerald.

"He's lovely and we're really delighted with him. We got him early in the new year," said De Bromhead.

"Hopefully he'll go for the bumper in Cheltenham. He'll go straight there now."

Supasundae is generally available at 12-1 for the Bumper on March 11th

Up for Review can also be backed at 14.5 on here. AQT does look especially weak. Prices on the Mullins Gigginstown horses suggest they will miss the gig.

Confidence for Moon Racer from the Pipe camp in todays Weekender stable tour.

Mullins has 7 entered at Naas on sunday including Bordini,Up For Review and Au Quart De Tour,be interesting to see who he runs there.

Mullins "Bumper horses: I see Au Quart De Tour is the favourite but he’s a little bit sick at the moment. To me Bordini has it all, but we’ll run as many as we can get in. Au Quart De Tour has been very good, Balko Des Flos has been good, Stone Hard has been very good. Pylonthepressure is the one who has taken us by surprise. I was going to run Up For Review at Naas and Pylonthepressure at Leopardstown but Pylonthepressure did an amazing piece of work and I switched them. To me Bordini has put in the easiest performance but that performance of Pylonthepressure at Naas was extraordinary – he ran away from a decent field".

Catch Me ifyoucan  • January 5, 2015 2:13 PM GMT 
Boys,
Patrick Mullins said in an interview with Gary on ATR (while walking back to weight in, immediately after Bordini had just won the Listed Navan bumper) that he thought 'this lad and TYCOON PRINCE were the two best he'd seen so far'.

Tycoon Prince headed PWM twice - on Rio Treasure in Galway & on Royal Caviar in F/hse - BUT..."he's a proper, big horse, and a chaser in the making. I'm not sure if he'll run again this season and I'll have to talk to the owners; but we'll mind him".  Gordon Elliott, trainer. One to watch any which ways.

Ekbalco  • February 15, 2015 8:01 PM GMT 
Up For Review has long been considered the best Bumper horse in Mullins yard - long term he's a monster but whether 2m on quickish ground on an undulating track will play to his strengths is open to question.


Topped up again on Bordini (Listed Navan bumper) but good viewing today in Naas

looking forward to seeing up for review today...it seems every race he has been in, has worked out quite nicely...he doesn't seem flashy but i like the way he moves and has come on from every run he has run in...difficult test today in a match race against the 133 rpr rated tycoon prince will tell us how good he is but can still see him running at cheltenham whatever happens with the owner not having that much ammunition to go to chelt with...good match race in prospect today

Has there ever been a two horse bumper - bizarre.

the form of MOON RACER looks very good indeed

Nice boost for General Principle with Tycoon Prince beating one of Willies good uns. When Elliott speaks, it pays to listen

MOON RACER won a 49k bumper race on April 20th '14 by 7 lengths , the 3rd and 4th won next time out .

The 4th( tycoon prince) has gone on to win its next 2 outings  and as said above beat a WM horse , UP FOR REVIEW (lto winner , 5th franked form  )easily .

MOON RACER around 11-1 currently .

I'm already on the two mentioned, Moon Racer and General Principal at 14's and 20's and very happy with that.

46 entries

For once I've actually tried to have a proper look through this race rather than closing my eyes and pointing at one on the race card.

One that jumps out for me is Wait for Me from Philip Hobbs.  He's only ever had one run, but if you watch his race at Ascot it'd be hard not to be impressed with how powerfully he travelled and quickened away with the minimum of fuss, against a field that had lots of previous winners in it.

Looks a really nice prospect, so 12/1 nrnb will do for me.

Just pass on a strong word in Ireland for Jetstream Jack

I haven't had chance to post all the comments from the Bangor preview on Wednesday night, but Donald McCain was there and said he had phoned Gordon Elliott before he arrived as he always gave him a winner, and he said Jetstream Jack.

Interesting that, I was hoping Elliot would send General Principle over

Me too bluebird.

I don't understand why Supasundae is not getting more of a mention for this .... annihilated a good field at Ascot and he's bred for races like the Epsom Derby. Apparently he's a huge horse too.

You've probably answered your own question when quoting his size. Big chasing types with the odd exception generally don't do well in this.

Timeform Jim is all over him SYT

Yeah McGrath put his charity bet on him at the Waterford preview night and Johnny Burke was sweet on him on the Irish Furlong Podcast.

He's big MW but you'd couldn't say he's a chaser. Sired by Galileo, the dam is half sister to Nathaniel & Great Heavens - the dam of both those from my little knowledge of breeding is probably one of the best broodmares worldwide.

I know the Old Course is one long turn with lots of ups and downs which doesn't typically suit a big horse especially in a rough race like the Bumper but he is bred to be running at somewhere like Epsom.

PYLONTHEPRESSURE for me, probably will go there with top-rated form, unbeaten and stays and travels well.  Also his trainer has twice been very complimentary post-race, which only happens when he knows he has a big race horse.

Agree with wellchief.

I was quite taken with the way Wait For Me ran on when winning a good bumper at Ascot. Hobbs has a decent record in this too.

Plyonthepressure the most eyecatching of Willie's horses in my opinion. He bet Space Cadet very easily at Naas and I'd say Space Cadet is a good horse. Not sure that Hobbs has a great record in the race ... not sure any English trainer has a great record ! Cheltenian aside, who else has he had?

I'd be very surprised if Elliott seriously thought that Jetstream Jack was his best chance in this race. McCain is having a shocking season and now it seems that Elliott is putting him away.

Moon Racer should be fav imo. As mentioned above his Fairyhouse win is working out very well, with the 2nd winning today giving the form another small boost.

At Cheltenham he looked even better, beating a good horse by 12l showing a fine turn of foot from the front... Connections wanted to go the supreme route with him this season and think he will kick clear up the hill from this lot. 10/1 great bet

The BHA top rated horse has a very good record in this

Little form boost for Jetstream Jack today.

Even allowing for going NRNB, PP have made a big move in shortening General Principle to 10/1. Fingers crossed.

Everything crossed for the General. Paddy Must be ITK as you could back him at 16s NRNB with other firms.
Had him in a nice few multiples too, EW double with Champagne James for the nov hcap the most ambitious. Elliott treble - Hostile Fire, General and The Don to round things off

That last one sounds a particularly nice treble mate.... best of luck!

Good luck, rath - hope you're on the right bumper horse. they fancy the legs off their other one.

Cheers Delsie, the odds suggest there's not much in it, GP shades it on here.

Bellshill ive taken some big prices on this one to me improvement a good possibility based on last run against Vigil no reason that form couldnt be reversed tooo big to let go

Just back from the course
Hope we all followed Zealots ADVISE

Took the 12-1

Big hoss-definetley a chaser

I lumped on Supasundae .... I was really impressed by him at Ascot ... he looked to be going oh so well turning in but did he become a bit unbalanced in the straight? He's a big horse seemingly so possibly a big effort required to lug himself up the hill. I was disappointed with how he found nothing when asked after travelling the best.

lucky

ok youve had your moment in the sun.

ha ha

i kept an eye out for moons racer all winter as he was stupendous in october.

if u knew he was going in bumper 12-1 ish was massive  , same if you knew don poli RSA @5-1  a month ago !!


printing money from a trading point of view !

amazes me how some shorten at G1 level poli 7-2 to 13-8

in its race last year - there were 2 for big money 10 mns before race - poli n crapper

1st n 2nd