Antepost: Champion Bumper Preview

The Champion Bumper, for a second year running, is lacking a bit of depth. There isn't a stand out horse this year like there has been in recent years with Facile Vega, Sir Gerhard/Kilcruit and Appreciate It for instance. I suppose A Dream To Share was a standout last year having won at the DRF, however plenty wanted to take him on in the run up and he delivered at a fair price. This will be a different preview to the other antepost previews, as there aren't any entries out - so I'm unable to preview 80% of the runners in the betting. Apologies if I haven't mentioned anything that stands out bar a handful.

5:30 Cheltenham - 2m1/2f - Champion Bumper - Wednesday 13th March 2024

Jalon D'oudaries heads the market currently at 11/2, and he looks a solid enough bet at the moment given his profile. A winner of his only point to point, he has won 2 bumpers this year well fairly impressively and is highly rated by his trainer Gordon Elliott. His beating of Redemption Day at Christmas looks solid, and that race at Leopardstown has depth with the 3rd (Switch From Diesel) running well in the mares bumper at the DRF finishing 2nd. He looks a solid enough favourite at this stage given the lack of depth. Gordon Elliott also has Romeo Coolio, where it's well documented that he works well at home. He wasn't overly impressive in his bumper win last month but the Elliott stable were under a cloud of bad form around then with some illness around the yard which may explain his under-par performance. It's also well documented that he had suffered a setback pre-Christmas and missed a few weeks worth of work. He's entitled to come on from that run going forwards. Both horses look set to run well and the favourite looks a solid enough 11/2.

Moving onto Willie Mullins, and he is of course set to be represented heavily in this race, and holds a couple of one time bumper winners at the top of the market. Jasmin De Vaux was impressive at Naas, and is probably readily bred for middle distances (out of Tirwanako). He might be a speedier type off his breeding compared to some well bred 3 mile chasers. He doesn't represent value right now off only one run, and neither does the mare Maughreen. She looks well above average no doubt , however she looks very green and unfurnished, and might be kept to mares only bumpers with Sandown and Aintree suggested. Related to the legendary Faugheen, one of my favourite ever horses, I hope she's a good one for the future.

Looking further down the list, I think Willie Mullins has a solid horse at a decent double digit price who ran an eye catching race at the Dublin Racing Festival and looks like the right profile for this race. YOU OUGHTA KNOW has followed the Dream to Share route this year having won 2 summer bumpers before a tilt at the DRF. Despite not winning last week, he ran a solid race after a 6 month break against race fit rivals on soft ground. That should put him spot on for March, and he's entitled to come on hugely from that run. A 11 length winner of a bumper against the talented Croke Park in the summer, he looks blessed with a bit of speed and stamina, and a bit of nicer ground would help his cause in March. I think he's a proper bet assuming he gets to Prestbury Park, and given the openness of the bumper in general - it also won't be a huge negative if Patrick Mullins isn't on board given the fact that all these youngsters are unknown in their ability. 14/1 looks a bit of value, however you can take the 11/1 which is non-runner-no-bet just incase he doesn't turn up especially given the DRF bumper winner was ruled out only days after the win and it gives you some insurance.

Willie also has a horse running this weekend in Cantico, who should win his bumper and stake his claims for March. Whilst he also has Baby Kate, a winner at the November meeting too. There are plenty of other horses who'll be entered that are unknown quantities, however my current choice at this time would be You Oughta Know as an each way bet with his owner confirming he will be on the boat if he's 100%.

Bumper Fact: It's also worth noting that in the last 10 years, every winner of this race has had at least 2+ runs in bumpers which would be a negative for horses such as Jasmin De Vaux and Maughreen.

Bets:

You Oughta Know - 1.5pts ew @ 11/1 (Bet365 NRNB)

Already Advised

Fastorslow - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Gold Cup (Advised 05/02/204)

El Fabiolo - 2pts win @ Evens - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Captain Guinness - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Stay Away Fay - 1pt win @ 5/1 (NRNB) - Brown Advisory (Advised 22/01/2024)

Monty's Star - 0.5pts ew @ 16/1 - Brown Advisory (22/01/2024)

Irish Point - 1pt win @ 6/1 - Stayers Hurdle (Advised 15/01/2024)

Ashroe Diamond - 1.25pts ew @ 7/1 - Mares Hurdle (Advised 10/01/2024)

Appreciate It - 1pt ew @ 14/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)

Banbridge - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)