The Champion Bumper has long been considered a very informative affair, having been won by some future jumps superstars. Daryl Carter has previewed this competitive event alongside an exclusive Virgin Bet offer that provides new customers with £20 in free bets.
WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER (Cheltenham 5:30pm, Wednesday, March 16)
The Champion Bumper is shaping up to be a very hot renewal. The future stars will be on show, and it again looks as though the Irish contingent are miles ahead of the British.
Key Stats and Trends
Eleven of the last 12 winners were aged 5 or 6.
Just two of the last 12 favourites have won.
All of the last 12 winners won on their previous start before Cheltenham
Eleven of the last 12 had run at least twice
Twelve of the last 12 had a rating of 118 or higher.
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Likely Contenders
FACILE VEGA
Facile Vega looked extraordinary when scoring at the Dublin Racing Festival, brushing aside some very useful rivals who had all come into the race on the back of a victory. That run marked him down as a top notcher and one from a yard with an excellent record in this race. Facile Vega received an RPR of 136 for his effort at Leopardstown, that’s five pounds higher than what Sir Gerhard did on his run before winning the Champion Bumper and six pounds lower than Kilcruit (2nd). He is an outstanding candidate for this contest, but his odds-on price tag will surely drift on the day, so it’s worth waiting.
AMERICAN MIKE
American Mike is unbeaten in three career starts, including two bumper runs for which he has barely come off the bridle. The long-term ante-post favourite will need to significantly improve on the bare form of his two runs to date but what’s under the bonnet is anyone’s guess. His latest effort at Navan saw the 17 length runner-up beaten a nose in a hot Grade 2 Mares bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival (bunch finish), but the third was also beaten 37 lengths by The Nice Guy from the Willie Mullins stable, which could give them a line into American Mike. Still, he remains an exciting prospect and the praises he has received from Jamie Codd suggest he is not to be underestimated.
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REDEMPTION DAY
Patrick Mullins made some interesting comments in regards to Redemption Day, suggesting he is "up there" with the current favourite Facile Vega and after an impressive debut victory, that would be no surprise. The form of his Leopardstown win is yet to work out, but he was hardly out of second gear to win on the bridle. He is another we are yet to see fully extended, but I wouldn’t say I liked his action. He didn’t look a smooth mover coming down the home straight with flailing legs, and that would be the only concern at this stage.
MERCUREY
Four-year-old’s don’t have a great record (Cue Car 2010 the last) in this contest, but Mercurey looked well-above-average when scoring on debut at Gowran Park and showed plenty of gears despite running green. He is sure to improve for that effort, and he was highly touted before his debut. He could run here and would be a danger to all.
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SPRINGWELL BAY
Springwell Bay represents the English and was a commanding winner at Market Rasen in November, and while the visual impression was very taking, the form of that race looks worthless. Still, he effortlessly trounced his rivals by 14 lengths and is sure to have a promising future.
PINK IN THE PARK
Pink In The Park was disappointing at the Dublin Racing Festival. Although she was very taking at Listowel in September, it’s quite possible that form represents "summer form", and she needs to improve significantly with few excuses for defeat. She was only beaten one length, but the bunch finish suggests she is good but not great.
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CHAMPION BUMPER VERDICT
Lot’s in this market have had their records tarnished in recent weeks, but FACILE VEGA enhanced his profile considerably, and he looks a very promising future type. It’s easy to envisage him winning this and then the Supreme the following year. He looks well above average, and I couldn’t have been more impressed with him at Leopardstown. It’s worth waiting, though, and he will surely be bigger on the day. Remember Envoi Allen’s drift? He will do the same, no doubt as bookmakers look to take him on.
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