Champion Bumper
The Champion Bumper concludes the action on a thrilling second day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival. It is a Grade One National Hunt flat race, otherwise known as a “bumper”. It is run over an approximate distance of 2 miles and 100 yards for horses between the ages of four and six.
The race is considered the most prestigious bumper of the National Hunt season and can often highlight stars of the future. It must be stated, however, that some trainers aren’t huge admirers of the race feeling it can be a very demanding task on young horses. That doesn’t detract from some very classy types winning the event. The 2010 Champion Bumper winner Cue Card has shown a high level of form since the race. Second behind Cue Card that day was Al Ferof, who, as already highlighted, went on to win the 2011 Supreme. Last year’s Champion Bumper winner was the Philip Hobbs trained Cheltenian. Sadly we haven’t seen him this season but the form of that bumper has proved to be reasonably useful this season.
Bumping To Success in 2012
The market leader for this year’s Champion Bumper was Don Cossack. The Gordon Elliott trained gelding put in one of the most visually impressive displays of the season when scoring at Navan. He was over 1/2 a furlong behind the leader who pushed on early but Don Cossack flew home to claim victory. He is owned by the Gigginstown operation who have stated that he will not race in the bumper. He remains a horse of huge potential with whatever route he takes.
The market represents a wide open race as things stand with no horse close to be single-digit odds. With many of the contenders having only had one run, or in some cases no runs yet it’s a very hard race to decipher at the moment. Many of the likely contenders have been responsible for eye-catching victories but with no sustainable form it’s a hard task trying to work out just how good they are.
In terms of ante post betting at Cheltenham, I would not put anybody off backing a horse they have been impressed with. That’s what appeals to me as part of the fun of the Champion Bumper. There is such a large element of the unknown it adds further excitement to the process of trying to pick out the winner.
How Did the 2011 Bumper Work out
Cheltenian won the race with a strong finish after sitting comfortably in the pack before beginning his charge approaching the stretch to the line. Sadly we’ve not seen him this season but there’s been some useful form to come from the other contenders. Second that day, Destroyer Deployed was second on his hurdling debut behind the useful All The Aces. Fifth place at Cheltenham Cinders And Ashes has won two novice chases this season for trainer Donald McCain Jr. The form shows that whilst some trainers may not enter their star turns it is still a race that can produce some high quality sorts. This year’s Champion Bumper will hopefully provide some more future stars.
