The Bumper

think it closes generally b4 RP TROPHY DAY but not sure

Mister W don't be rude, I'm unfamiliar with the entries regarding the bumper that's why I asked. I clicked on the entries for fulham road in the racing post and I found him one of 23 possible entries for the Cheltenham bumper. I asked a simple question if you like to answer in that manner. F.o

Yeah with quite a lot of the Big Race entries on the RP site they are "Possible Entries" rather than actual entries.
If you look on the betfair exchange at each particular race there is a button just below the race name and date called "Rules" and that gives you all the different entry/declaration dates etc.

many thanks nostaw

Assuming the race is oversubscribed, as I assume it always is, the BHA handicapper gives them a rating and the highest get in first.

Didn't really take to JP's ASPEN COLORADO on debut and there's not much form to go by as it was a small field in the bumper he won, however the 2nd that day WITHOUT LIMITES won very easily today at Punchestown by 12 lengths. Difficult to know what it's beat but at least it's a form boost. Time is running out, nearly all of my "ones to watch out for" haven't been seen yet and I highly doubt they will be now!

Regardless of what's been said about Augusta Kate's targets and the fact that Willie normally doesn't send mares to the bumper, I would love to see her aimed at this, I think she's something special.

Just noticed in the bumper at Ascot on Saturday. Harry Fry is sending Calling Des Blins as his only runner. Won what looks to be a rock solid flat race in France with more than franked form. The second has come out and won since, the third came out and was a length second to Clan Des Obeaux (Nicholls 2nd in the G2 Triumph trial at Chelt last month) and the fourth was Connetable who's at the head of the market in the Triumph betting after beating Peace & Co.

This bumper has typically given out some above average horses- Red Sherlock, Wait For Me, Vino Greigo and amazingly Sprinter Sacre!

Just something I've found procrastinating over a coffee at work

Its an interesting runner JB in (as you say) an often informative race. I'd be a bit concerned about a 4yo mare making the Cheltenham race though. Don't know off the top of my head how many have tried (or got in) but don't think any have won. On the plus side she would get about a stone off the older boys if good enough. She got decent mentions in the Mark Howard book but (and this is just reading between the lines) I would worry if she's been a bit backward this year, perhaps with her jumping.

Will watch on Saturday with interest however if she turns up, maybe keep an eye on the Aintree race?

article in the post today. with few clues.
 
aspen colorado going for a winners bumper at leopardstown later this month, then jp will decide about cheltenham.

gigginstown confirm they are unlikely to have a runner. 

new to this town to go straight to cheltenham. 

criq rock didn't run at newbury due to a bad scope, likely to go straight to cheltenham. 

nothing new from the w mullins yard other than time running out for invitation only.

Timely boost to the form of NEW TO THIS TOWN in the bumper at Naas today. With trainer stating it's an intended runner and form franked today the 20s still available looks more than decent in the most open and dare I say weak looking renewal in years.

Just watched both of new to this towns wins in bumpers and he tries really hard off the bridle and stays very well. But imo he will be one of the first of the bridle and likely to get him self shuffled back before staying on well late. I'm not sure if avenir dune vie gave his full running in that race either as he travelled supremely well but found nothing off the bridle or if you take it at face value then new to this town outstayed him. the smaller the field the better his chances imo. But It's usually the last one of the bridle WINNING the champion bumper rather than something hard ridden coming off the pace,
That said,  i could see him running a simular race to modus last year if he can get a route up the rail and staying on for a late place.

Avenir d'Une Vie was fixing him 7lb as well. Seemed to tell in that ground late on.

The only thing is that you'd hope New To This Town would improve for better ground being out of Milan.

*giving

Mullins & owners considering sending Augusta Kate to Cheltenham instead of Sandown according to RP

In the expectation of really decent ground I've backed Dermot Welds First Figaro @ 20/1 - plus an e/w double with Silver Concorde @ 25/1 in the Supreme

"(.4 ÌÒØÞ 

Dunno what happened there. Willie says Augusta kate is a possibility.
Battleford bacardys and very much so are likely to go for the race.
And lucky pass will not run.

Any mention of Invitation Only?!

Does anyone know if Fulham Road can qualify for Bumper from just a run in a PTP? He's still entered so guessing he'd need a run under rules to qualify?

As far as I'm aware fulham road is injured until I hear different and he diddnt mention Admiral chief or invitation only it's on rp website
AUGUSTA KATE, whose famous owners had said she was likely to run at Sandown and miss Cheltenham, could be in line for a surprise switch to the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

The mare is undefeated in two starts and as low as 7-1 for the Grade 1, but was expected to swerve the Festival in favour of a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown on March 12. This plan was recently confirmed by Graham Wylie, who owns the mare with former Newcastle United and England footballer Alan Shearer, golfer Lee Westwood and TV presenters Ant and Dec.

Mullins ran six horses in the Champion Bumper last season but it is unlikely he will have so many next month, especially as Gigginstown House Stud - owners of Avenir D'Une Vie and Lucky Pass - tend not to target the race.

Mullins said on Monday: "Augusta Kate is working nicely. We've sort of said we'd go for the Sandown race but we might rejig it and go to Cheltenham instead. She is very hard to evaluate as she does not show at home what she does on the racetrack.

"So far so good with her. We had nominated Sandown but I'd say everything is open at the moment."

Other options
Avenir D'Une Vie recorded a Racing Post Rating of 136, the best achieved in an Irish bumper this season, when bolting up at Navan on Sunday. However, Mullins said he was happy with whatever Gigginstown decide with regard to his plans.

"I don't mind if they leave him at home for Irish races. He has been showing us plenty for some time and the two times he was beaten we were disappointed really.

"Lucky Pass is not going to Cheltenham. Battleford is likely to run and Bacardys is another one. Very Much So goes. Some Neckwill probably stay at home."

Paddy Power cut Castello Sforza randomly yesterday from 20/1 into 12/1 ... news broke an hour ago that he has been purchased by JP McManus. Some pages on Twitter seem to think he's being aimed at the Champion Bumper but I can't find anything official. This one has definitely went under the radar, I've been waiting on him coming back out for ages. Mullins did previously describe him as a "bit backwards" a while ago, although also said after his debut win that the plan was Cheltenham ... interesting!

all bookmakers have cut castello sforza for the bumper this morning. 

part owner alan shearer has said that augusta kate is now likely to go to cheltenham rather than sandown.

When did Shearer say this ashleigh? If true, she's the one!

does a blog for korals.

Ahh my bad, I skipped that blog as I thought it was football related only. Cheers.

Just happened to see this myself.... still doesnt sound confiemd so think I will leave it until its 100%:

Willie Mullins is going to make the decision about our horse Augusta Kate on whether she will run in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival a week before the race. He’s confident she will give a great account of herself in the race. Hopefully we will have a day out at Cheltenham to look forward to!

My knowledge of horse racing is not great but I love the day out and the fun that comes with it. I’ve never sat on a horse and I have no desire to do so. I watched Victoria Pendleton fall off her mount last week and she is very brave. I’ve had enough broken bones during my football career and don’t want any more of that!

Couer Blimey

Gardner said: "We really don't know where we are going at this stage, but he definitely won't go to Cheltenham unless the ground is soft and even if it is, he might not go anyway.

"I'll have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do. The entry stage is March 1, so I'll see if they want to pay the entry fee or not.

"The Champion Bumper is certainly not the be all and end all. We have a very nice young horse and the last thing we want to do is ruin him.

"Even if they call the ground good to soft at Cheltenham, you know there'll be some quicker parts. You can go there with a nice young horse, but then after running down that hill on quick ground,

in the blink of an eye you don't have a nice young horse any more.

"Unless the ground is described as soft, he won't be going."

"Without wanting to sound too clever, he ran as we expected at Ascot," said the Devon-based trainer.

"He ran a nice race at Uttoxeter, but he was a bit green and got a bit lost and we knew he was better than he showed that day.

"That's why we decided to go to Ascot with him, which is not something I would do unless I knew I had a good horse as we don't get one very often.

"He hasn't had any leg problems, but he does seem to be at his best on soft ground, so that's what we'll be sticking to.

"If we miss Cheltenham, we might be more likely to get soft ground at Punchestown.

"Whatever happens for the rest of this season, he'll be a better horse next year, I guarantee you that."

Aspen Colorado entered at the weekend. Looking like JP could have a strong hand.

Saw the mention of New To This Town. The horse might be OK but I wouldn't want to be going to Cheltenham with the same unbalanced jockey, though it looks like that will happen. Not for me.

I reckon Shearer's and Mullins' comments in recent days about Augusta Kate mean they're almost confirmed re-routing her to Cheltenham. Owners want the big day out and Mullins himself has been quoted as reconsidering Sandown, looks ominous to me and I think the 10/1 is a bet.

get yourself a cupla pints the blackstuff while the mugs get involved in this shambles of a race

a king running cric rock in the last at kempton tomorrow, will be interesting to see how he gets on giving weight all round.

Anyone heard if Hobbs has had a change of plan with Open meeting winner COPPER KAY. He had said the mares bumper at Sandown but I see today on oddschecker today she has been intriduced at 14s and not just with nrnb firms. Was visually impressive that day and in a very open year would becworth her place.

Mullins interview on ATR today:

Castillo Sforza - JP wants to go jumping (maybe depends how AC does today?)
Battleford - may have improved sufficiently to run
Bacardys - intended runner
Lucky pass - does not run
Invitation only - does not run
Fulham road - does not run
L'Avenir d'une arbor- Gigginstown call
Augusta Kate - sandown v Cheltenham still undecided


There were a few others discussed but the hangover is strong!

Aspen Colorado workmanlike at leopardstown and drifts to 10s

Regardless of giggingstowns policy.
One that deffinately won't be going is Admiral chief  he's still not entered up and the rules state that you have to have finished in the first 3 in a previous french aqps race, ptp or nhf

Bit of money for invitation only today , I can't follow this race at all

If augusta kate runs ruby will be on board as patrick can't do the weight.
Patrick looks to have the choice  between

Battleford: patrick was raving about him to matt chapman and Johnny burke

Very much so: ruby put him up to outrun his odds in the race

And bacardys who patrick earlier said after his bumper win that he was more of a hardy staying type and wasn't too enthusiastic about his chances in this race.

just been looking at the bumper not in any great depth but one horse ive came across is HIGH BRIDGE of john fergusons won easy at catterick last time but form of last 2 races been working out well,have a look at see what you lot think ,16/1 at mo.

Forget Mullins, clearly doesn't have a standout for the bumber as he is going to run around 5. English winner again, as last year P. Nicholls, Capeland.

Why because of your other thread where STD told Talk Sport it's his best chance of a winner? Think you're forgetting he can't say The New One because he's not actually officially announced who he's riding. "He keeps on improving since his last win" ... will need to improve a hell of a lot in my opinion because Ballyandy wiped the floor with the horse Capeland only beat 3 lengths. Having said that, at least he has course form and the extra couple of furlongs could be to his advantage. At 66/1 you're almost forced into it.

Take your points Mr Paterson - the bumper is all about potential and guesswork - STD is definitely riding The New One according to my contact at Twisters.

Loon cat paul nicholls twitter page, answered the question ad late as yesterday saying he dosent run.

Agree that Mullins doesn't have the winner, but not sure who does!

Not sure why STD is saying Capeland, when his Dad is so keen on Ballyandy.   Towing the line as per usual

Only 32 entered in the bumper.

NO.        HORSE                   AGE    TRAINER 
1    1121    Ballyandy32             5    Nigel Twiston-Davies
2    02-1    Coeur Blimey89             5    Sue Gardner
3    2-311    High Bridge92             5    John Ferguson
4    11    Aspen Colorado17     4    A P O´Brien
5    FF-11    Westend Story31     5    Philip Hobbs
6    2-212    First Figaro78             6    D K Weld
7    11    Augusta Kate115     5    W P Mullins
8    F1-1    Bacardys81             5    W P Mullins
9    6-115    Criq Rock18             5    Alan King
10    11    New To This Town55     5    Mrs John Harrington
11    1-    Castello Sforza346     5    W P Mullins
12    1-    Very Much So687     6    W P Mullins
13    F-1    Battleford45             5    W P Mullins
14    12    Jam Session            4    Ian Williams
15    3/1-    Turcagua466             6    W P Mullins
16        ANY DRAMA (IRE)            5    Harry Fry
17        AUGUSTIN (FR)            6    Willie Mullins IRE
18        AVENIR D'UNE VIE (FR)    6    Willie Mullins IRE
19        BALLYMALIN (IRE)     6    Nigel Twiston-Davies
20        BLOW BY BLOW (IRE)      5    Willie Mullins IRE
21        COMPADRE (IRE)             5    Jonjo O'Neill
22        DRUID'S FOLLY (IRE)     6    Rebecca Curtis
23        GEORDIE DES CHAMPS      5    Rebecca Curtis
24        GOOD THYNE TARA     6    Willie Mullins IRE
25        JOT'EM DOWN (IRE)    5    David Bridgwater
26        KING UTHER              6    Chris Gordon
27        ONTHEWESTERNFRONT    6    Jonjo O'Neill
28        PRIDE OF LECALE     5    Fergal O'Brien
29        RATHER BE (IRE)     5    Nicky Henderson
30        SPIRIT OF KAYF      5    Sandy Thomson
31        UTILITY (GER)             5    Jonjo O'Neill
32        WINSOME BUCKS            6    Tom Hogan IRE

I think that Augusta Kate looks very interesting indeed. The stable thought she was pretty moderate and were not expecting too much when she made her first appearance. Then she absolutely hacked up. It was a shock as she shows nothing at all at home. Mullins had her down as a possible winner of a summer maiden bumper!

Then she went into a much tougher race and again did a most passable impersonation of an utterly top class mare; slaughtering a load of previous winners with some ease.

7/1 with a run with B365 looks pretty decent value. She is certainly very good and could still be anything.

Lots of people seem to be looking for monsters under the bed ... but tough sort Ballyandy has it all in the book... he'll do for me out of that sorry bunch below.

Remember Augusta Kate is as you point out a mare, and she's only run in mares races to date. This will be an altogether different experience for her, and looking back through the years its fairly rare for mares to even turn up for this race.

As posted above, I 100% agree with Ming

New To This Town has been bought by Alan and Ann Potts and is 99 per cent certain to show up in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

They bought Supasundae before the bumper last year, so don't mind running horses in it.

Hopefully New To This Town will be less headstrong than Supasundae was last year

@ WHOKNOWSTHEBOWLER Capeland being kept for next season according to Paul Nicholls in his Betfair Q&A Session tonight on Twitter.

if Augusta Kate runs she wins but just worried she might go to Sandown instead. Still favourite on here but not even mentioned in betting in racing post today. Anyone know more?

I know she doesn't show much at home, but I can't help but be put off that this wasn't her intended target for most of the winter. I find it hard to believe Mullins had the bumper winner in his yard but didn't really think about running her in it until a couple of weeks ago.

Has a mare ever won the Bumper ? I can't recall a mare winning since the race was introduced.

Total Enjoyment won back in 2004...beat another mare in Refinement

probably wasn't one of the the better Champion Bumpers

Tom coopers horse was a mare a few year ago am sure someone Will remember the name

and the the form that Total Enjoyment had against her name going into the race was that she'd already beaten the boys a couple of times.
Augusta Kate has only taken part in mares bumpers.

Heard that Augusta Kate has been confirmed.

anyone know if 4 year olds have a good record with weight allowance in this race ?

Jam Session 2nd to capeland here in listed bumper on new years day

have just watched race and was on the bridle till closing stages when wandered going up the hill

trainer ian williams said in racing post on 29th feb " He'll appreciate better ground and is as good a prospect as I've ever had "

had a few bob each way @ 40/1 with b etfred and c orals

Hi please if you go to Gaultstats 2016 all the info is there you require.

Jam Session 2nd to capeland here in listed bumper on new years day

have just watched race and was on the bridle till closing stages when wandered going up the hill

That was over 1m6f. There are an extra 2 furlongs here.

Aspen colerado will not run in the champion bumper.

Augusta Kate entered for the Listed Mares bumper at Sandown on Saturday so they're clearly keeping that option open for the time being at least.

There's no question this race lacks the depth of previous years' races.

Ballyandy would appear to be the best of the British trained entries and I've narrowed the Irish entries down to Castello Sforza (would be an impressive training performance to win after a near year long absence), Battleford and New To This Town.

Augusta Kate will sidestep an engagement at Sandown on Saturday and instead take on the boys in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

A daughter of the mighty **** and out of Grade One-winning hurdler Feathard Lady, Augusta Kate has made a huge impression in winning her two starts to date at Listowel and Navan.

The five-year-old carries the colours of the Masters Syndicate, a group of celebrity owners that includes Ant and Dec, Alan Shearer and Lee Westwood.

The syndicate is headed by owner Graham Wylie, who confirmed Willie Mullins has agreed to let her line up at Grade One level next Wednesday.

Wylie told Press Association Sport that Westwood would definitely be in attendance at Cheltenham, but that Ant and Dec would not be present.

Shearer is hoping to make the trip if work commitments allow.

He said in his Coral blog: "We are all very excited.

"There's one stumbling block, though. I've just found out that if Chelsea and Everton draw in the FA Cup this weekend, the replay will be on that Wednesday and will scupper my plans as I will be part of the BBC team covering the replay.

"The game is live this Saturday and it's a game I'm doing so I will be praying for a positive result.

"I'd be gutted to miss Cheltenham."

Jockey plans for Augusta Kate have not yet been firmed up, but the trainer's son Patrick is not expected to take the mount as he is unlikely to be able to do the weight, with her mares' allowance meaning she will carry 10st 12lb

From sportinglife.com

Augusta Kate will sidestep an engagement at Sandown on Saturday and instead take on the boys in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Wylie told Press Association Sport that Westwood would definitely be in attendance at Cheltenham, but that Ant and Dec would not be present.

Shearer is hoping to make the trip if work commitments allow.

He said in his Coral blog: "We are all very excited.

"There's one stumbling block, though. I've just found out that if Chelsea and Everton draw in the FA Cup this weekend, the replay will be on that Wednesday and will scupper my plans as I will be part of the BBC team covering the replay.

"The game is live this Saturday and it's a game I'm doing so I will be praying for a positive result.

"I'd be gutted to miss Cheltenham."

Jockey plans for Augusta Kate have not yet been firmed up, but the trainer's son Patrick is not expected to take the mount as he is unlikely to be able to do the weight, with her mares' allowance meaning she will carry 10st 12lb.

Beat me to it Scooby

Haha. Only just.
Expect ruby will be on board.
If avenir dune vie is aloud to run, (I'd have thought he will be after keeping him entered) I would have thought patrick will ride it.

Willie has a huge hand in this, and I expect he will win it.

gutted about Ant and Dec

NEVER NEW YOU CARED REASEL

Mar 9, 2016 -- 4:41PM, DECALEC wrote:

NEVER NEW YOU CARED REASEL

First Figaro has an interesting jockey booking,quiet pleased with that.

Ballyandy is my main fancy, him and FF against the field for me.

yeah welds hoss is the only one that interests me

Big player imo alleged, as long as its decent ground.

No mention of Battleford in mullins four page stable tour in Weekender today.....keeping it under his hat ?

I'm big on battleford.

The PTP form with lucky pass (albeit he fell) stacks up better than FF and most of the Irish horses.  I can't have Augusta Kate any more than a celebs day out!

I think twisters and Harrington horses are decent yardsticks but think it'll cut up plenty before Wednesday...

Battleford to me looks like the "Mr Wylie wants a runner in the bumper" horse rather than a massive plot.

Westend Story from the Hobbs yard looks the value for me at 16/1. Great looking thing and a future chaser. It hasn't beaten much but loved the way it tanked its way thru its Two bumpers.

I'm in the Castello Sforza camp, will be happy if P W Mullins picks this. Can't be ideal for the Weld horse to be carrying approx 2 stone of lead to make up the difference with Pat Smullen in the plate.

Big form boost for ballyandy today from the second in ebf final off top weight.

Pg25 - Colin's Sister ran well in the EBF Mares bumper and her performance also boosts the Ballyandy formline through Aurillac who beat Colin's Sister in October before getting beaten by Ballyandy in November.

What  a kick in the ******* Invitation only absolutely bolts up at naas

Yep gutted watching that myself scoob as had a few quid on for Chelts. Not sure he beat much but still a boost for Battleford.

2 posters watching Navan being run at Naas

Gigginstown don't want to run horses in the Bumper they say....

I'd say this is going to run a proper race.

Anyone know why the jockey change with First Figaro?

Coeur Blimey... the new Cue Card . Unheralded yard , won last time out beating the standout favourite in that and this race, unexposed and price reflects a jockey that you wouldn't put your mortgage on . A lot of decent bets at antepost prices on this and the yard can not see it out of the frame .G/L all.

Ground gone against him Ming?

Couer Blimey

Gardner said: "We really don't know where we are going at this stage, but he definitely won't go to Cheltenham unless the ground is soft and even if it is, he might not go anyway.

"I'll have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do. The entry stage is March 1, so I'll see if they want to pay the entry fee or not.

"The Champion Bumper is certainly not the be all and end all. We have a very nice young horse and the last thing we want to do is ruin him.

"Even if they call the ground good to soft at Cheltenham, you know there'll be some quicker parts. You can go there with a nice young horse, but then after running down that hill on quick ground,

in the blink of an eye you don't have a nice young horse any more.

"Unless the ground is described as soft, he won't be going."

"Without wanting to sound too clever, he ran as we expected at Ascot," said the Devon-based trainer.

"He ran a nice race at Uttoxeter, but he was a bit green and got a bit lost and we knew he was better than he showed that day.

"That's why we decided to go to Ascot with him, which is not something I would do unless I knew I had a good horse as we don't get one very often.

"He hasn't had any leg problems, but he does seem to be at his best on soft ground, so that's what we'll be sticking to.

"If we miss Cheltenham, we might be more likely to get soft ground at Punchestown.

Augusta kate

I was at Sandown when the dam of Augusta kate last ran.
A friend of ours knew colm murphy the trainer so we went over and had a chat he told us that his mare feathard lady wont get beat and is a very special mare, a modern day equivalent of annie power !

He said that she was bone idle and not a looker but she had something very special when she went to the races.
Fast forward Augusta Kate the daughter of feathard lady is a carbon copy of her with the mares allowance she will take some stopping

Temple - I know ground not ideal but stable still believe he has improved enough to still be there or thereabouts .

Battleford ran very well and I was hoping I was up at the line but he put in a great effort and battled all the way. Well done bally Andy backers

No words of thanks for shortlisting 4 horses and giving you the first, second and fourth placed runners?

I was about 10 foot infront of the finishing post, was sure Battleford got up for it! If it 2m 90yards I'd have had a nice wedge to go home with too, great race though

Wasn't too pleased with the First Figaro ride by saw last night Davy lost an iron so cant be too disappointed

Gutted is not the word - Really thought we were cleaning up on Battleford there...

Certainly means Lucky Pass as a horse to follow...