17:30 Cheltenham
Wednesday 11 March 2020
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1 Standard Open NH Flat Race)
- 4YO to 6YO | Class 1 | 2m 87y | Soft | 23 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 4m 6.06s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Unbeaten in two starts in this sphere giving weight to another promising sort at Doncaster last month travelling well and showing a can-do attitude at the finish. Won on his debut by 26L at Uttoxeter; this will be his toughest test yet.
Smart bumper performer who confirmed the promise shown on his debut when dictating the pace in a 2m4f event on second start to run out a 6L winner. Well-backed and even more impressive when last seen back to 2m; leading player for top-class stable.
One of two runners for a yard that do well in bumpers; comes here defending an unbeaten record (3-3) having defied a double-penalty last time. Shown a good attitude with a fair amount of experience which will stand him in good stead, lively outsider.
Longer-priced of the duo from this yard who was unlucky not to win over C&D (waiting tactics overdone) having won on his debut at Southwell. Has work to do with Israel Champ on that C&D; ran well last time but ultimately thumped 8L by Ocean Wind.
Yard 0-8 in bumpers (last five seasons) and they look to be tilting at windmills with this nicely-bred sort who showed ability on his Market Rasen debut in December. Would need a major step forward to feature here and that's unlikely.
From a stable with history in this race; close to making a winning start to his career when narrowly defeated at Fairyhouse (worn down close home). Strong in the betting after a break, he confirmed debut promise to win at Navan under Jamie Codd.
One of three that this leading yard run who finished second on his first two starts; benefitted from being ridden more patiently when winning last time (confirming earlier promise). Neds to improve but provides useful back-up to Appreciate It.
Least-fancied of the three that his yard run. Left his debut form behind on stable debut having left Tim Reed's yard (off 25 months) winning at Fairyhouse. Hard to know what to make of that performance but overall he has something to find.
Off the mark at the third attempt (second for this yard) making the most of the 10lb he received from his main rival. Travelled strongly and won easily at Musselburgh in January, showing a good turn of foot, takes a rise in grade here.
Failed to justify strong support on debut but has made amends in good style since then winning a brace of Listed contests, one over C&D and both in testing conditions. Looks one of the leading chances for the GB team in search of his hat-trick.
Helped force the pace in a heavy ground Naas bumper having looked the pick on form of the 11 strong field. Looks the type to appreciate a real test when switched to hurdles and may find several with more pace in this.
Went one better than his debut second off the back of a break when scoring at Sedgefield in January despite not totally having the run of the race (got 7lb from main rival). This looks a considerable rise in class; would be one of the lesser lights.
One of the few maidens in the field, did shape with encouragement on his only start so far at Leopardstown late last year. Showed signs of inexperience and would benefit from a strong gallop; makes limited appeal.
Took seven attempts to get off the mark in point-to-points but was rather quicker to break his maiden under Rules doing so on his first start at Ludlow in a 1m6f bumper. Made all to win easily (testing conditions exaggerating his superiority).
Well beaten for the most part in Irish bumpers when with Declan Queally. Fared little better on his first start for this yard on GB debut. Beaten 40L in a Bangor bumper he would have to cause a major shock to triumph here.
Having won on his second start he was more impressive when defying a penalty to beat a well-fancied newcomer. Both of his wins place him high in the pecking order of the GB bumper contenders; looks an exciting prospect.
One of two mares for this yard she looks the lesser-fancied despite entering with a 2-2 record with her latest win coming in Grade 2 mares' company. Takes on the boys here and will need to step forward, may need a longer trip ideally.
Well supported when taking her only bumper start so far in impressive fashion at Gowran Park by 21L under Jamie Codd. Relished the testing conditions (travelled well); sure to win more races and has leading claims for a yard with a good CV in this.
Been brought along steadily in this sphere since winning a mares' Listed event on her C&D debut in November 2018. Creditable efforts since including in this race last year (fifth) prior to taking a mares' Grade 2 bumper at Aintree; smart sort.
16-1 winner on New Year's Day here over 1m6f of a Listed bumper making all and benefitting from that enterprising ride. Failed to repeat that effort last time again in Listed company at Newbury and as things stand he's got work to do in this grade.
One of a quartet of 4yo's he sprang a 20-1 surprise when scoring on his bumper debut at Exeter handling the testing conditions with aplomb to win by 2L. Clearly faces a stiffer task here in terms of class and experience; others appeal more.
Winner of two bumpers with his only defeat coming at the hands of Audacity here over 1m6f, race that has worked out well. Comprehensively reversed that form last time when appreciating good ground at Newbury to romp home by 8L; different test now.
Impressive 10L winner of a mares' Listed bumper at Market Rasen with Willie Mullins looking a class apart. Makes debut for new connections, gives yard strong hand in the race (also have Israel Champ); stiffer test especially for 4yo but respected.
Forecasts
Appreciate It (15/8), Queens Brook (6/1), Israel Champ (8/1), Panic Attack (10/1), Ferny Hollow (11/1), Ocean Wind (12/1), The Glancing Queen (12/1), Darling Daughter (14/1), Third Time Lucki (16/1), Eskylane (16/1), Ask A Honey Bee (25/1), Adrimel (25/1), Five Bar Brian (33/1), Julies Stowaway (40/1), Good Time Jonny (66/1), One True King (100/1), Mahler Allstar (100/1), Can You Call (100/1), Audacity (100/1), Let Me Entertain U (100/1), Brief Ambition (100/1), Linelee King (100/1), Snowpiercer (150/1)
Ireland and two stables in particular (Mullins/Elliott) have given the Emerald Isle a good record in this and they go looking for their fourth win in a row. Nine Irish runners give them a good chance with Appreciate It looking to be their leading hope blending stamina (already won over 2m4f with speed) but the Elliott team provide a worthy opponent in the mare QUEENS BROOK an impressive winner on her only start so far. Mares could be to the fore with last year’s fifth The Glancing Queen forming part of a decent home defence. 4yo’s haven’t been successful since 2010 (Cue Card) but Ocean Wind and Panic Attack need to be noted.
- Queens Brook
- Appreciate It
- The Glancing Queen
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £42,202.002nd: £15,900.003rd: £7,958.004th: £3,975.005th: £1,995.006th: £998.007th: £495.008th: £255.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
