17.30
SoftWeatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £45560
- 2m 0f 87y
- Class 1
- 19 runners
Runners: 19 runners
Type: NH Flat
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
5/1 (Won)
- Win: £5.50
- Place: £2.30
Form: 1
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 192y |
11st 10lb |
towards rear |
5/4 |
|
1st 6 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 192y |
11st 10lb |
towards rear |
5/4 |
|
1st 9 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Won last year's Champion Bumper but hasn't looked a natural over hurdles, even when winning his 2m maiden that's worked out really well; comfortably beaten in 2m4f/2m6f Grade 1s the last twice, though he was boxing on in the latest (in first-time cheekpieces which are now discarded) and this longer trip could put a spring in his step should his jumping pass the test; dangerous to dismiss with Paul Townend back aboard; his standout form is on soft ground. |
10/1 |
10/1
- Place: £5.00
Form: 1 D
Last run: 60 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Champion Bumper second and Supreme third at last two Cheltenham Festivals; 4-4 over fences, winning three Grade 1s, but raced lazily in Irish Arkle (2m1f, soft) last time which has brought about this hike in trip; possibly the most talented horse in the race, but the trip is a real unknown and the fitting of a hood suggests even his connections have their doubts. |
9/4 |
|
1st 2 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 1f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Course Grade 1 novice hurdle winner last season and better in defeat when placed at Cheltenham and Aintree; bright start over fences at Down Royal and beat three-time chase winner Gold Dancer in the 2m4f Drinmore at Fairyhouse; backed that up with a game C&D display win at Christmas; ideally needs further but also capable of high-class form at this trip; looks the part despite slight doubt about how he will handle very testing ground. |
8/15 |
7/1
- Place: £1.90
Form: 11 D
Last run: 75 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 140y |
11st 12lb |
Point-to-point and dual bumper winner; off the mark over hurdles on penultimate start when making all for a dominant win at Naas (18.5f, sft-hvy); 3m may have stretched him when well beaten in the Albert Bartlett last time; may do better dropped back in trip; place claims. |
10/1 |
|
13th 6 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Excellent third when favourite for the 2024 Champion Bumper here; missed last season but definite signs of getting his act together over hurdles in posting an eyecatching RPR when strolling home at long odds-on in a 2m2f maiden at Naas (soft to heavy; effective on drier ground); unraced beyond an extended 2m4f but might yet prove that stamina is one of his assets; respected. |
20/1 |
|
1st 5 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 2f 101y |
11st 12lb |
Won a point and two bumpers before finishing third when favourite for the Grade 1 at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival; not seen again until chasing home subsequent Grade 1 runner-up Sortudo in a Cork maiden in November; outpointed by Frankie John at Leopardstown at Christmas; missed a Grade 1 engagement at the DRF; change of ground cited, but has won on soft-to-heavy. |
5/4 |
40/1
Form: 21 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 16 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Outran his odds when a closing fourth in last year's Champion Bumper; the form of his first two efforts in maiden hurdles were underwhelming and he offered little in a 2m6f Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival when behind Wingmen and Jasmin De Vaux. |
20/1 |
|
5th 7 |
1st Feb 2025 Soft 2m 6f 53y |
11st 10lb |
prominent, lost position and dropped to midfield before 2 out, kept on approaching last |
6/1 |
|
5th 7 |
1st Feb 2025 Soft 2m 6f 53y |
11st 10lb |
prominent, lost position and dropped to midfield before 2 out, kept on approaching last |
6/1 |
50/1
Form: 2
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 14 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 3m 7f 68y |
10st 10lb |
Maiden hurdle win over 2m4f; 0-6 chasing this term, decent handicap debut run at Leopardstown (2m6f), most recently halfway faller in 3m5f Ulster National; others possibly better handicapped and trip remains an unknown. |
16/1 |
|
3 |
29th Mar 2026 Yielding To Soft 3m 4f 120y |
11st 6lb |
Maiden hurdle over 2m4f; 0-5 chasing this term, modest placings behind stablemates in two beginners' events; fair effort when fourth at Leopardstown in his first handicap chase; open to improvement, but stablemate Uncle Pat appears more attractively handicapped |
9/1 |
|
4th 10 |
2nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 120y |
10st 4lb |
After winning his maiden hurdle over 2m4f (Fairyhouse) he was pulled up twice; 0-4 chasing this term, modest placings behind stablemates the last twice; doesn't exactly seem thrown in on handicap chase debut (5lb higher than hurdles). |
12/1 |
10/1
Form: 11-4 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
6th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 3f 180y |
11st 12lb |
High class novice last season who was second to The New Lion in the 2m5f Grade 1 at Cheltenham; later suffered a heavy fall at Punchestown; this campaign hasn't really got off the ground and departed too far out (three from home) in the 2m5f handicap at the Festival (Storm Heart third) to know how he would have fared, though was going well enough at the time; wouldn't be a surprise to see him get his career back on track. |
5/1 |
|
1 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Four-timer as a novice last season culminated in 2m4f Grade 1 at Naas, which he followed with second over 2m5f at this meeting (gave The New Lion plenty to think about); took a heavy fall at Punchestown in May, beaten at 8-15 in November (fair second) and failed to shine in Grade 1 at Christmas (notwithstanding the near 3m trip) so he's on a recovery mission, but last season can't be forgotten yet; cheekpieces go on for this handicap debut. |
8/1 |
14/1
Form: 11 D
Last run: 38 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
1st May 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 132y |
11st 11lb |
took keen hold, in touch with leaders, pulled way into lead before halfway, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out |
11/4 |
|
4th 5 |
1st May 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 132y |
11st 11lb |
Had some of these behind when decisively winning a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in February; ran up to that level in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham; hood is left on here and has a favourite's chance. |
11/4 |
|
7th 21 |
13th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Free-going tendencies evident in both runs; pulled herself to the front 5f out in a Grade 2 for mares at Leopardown latest and yet still had the reserves to repel all her pursuers; could be more amenable to restraint in the newly fitted hood and two mares have won this in the last seven years. |
14/1 |
28/1
Form: 11 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 2m 5f 50y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Skelton runner on a losing run of nine; up and down over hurdles this season and tried chasing the once in December; latest Kempton run when behind some of these wasn't overly encouraging and his trainer now turns to cheekpieces; still couldn't put a line through him. |
11/2 |
|
9th 1 |
14th Mar 2026 Good 2m 5f 0y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Has won maiden and introductory hurdles; running well either side of one chase run and he was the only one to pose any threat to a progressive type over C&D (good to soft; Fasol fourth and held) last month; up 2lb to a career-high mark but still early days in handicaps; not far away. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Chasing was shelved after just one attempt, and he returned to hurdling with a creditable run in conditions event at Windsor last month, although finishing last of five; will have no problem with trip or ground and looks the pick of Dan Skelton's three on jockey bookings. |
6/1 |
100/1
Form: 114 D
Last run: 32 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
23rd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 110y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Two bumpers wins in late 2023 (good to soft/soft) and mid-division in the Champion Bumper later that season; then absent until December 2025, when pulled up on hurdle debut; however, he was sent off favourite and may have needed that outing; wears first-time cheekpieces; not written off. |
11/1 |
|
9th 19 |
13th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Edged home at Kelso (good to soft) and Aintree (soft) before coming up short in a Listed race won by Royal Infantry on heavy ground at Newbury; perhaps a future flagbearer for the yard but an unlikely winner of this. |
100/1 |
11/1
Form: 112 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
11st 9lb |
One of eight for trainer; made all to win 2m4f Wexford novice chase last summer but hit and miss since, best effort when a 2.75l runner-up behind Ol Man Dingle in a Cork Grade 3 novice in November; bounced back from two poor runs in big-field handicaps when second of four runners in a Limerick Grade 3 novice last time; big fields may not be his thing. |
22/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
22nd Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 150y |
11st 0lb |
Made all to win 2m4f Wexford novice' last summer but has been hit and miss since, best effort when runner-up in a Cork Grade 3 novice; poor runs in very competitive Leopardstown handicaps last twice but drop in class makes her a leading player. |
11/8 |
|
7 |
1st Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 107y |
11st 1lb |
Made all to win a Wexford beginners' in August but has been hit and miss since; runner-up in a Cork Grade 3 but was poor in the Paddy Power over 3m here last time; has to rebound. |
22/1 |
100/1
Form: 1229
Last run: 32 days
W: 10st 11lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
22nd Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 1y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Hooded when solid third over C&D (good) at the end of last year and scored at Plumpton (about 2m4f, soft) on next start in February; revised mark has seen him held in two subsequent starts but that doesn't tell the whole story as they were seriously competitive series qualifiers; cheekpieces (worn once over hurdles when second here 13 months ago) are reapplied and he needs a firm second look. |
10/1 |
|
6th 10 |
27th Mar 2026 Good 2m 5f 56y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Gained his Plumpton success (2m4f) in small field and was only midfield in a deeper race at Wincanton later in February; opposed in another competitive contest. |
25/1 |
|
7th 1 |
25th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 179y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Knocking on the door on good ground this season prior to gaining a deserved win at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) recently; 6lb higher in a more competitive race today but he did it comfortably last time and has solid claims. |
13/2 |
12/1
Form: 1 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 16 |
13th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Has a Festival scorer in the family with the dam a distant relation of Mildmay of Flete winner Young Spartacus; some feat to win his Irish point by 41l and it was again a walk in the park in his bumper at Exeter (heavy); plenty of today's opposition would have won that weak race in the same manner but he has a strikingly similar profile to Captain Teague who finished third in this last year for the same connections; his trainer, who has had horses placed in this race but never won it, describes him as a sharper type than stablemate Quebecois. |
12/1 |
|
1st 10 |
11th Feb 2024 Heavy 2m 0f 161y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Out of a fairly useful Irish chaser; joined Paul Nicholls after huge-margin win on Irish point debut in October (soft ground) and is a general 16-1 shot for next month's Cheltenham Festival bumper; fascinating to see how he fares on today's rules debut. |
8/11 |
16/1
Form: 2 BF
Last run: 53 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
5th Mar 2026 Soft To Heavy 2m 5f 110y |
10st 13lb |
Achieved a peak rating of 135 over hurdles; midfield when beaten 20l on chase debut at Fairyhouse; little impression when beaten almost 30l in fourth at Leopardstown; much improved when beating two shorter-priced stablemates at Gowran; not guaranteed to confirm the form of that race with subsequent winner Soldier In Milan. |
3/1 |
|
1st 2 |
22nd Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 0y |
11st 12lb |
Achieved a peak rating of 135 over hurdles; midfield when beaten 20l on chase debut at Fairyhouse; little impression when beaten almost 30l in fourth at Leopardstown; possibly flattered by 132 official rating; stable appears to have two stronger candidates. |
8/1 |
|
18th 19 |
1st May 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 1lb |
Represents Team Mullins but hasn't built on an encouraging start over hurdles and he didn't get home over 3m at Ayr (novice handicap), which wasn't a total surprise given his pedigree. |
16/1 |
14/1
Form: 1 D
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 104y |
11st 5lb |
Made amends for a fall on his chasing debut with wins in a beginners' event at Punchestown and Naas Grade 3 (extended 3m, heavy); struggled in the Brown Advisory and didn't land a blow (mistakes) when remote fourth in 3m5f Irish National last time; jumping still needs attention. |
20/1 |
|
8th 1 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Winner of both completed chase starts, including in slow-motion finish to Naas Grade 3 in January (extended 3m, heavy); will stay but has more to find on ratings than most and bulk of his form has come on testing ground. |
33/1 |
|
1st 2 |
25th Jan 2026 Heavy 3m 0f 125y |
11st 0lb |
Decent novice hurdler last season but came up short at Grade 1 level; faller on chase debut at Punchestown last month but landed 3m beginners there later in month albeit task made considerably easier by two high-profile fallers; sole runner for top yard so respected, but suspicion is he'll have to improve a fair bit to play a major role; goes on heavy. |
13/2 |
40/1
Form: 11 D
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
8th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 0y Class 3 |
12st 1lb |
Bled from the nose when pulled up on chase debut in December; smart novice hurdler around 2m4f last season and no doubting his ability to be very competitive off this mark if he's back on song. |
5/1 |
|
14th 9 |
1st May 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 4lb |
Won well at Carlisle and Sandown (Grade 2 on soft) in first two starts over hurdles and then third in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury and a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (both extended 2m4f); only 6-1 for his handicap debut over 3m at Aintree and departed too early to tell what might have happened; the first-time tongue-tie fitted there is retained; of interest. |
10/1 |
|
14th 9 |
1st May 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 4lb |
Won well at Carlisle and Sandown (Grade 2 on soft) in first two starts over hurdles and then third in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury and a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (both extended 2m4f); only 6-1 for his handicap debut over 3m at Aintree and departed too early to tell what might have happened; the first-time tongue-tie fitted there is retained; of interest. |
10/1 |
22/1
Form: 1 D
Last run: 91 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 3m 7f 176y Class 1 |
11st 13lb |
0-5 in this first chase campaign but pipped at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January and a close third of 22 in the Ultima at the Festival there (3m1f, good to soft) on latest outing; raised 5lb for this first attempt at a marathon trip but he's relatively unexposed and kept on stoutly in that bold show last time. |
11/1 |
|
3rd 16 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
10st 10lb |
Mixed form during this novice chase campaign but he went very close in handicap here (2m4f, soft) in January and 2m was against him back in novice company at Newbury latest; best performance over hurdles came when winning at 3m at Ayr (good to soft) last April; possible improver now back up in trip. |
9/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 0f 92y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Tongue-tie has been retained since he won a 3m handicap hurdle at last season's big April meeting at Ayr; runner-up in two of his three chases and jumped well when nosed out by the likeable Jordans Cross at Cheltenham last month (2m4f, soft); surprising to see him back at 2m but at least the ground will be testing, and he'd be giving weight to all his rivals in a handicap. |
4/7 |
14/1
Form: 1 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Front-runner who has finished first past the post in all six attempts over 2m4f (disqualified on one occasion due to a banned substance); beat Kala Conto with plenty to spare in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (soft), task simplified by the exit of the Mullins-trained Kitzbuhel. |
5/2 |
|
1st 3 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 15y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Acts on heavy ground; well beaten at the Cheltenham Festival in both Grade 1 attempts (bumper/hurdle) but faces a more realistic task in this field and remains unexposed over fences; easily beat two rivals at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last time, taking chase record to 2-2 and looking better than ever; possibilities. |
9/2 |
9/1
Form: 31 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 |
2nd May 2024 Yielding 2m 0f 94y |
12st 0lb |
Ready winner of a bumper at Navan in November; was the selection of Paul Townend at Cheltenham when cutting out completely; no surprise if he was much more competitive here |
14/1 |
|
6th 3 |
2nd May 2024 Yielding 2m 0f 94y |
12st 0lb |
Ready winner of a bumper at Navan in November; was the selection of Paul Townend at Cheltenham when cutting out completely; no surprise if he was much more competitive here |
14/1 |
|
18th 4 |
13th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
After an underwhelming bumper debut he posted a smart RPR when comfortably brushing aside four rivals on heavy ground at Navan, making all; he's clearly talented and Paul Townend prefers him to others. |
9/1 |
50/1
Form: 831 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 10st 11lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 5 (5) |
30th Apr 2025 Standard 1m 4f 14y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
A fair bumper winner but he beat just one on the back of a wind op in 1m4f Ascot novice last October; lots more is required. |
12/1 |
|
11th 5 (5) |
30th Apr 2025 Standard 1m 4f 14y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
A fair bumper winner but he beat just one on the back of a wind op in 1m4f Ascot novice last October; lots more is required. |
12/1 |
|
5th 2 (6) |
4th Oct 2024 Heavy 1m 3f 211y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Pulled up in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March when last seen but had wind surgery subsequently and he impressed in a heavy-ground bumper at Southwell in February; interesting contender on Flat debut. |
10/1 |
Non-runners
Celtic Dino, Farland, Kingston Pride, Tripoli Flyer, Junta Marvel
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £111.30 |
| Straight Forecast | £85.68 |
| Tricast | £294.24 |
| Trifecta | £474.30 |
Selections
RP RATINGS:
You Oughta KnowPOSTDATA:
CanticoDaily Mirror:
Jasmin De VauxSPOTLIGHT:
The Yellow ClayThe Times:
SixmilebridgeTOPSPEED:
You Oughta KnowDaily Record:
You Oughta KnowThe Star:
Jasmin De Vaux