Cheltenham Champion Bumper

BumperD

Time to get a thread open for the Bumper. Tricky contest to nail the winner on, need a horse big enough to not get bullied about in the hustle & bustle, along with the strength & tactical speed to accelerate up the hill. We know its not a race to go too wild in but its there to the solved with the other 26 contests. Entries come out the end of February.
For the first season in a long time, I havn’t seen any that would stand out, so opening this thread might get people to put down a few we missed in the season, and also put up any that catch the eye over the final 8 week run up to the main event in Prestbury. I suspect the covers will come off a few very soon that will be bang there in 8 weeks time. Nice to be able to identify the future champions of the supreme/arkle or Gold Cup etc this early in their career.

The bumper king Mullins heads the betting with the burly Shaneshill, though I havn’t been blown away by him. Modus definitely goes & won a good race over c lto. Carningli has been very good this season but I’m not sure if he goes. And todoay, Milsean was impressive but possibly Punchestown bound given owners recent preferences.

So who has impressed you to date?

Betting:

Shaneshill 8
Modus 12
Black Hercules 14
Royal Caviar 14
Silver Concorde 14
Goldboy 16
Value at Risk 20
Seven Nation Army 20
20/1 Bar

Colonel Sanders

Declan Phelan put Black Hercules up as his Pointer from last year to follow, I took some 20s before he ran. Wasn't hugely impressive after being a bit topsy turvey in the market but the vibes after were that they think an awful lot of him but hadn't asked him too many questions at home before hand. The 2nd has since won and he's been well backed (albeit in a weak market) on Betfair for this

Royal Caviar and Value at Risk look doubtful runners based on Betfair activity and Seven Nation Army is about double the price quoted on Betfair

tipster

on black hercules as well lovely prospect huge big chasing type will come on a tonne id say.i like shaneshills attitude and is similar to briar hill last year doesnt do much at home but produces on track.theres still a couple of good ones from mullins yet to run but getting a bit close to cheltenham now

carpothepunk

Black Hercules is the Mullins one to be on.

Golantilla $$$

the groutch

would like to see how Vivega does before putting any money down on anything.

Mossey Joe

Modus was hugely impressive last day, he'd be my one at this stage

Colonel Sanders

I suppose a big question here is will Mullins run both Wylie horses?

BumperD

Doubt he'd run both, maybe he'll (wylie) save one arrow for punchestown just in case?

jimjamcos

Looking forward to this years race. Don't think the key is necessarily backing Mullins and moreso backing a stoutly bred type. Just draw a line through any horse you could see lining up in next years Supreme as race will be run way too quick with best stayer almost certain to win. Lots of the winners haven't been slow but they've all went on to stay longer trips. Dunguib is probably the sole 'natural 2miler' of the last decade (Cue card and CF maybe at a push also) and his run was freakishly good on the day with 3 stayers in behind. If you can back a future Mullins stayer, then all the better. Black Hercules looks that.



2002: Pizarro - Stayer

2003: Liberman - Stayer

2004: Total Enjoyment - Didn't race much after but probably would have made a stayer.

2005: Missed That - Stayer

2006: Hairy Molly - Stayer

2007: Cork All Star - Stayer

2008: Cousin Vinny - Had a turn of foot but stayed further.

2009: Dunguib - an exception to the rule. Pacy and simply outclassed stayers in Some Present, Rite of Passage and Quel Esprit.

2010: Cue Card - Obviously a class horse but stays well...to a point.

2011: Cheltenian - Stayer

2012: Champagne Fever - Despite winning a Supreme, staying won it for him. Stayer.

2013: Briar Hill - Stayer.

jimjamcos

jimjamcos wrote: »

Looking forward to this years race. Don't think the key is necessarily backing Mullins and moreso backing a stoutly bred type. Just draw a line through any horse you could see lining up in next years Supreme as race will be run way too quick with best stayer almost certain to win. Lots of the winners haven't been slow but they've all went on to stay longer trips. Dunguib is probably the sole 'natural 2miler' of the last decade (Cue card and CF maybe at a push also) and his run was freakishly good on the day with 3 stayers in behind. If you can back a future Mullins stayer, then all the better. Black Hercules looks that.



2002: Pizarro - Stayer

2003: Liberman - Stayer

2004: Total Enjoyment - Didn't race much after but probably would have made a stayer.

2005: Missed That - Stayer

2006: Hairy Molly - Stayer

2007: Cork All Star - Stayer

2008: Cousin Vinny - Had a turn of foot but stayed further.

2009: Dunguib - an exception to the rule. Pacy and simply outclassed stayers in Some Present, Rite of Passage and Quel Esprit.

2010: Cue Card - Obviously a class horse but stays well...to a point.

2011: Cheltenian - Stayer

2012: Champagne Fever - Despite winning a Supreme, staying won it for him. Stayer.

2013: Briar Hill - Stayer.

Hairy Molly was Joe Crowley not Mullins Jim

jimjamcos

TheTorment wrote: »

Hairy Molly was Joe Crowley not Mullins Jim

My bad. Stand corrected.

jimjamcos

jimjamcos wrote: »

My bad. Stand corrected.

I backed it. Thats how i remember!!

BumperD

14 Possible entries http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/cards/card.sd?race_id=594502&r_date=2014-03-12#raceTabs=lc_

AT-A-GLANCE CARDODDS COMPARISONLATEST SHOWS
NO. HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1P11 Allez Colombieres118 4 W P Mullins — -1 102
1 Aqalim90 4 John Ferguson — 34 100
1-1 Black Hercules94 5 W P Mullins — 51 114
1-124 Carningli82 5 Rebecca Curtis — 93 121
5-211 Goldboy143 6 W P Mullins — 110 135
22 Joshua Lane82 5 Edward P Harty — 72 118
1-1 Milsean59 5 W P Mullins — 54 116
11 Modus70 4 Robert Stephens — 98 123
1-11d Royal Caviar87 6 W P Mullins — 56 127
31-1 Seven Nation Army82 5 David Pipe — 72 119
3-11 Shaneshill102 5 W P Mullins — 82 127
3/2-1 Silver Concorde74 6 D K Weld — 106 118
1- Tarare367P 5 W P Mullins — — —
2-11 Value At Risk73 5 Philip Fenton — 106 132


Is it me or does that field look small? I presume others can be added later?

rossom

Very important thing to note for this.

Willie Mullins highest placed finisher in this since 2006 had their first start under Rules after Christmas (Champagne Fever ran on Stephens Day, Quel Esprit on 27th).

BumperD

Tarare entered Saturday though I confess to know nothing about the sire.

BumperD

I know you were all over moyle park for last yrs bumper and had some good ap prices, anything catch your eye so far Rossom?

rossom

BumperD wrote: »

I know you were all over moyle park for last yrs bumper and had some good ap prices, anything catch your eye so far Rossom?

Nothing at all really. Modus is probably the horse I've been impressed with most.

finbarrk

Willies best bumper horse mightn't have appeared yet. Maybe Vivega?

carpothepunk

Pretty sure Black Hercules is their goodun. Just asked to have golantilla introduced on betfair. Try have a couple Bob on if I can get someone to lay me a nice price.

Colonel Sanders

carpothepunk wrote: »

Pretty sure Black Hercules is their goodun

The dogs were barking before his first run anyhow

Whether he's a type for the bumper or if he'll run as well as Shaneshill is the question

tipster

BumperD wrote: »

Tarare entered Saturday though I confess to know nothing about the sire.

is very highly regarded that tarare

Colonel Sanders

Black Hercules entered at Gowran next Thursday

He's the only Mullins entry. Elliott has a Gigginstown horse in it.

Edit: Elliott has two Gigginstown horses entered. Mullins won it last year with Sizing Tennessee who ran at the festival

MadHorse

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

Black Hercules entered at Gowran next Thursday

He's the only Mullins entry. Elliott has a Gigginstown horse in it.

Edit: Elliott has two Gigginstown horses entered. Mullins won it last year with Sizing Tennessee who ran at the festival

Thats a hot bumper and should shed some light on Chelt.

unitedrover

Do giggingstown still operate a non "Cheltenham bumper" policy?

BumperD

unitedrover wrote: »

Do giggingstown still operate a non "Cheltenham bumper" policy?

Yep, they tend to run at punchestown instead.

Colonel Sanders

Moscow Mannon won that Gowran bumper 2 years ago. Went on to run 4th at Cheltenham

BumperD

BumperD wrote: »

Yep, they tend to run at punchestown instead.

Having said that, Milsean the giggy horse is listed amongst the possible entries but they tend to save them for the punchestown champion bumper, which in any event is a more valuable race prize money wise though doubt that bothers them

sting60

I would be very surprised if Black Hercules runs in the bumper.He looks very ground dependent with his knee action and also he is bred to want at least soft been by Heron Island.Imo it will be a poor bumper if he could place unless its a bog.

BumperD

Black Hercules only stable entry for Thursdays Gowran bumper.

I'm beginning to think this years champ bumper could be the smallest field in a long time.

Colonel Sanders

Black hercules does indeed run tomorrow

Plenty of winners in it, including a £160,000 Gigginstown purchase

sting60

The horse to watch[dont think its good enough] is Tyners.He is using this as a marker for his best bumper horse who I hear is ready to run shortly.Keep an eye on the knee action of Black Hercules and see if that action will suit on good ground at Cheltenham I have my serious doubts.

BumperD

Betting 9 February:

Cillians Return 7
Shaneshill 8
Black Hercules 8
Golantilla 10
Modus 12
Vigil 12
Value at Risk 14
Windsor Park 14
Royal Caviar 16
Silver Concorde 16
Goldboy 20

Black Hercules form took another boost today with Vigil/Cillians Return form lines.

STADEdeLUC

Weld said he didnt think Vigil would go to the festival

Pinesky

STADEdeLUC wrote: »

Weld said he didnt think Vigil would go to the festival

Weld seemed to be annoyed with Matt Chapman's questions. He was far less forthcoming than mc namara .
I would not place much credence on what Weld said post race.
He will definitely have a runner in bumper.

STADEdeLUC

Pinesky wrote: »

Weld seemed to be annoyed with Matt Chapman's questions. He was far less forthcoming than mc namara .
I would not place much credence on what Weld said post race.
He will definitely have a runner in bumper.

He will but I dont see it being Vigil I think Windsor Park is the best of the 3 that he has

Gregk961

Like the look of Value at Risk, strikes me as the type Ive seen win. Already beaten Windsor park too, not sure if that will hold though!

Malarkey121

Vigil was very impressive, Weld has some decent sorts, is there any information about Silver Concorde id back whichever one he sends in all fairness.

kfallon

Smullen will probably be on board Weld's bumper horse at the festival

faoile@n

kfallon wrote: »

Smullen will probably be on board Weld's bumper horse at the festival

Robbie Mac will most definitely be on board.

Malarkey121

I'd agree, I will wait until its known which one McNamara will be sitting on, that will be good enough for me.

BumperD

No harm mentioning Welds record at Cheltenham (never had a winner) despite firing really good horses at the festival. I think he'll run one of them and its Vigil who has the best form IMO. He's also likely to appreciate better ground. A definite contender if he lines up and I'd prefer RP MacNamara on his back.

Colonel Sanders

BumperD wrote: »

No harm mentioning Welds record at Cheltenham (never had a winner) despite firing really good horses at the festival. I think he'll run one of them and its Vigil who has the best form IMO. He's also likely to appreciate better ground. A definite contender if he lines up and I'd prefer RP MacNamara on his back.

Weld has had the one winner

Does Golantilla not run tomorrow? Did someone say he'd a few entries?

Backstreet Moyes

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

Weld has had the one winner

Does Golantilla not run tomorrow? Did someone say he'd a few entries?

Entered in Mussleburgh on Wednesday.

BumperD

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

Weld has had the one winner

Does Golantilla not run tomorrow? Did someone say he'd a few entries?

Who did he have? I cannot recall any but I know he had a few places?? I know when you tell me I'll have a homer doh! Moment....

Edit: found it, rare holiday 1990 Triumph Hurdle.

ft9

Word on the street is that Smullen will be on board Welds bumper horse.
It's irrelevant anyway, Golantilla wins.

Backstreet Moyes

ft9 wrote: »

Word on the street is that Smullen will be on board Welds bumper horse.
It's irrelevant anyway, Golantilla wins.

Anybody know if any of the firms are nrrb for the Bumper. Want to get a few pound on Golantilla before his run Wednesday.

Malarkey121

ft9 wrote: »

Word on the street is that Smullen will be on board Welds bumper horse.

Yes, I just seen this yesterday after posting.

He will partner the pick of Dermot Weld’s three entries in the Champion Bumper on the second day.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/cheltenham-festival/10628720/Top-Irish-Flat-jockey-Pat-Smullen-booked-to-ride-in-Champion-Bumper-at-Cheltenham-Festival.html

UrbanSea

Nuts102 wrote: »

Anybody know if any of the firms are nrrb for the Bumper. Want to get a few pound on Golantilla before his run Wednesday.

VC NRFB

UrbanSea

Golantilla not declared tomorrow but has an entry for Ascot Saturday

carpothepunk

Aye, Dad gave me a buzz this morning, not risking him on the poor ground. Much rather see him at Ascot anyway. Nice pot to be picked up too, Barry has to recoup his cash somehow.

gillamandango

Aye, Dad gave me a buzz this morning, not risking him on the poor ground. Much rather see him at Ascot anyway. Nice pot to be picked up too, Barry has to recoup his cash somehow.

I have lived in Ascot and there is so much flooding around the surrounding areas that the ground on saturday will be no better than Soft.It could be worse than that is the rain keeps coming.I cant see the ground being any better than that up north tomorrow. Do you think he would go straight to the bumper then?