Cheltenham Festival: It's For Me new Champion Bumper favourite

Winner of a point-to-point for the Stuart Crawford team, he was switched to Willie Mullins by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and ran away with the Racing Again February 12th (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

Patrick Mullins was always sitting pretty aboard the five-year-old who was sent off the 4/9 favourite and he was still hard on the bridle as he passed the line ten lengths clear of Suttons Hill.

The winning rider said: “He’s much better on the track than he is at home, at home he doesn’t flash. Looking at the price he went off in his point-to-point, it was obviously a similar story there. He’s much better on grass.

“That was very impressive. He was a bit keen all the way but he quickened up very well. That was as good as anything that has been seen this year. When you don’t have one of Gordon Elliott’s in there to maybe have a measure, it’s a bit easier. The bumper horses seem to be hitting top gear now, they were a bit hit and miss before Christmas.”

When asked if the Champion Bumper was tomorrow, would he ride him, Mullins added: “I don’t know what I’m going to ride there.”

Sky Bet cut It's For Me to 5/1 from 9/1 for the Cheltenham feature – the same price as Betfair and Paddy Power initially did before going 4/1.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR for Sky Bet, said: “It’s always difficult to know exactly what he’s beaten but visually that was very impressive from Its For Me, who we now make favourite for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.”

Kid strikes for Gigginstown and Mullins

The Closutton team had earlier been on the mark with Shanbally Kid (11/10 favourite) in the Buy Your Navan 2023 Membership Maiden Hurdle.

He let down his supporters when only fourth on his hurdles bow but made amends with a length-and-three-quarter verdict over Monty’s Star in the hands of Paul Townend.

“It took me a while to get him jumping to be honest,” said the winning rider. “I was probably there a bit soon on him as he didn’t do a whole lot when he hit the front, but I was always holding them behind me.

“He’s still quite a raw individual. I kind of settled the race really quickly and then he was just doing enough. I’d say there is a bit more in the tank.

“The further he went, the better he jumped, he’ll be fine and should progress again. You’d be going out in trip with him rather than back, I’d think.”

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.