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17:30 Cheltenham
Wednesday 14 March 2018
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Grade 1)
- 4YO to 6YO | Class 1 | 2m 87y | Soft (Heavy in places) | 23 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 4m 4.1s
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Impressive point-to-point winner on good ground in March 2017 and winner of both of his bumper starts to date. Most recent of those came in a Grade 2 contest on soft ground at Leopardstown last month and he looks likely to put in a bold show.
Point-to-point winner at the second time of asking in the spring of 2017. Successful in both bumper starts including over 2m4f on soft ground at Leopardstown in December. Has since won at Naas and represents a leading stable.
Winner of both his bumper starts to date, most recently over an extended 2m here on soft ground in a Listed contest in November. Form of that contest could be working out better however and likely more needed if he's to maintain his unbeaten record.
Made a winning debut on heavy ground at Wincanton in early February. Had a previous winner back in second on that occasion but likely needs to improve if he's to figure in a competitive renewal of this contest.
Impressed when winning an AW bumper at Lingfield on his racecourse debut at the end of November and maintained his unbeaten record when successful in a Listed event at Ascot the following month. Looks likely to run well once more.
Fell on his sole point-to-point start and held fourth in both bumper starts so far. Latest of those came at Wetherby (heavy) last month and he looks likely to struggle.
Point-to-point winner on soft ground and has followed up by taking two bumpers on similarly soft surfaces. Unraced since winning at Down Royal in early November and he is one to note with forecast ground conditions in his favour.
Impressive point-to-point winner on yielding-to-soft ground in November and a winner at the first attempt under Rules when successful on soft ground at Towcester last month. Likely to have the ground to suit today and is one to note in this contest.
Made the perfect start to his career when winning a bumper on good-to-soft ground at Sandown in November. Runner-up has won twice since and he looks the pick of his trainers two representatives in this Grade 1 contest.
Winner of a 15 runner Ascot bumper on good-to-soft ground back in November. Could finish only fifth at Newbury behind Acey Milan subsequently however and looks likely to need to improve if he's to register a second victory in this sphere.
Successful once and placed twice from three starts in bumpers. Finished runner-up to today's rival Blackbow in a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown (soft) last time out and he looks likely to appreciate this stiffer test of stamina.
Winner of his sole start having taken a soft ground bumper at Musselburgh last month by 5L. Form of that particular contest is nothing special and he looks up against it here on just his second start.
Improved markedly on his second start in bumpers when winning a ten runner contest on heavy ground at Wariwck in January. Had finished fifth on debut at Exeter prior to that and is likely to find a few too good in this contest.
Maintained his unbeaten record in bumpers when winning on heavy ground over an extended 2m at Bangor last month. Previous success had come on soft ground at Warwick and it's interesting to see how he fares in this contest.
Winner of both of his bumper starts to date including on turf debut in a Huntingdon contest held on good-to-soft ground in December. Previous success came on the AW at Lingfield just over a year ago.
Placed twice in this sphere including behind Didtheyleaveuoutto on debut prior to winning over an extended 2m1f at Fontwell (good-to-soft) last time out. Handles soft ground and represents a stable with a 21% strike-rate (4/19) in recent weeks.
Justified favouritism when successful on soft ground at Fairyhouse when making his debut back in January. Runner-up has franked the form since and he is an interesting runner with a top jockey on board for a yard who do well in this race.
Fell in a point-to-point but was a winner on Rules debut on heavy ground at Fairyhouse in December. Sent off odds-on favourite but could finish only third in a Grade 2 mares contest and more is needed if she's to win this.
Unbeaten in two starts and saw off today's rival Colreevy among others when winning a soft ground mares Grade 2 event at Leopardstown early last month. Stiffer test of stamina should suit but this looks a much tougher contest.
Finished runner-up at Exeter on debut but unbeaten in three subsequent outings culminating in a Listed success on soft ground at Newbury last month. Has won here in the past and is an interesting runner with his regular jockey back on board.
Well held behind Acey Milan on heavy ground when making his debut here in January. Placed twice in ordinary bumpers since then and looks likely to struggle stepping up markedly in grade today.
Successful in a Fontwell bumper over an extended 1m5f on heavy ground when making his debut a month ago. Steps up in trip today for a stable who took this race with the top class Cue Card in 2010.
Winner of an Exeter bumper on good-to-soft ground over 1m5f when making his debut in October last year. Favourite but finished a well held fifth behind Acey Milan here subsequently and needs to put that run behind him if he's to figure today.
Non-Runners
8
Herecomestheboom82
Weight: 11-5| Age: 6
T: F O'Brien J: Alain Cawley
NR
Forecasts
Acey Milan (9/2), Blackbow (5/1), Rhinestone (5/1), Carefully Selected (6/1), Felix Desjy (8/1), Didtheyleaveuoutto (12/1), Tornado Flyer (14/1), The Big Bite (20/1), Know The Score (20/1), Relegate (25/1), Mercy Mercy Me (25/1), Crooks Peak (25/1), Seddon (33/1), Thebannerkingrebel (33/1), Herecomestheboom (33/1), Colreevy (50/1), Volcano (50/1), The Flying Sofa (66/1), Jaytrack Parkhomes (80/1), Dashel Drasher (100/1), Arch My Boy (100/1), Stoney Mountain (100/1), Nestor Park (100/1), Doc Penfro (200/1)
Trainer Anthony Honeyball saddled the runner-up in this race in 2012 and ACEY MILAN may be able to go one better for the trainer in this year's renewal. The selection has won his last two races in Listed company and is more experienced than most in here. He can get the better of Blackbow who appears to be the first-string for leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins. Gordon Elliott regularly dominates in bumpers in Ireland and his Felix Desjy, unbeaten in three starts including a point-to-point can finish third on this occasion while Know The Score can finish best of the remainder with today's forecast soft underfoot conditions likely to suit David Pipe's charge.
- Acey Milan
- Blackbow
- Felix Desjy
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £44,362.002nd: £16,995.003rd: £8,438.004th: £4,065.005th: £2,010.006th: £1,005.00
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