Weatherbys Champion Bumper Preview - Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 11/03/2020

Weatherbys Champion Bumper Preview - Cheltenham Festival

March 11, 2020 17:30pm - Cheltenham

Distance: 2m 87y

Grade: (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4-6yo)

Runners: 23

Winner: £42,203

Going: Soft

The Champion Bumper rounds off the Day Two action and is notable as the only race of the week with no obstacles. However, many runners here go on to enjoy successful jump careers. Former runners include King George winners Florida Pearl and Cue Card.

This has traditionally been a good race for the Irish and Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott in particular. But will it be four-in-a-row for the Emerald Isle this week? With nine runners in the field including favourite Appreciate It, they stand a good chance. The Mullins.trained entry is a quality performer who followed up a strong debut with a dominating six-length win over 2m4f. That has brought plenty of backing, hence the 7/4 starting price.

The Elliot team bring the well-rated Queen`s Brook who triumphed by 21 lengths on her one and only start, at Gowran. Elliott and Codd have combined to land two of the last three winners here. She travelled well in tough conditions that day, so there is a feeling there are plenty more wins to come. With that in mind, she just gets the nod as our pick for the final race of the day.

Having progressed since finishing fifth last year and with a course and distance win and a Grade Two Bumper triumph on her record, The Glancing Queen looks like a good each-way option at 14/1

Weatherbys Champion Bumper Winners - past six years:

2014: Silver Concorde (6) - Mr Robbie McNamara (Dermot Weld)

2015: Moon Racer (6) - Tom Scudamore (David Pipe)

2016: Ballyandy (5) - Sam Twiston-Davies (Nigel Twiston-Davies)

2017: Fayonagh (6) - Jamie Codd (Gordon Elliott)

2018: Relegate (5) - Ms K Walsh (Willie Mullins)

2019: Envoi Allen (5) - Jamie Codd (Gordon Eliott)

Latest Betting odds:

Appreciate It (7/4), Queens Brook (15/2), Panic Attack (9/1), Ferny Hollow (12/1), Israel Champ (12/1), The Glancing Queen (14/1), Third Time Lucki (14/1), Eskylane (14/1), Darling Daughter (16/1), Ocean Wind (20/1), Adrimel (20/1), Five Bar Brian (25/1), Julies Stowaway (33/1), Mahler Allstar (33/1), Ask A Honey Bee (33/1), Good Time Jonny (40/1), Audacity (66/1), Let Me Entertain U (80/1), One True King (100/1), Linelee King (100/1), Brief Ambition (100/1), Can You Call (250/1), Snowpiercer (500/1)

You can back Queens Brook to win at 15/2 and The Glancing Queen (E/W) at 14/1.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 11/03/2020

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (11/03/2020 13:08:27) but are subject to change.