https://cheltenham.attheraces.com/features/sectional-spotlight/champion-bumper

SIMON ROWLANDS 2023 BUMPER Sectional TIME FIGURES

AGE - Five and six  yr olds. Only four six yr olds last year, best Our Jester in 7th. Five of the 15 runners in 2021, a 1-2 for Willie's pair. Ten of the field in 2020 were aged 6, Appreciate It, fav, the only one to finish in the first four. Hard to believe but no 6 yr olds ran in the field in 2019. They didn’t used to win this before ’05 Missed That, ’06 Hairy Molly (only 2 that year), Silver Concorde, Moon Racer and Fayonagh. Four winners in the last eight. First since Dunquib '09. 17 from the last 25 have been five year olds but better to say five from the last seven. 2014 2nd to 7th behind Silver Concorde were all five year olds. In 2016 first seven home were all five year olds. In 2017 places 2nd to 6th went to two four years and three five year olds. 2018 Relegate and Tornado Flyer in 3rd were five year olds. IMO there's not a lot to pick between the age groups.

4 yr olds - Rhythm Section '93, Dato Star ’95 only 4 year old winners before Cue Card demolished the field in 2010. None since. Rhythm Section trained by Homer Scott, the other two in England. Only Poetic Music last year, 6th. Two ran in 2021, best Super Six in 5th. Four ran in 2020, Ocean Wind 6th. In 2019 Blue Sari, Willie's only representative, was one of two 4 yr olds in the 14 strong field. Strongly fancied at 7/2, finished second to Envoi Allen. Acey Milan 9/2F 4th in 2018, Debuchet 10/1 2nd in 2017, New Years Eve 9/2F 2nd in 2012.

PRICE - This century five favourites and four second favourites have obliged. Last year the SPs were Facile Vega 15/8f, American Mike 5/2 7s bar. 2021 Sir Gerhard 85/40, Kilcruit 10/11, 10s bar. 2020 Ferny Hollow 11/1 5th fav. 2019 Envoi Allen went from 9/2 to 2/1 fav in 15 minutes before the off (Blue Sari usurped as jolly) Relegate was 25/1. Fayonagh 7/1 jt third fav.

Facile, Envoi Allen , Moon Racer 2015, Missed That at 7/2 in 2005 and Liberman 2/1 in 2003 this century's five successful jollies.

SHORT PRICED FAVOURITES - Facile Vega at 15/8, Envoi Allen 2020 and Liberman 2003, both at 2s are only winners this century from 14 favourites that were sent off 11/4 or less. 9 of those other shorties finished runner-up. Kilcruit 2021 at 10/11 and Appreciate It 15/8 were both 'unbeatable' said the shroods. To be fair to the layers Facile Vega, Kilcruit, Envoi Allen and Appreciate It are the only bumper favs in the last decade to be returned shorter than 3/1.

'10 Shot From The Hip backed from 6s to 3s in the fifteen minutes before the off. Mr JP Magnier didn't see where Cue Card went. (You rarely see the RP use the phrase 'romped clear', Ruby on Al Ferof beat the rest of the field by 8 lengths but couldn't believe it when J Tizzard breezed past). 2014 Shanehill 7/2f 2nd. Moon Racer 9s to 9/2f on the day. In 2016 bookies went 8s the field in the morning finished Augusta Kate 7/2 fav, Ballyandy 5s, New To This Town 6s, 10s bar. 2017. Skelton's Cause Toujours backed down to 9/2 fav. Hard to understand why. In 2018 Acey Milan started 9/2 fav. Punters obviously didn't see Aidan Coleman falling off him on the way to the start. In Envoi Allen's year with a small field the SP overround was 121%. In each of the previous three years, the SP Overround was at least 128%. 2020 with 23 runners it was 134% That's what happen in the ring for every bumper for every race meeting. Advisable to take win bet on machine or a morning price (and BOG if you can get it). 2021 it was 125, last year 124.,

This century all 22 runners who had been beaten favourite BF last time out failed to win. Five in total have between the last six years. Authorised Speed in 4th last year.

Big prices, Ferny Hollow 11s, Relegate 25s, Silver Concorde 16s, Briar Hill 25s Champagne Fever 16s, Cheltenian 14s, Cue Card 40s all winners in the last 12 runnings.

FORM - All bar Monsignor and Liberman of the total 29 winners were successful on most recent start. Won't be that much of a help.

Only 16 of the 30 were unbeaten. However all bar Ferny Hollow and Ballyandy of the last ten unbeaten in bumpers since July.

Eight winners this century had ran at least 3 times in bumpers. 14 hadn't. Ferny Hollow improved for hood and a fast pace. Facile Vega and Sir Gerhard won two, Envoi Allen unbeaten in three, Ballyandy had run in four bumpers.

Apart from Sir Gerhard, six of the last seven ran within the last 40 days and in February. He won Listed at Navan 18th Dec (89). Ferny Hollow 18 days Facile Vega 39 Envoi Allen 39 Relegate 38 days (all last ran at the DRF). Fayonagh 39. Moon Racer 144 days since winning course bumper at October meeting. Against that 7 of last 19 not seen since Christmas. Silver Concorde won at Leopardstown on 28th December. Six of the past seven had won a LIsted or Graded Bumper

BHA RATINGS - Facile Vega (joint with American Mike), Envoi Allen, Fayonagh, Ballyandy and Moon Racer top BHA rating when allowances taken into consideration. Not Sir Gerard, Ferny Hollow nor Relegate. Handicapper had Sir Gerhard 7lb inferior to Kilcruit and Ferny Hollow the same to Appreciate It. Relegate allegedly 5lbs inferior to Acey Milan despite having won a DRF G2 last time. Those rated 132+ are 6 from 15 over the past 14 years. Eight of the last 14 were top rated or joint top rated.

2023 BHA Ratings: 135 - A Dream To Share 129 - Fact To File 125 - It’s For Me 125 - Fun Fun Fun

7 of the last 27 won a Leopardstown Xmas Bumper. 20 didn't. Sir Gerhard won at Down Royal and Navan. Appreciate It best qualifier last year in 2nd. Also cruised home in DRF, won same G2 as Envoi Allen. Sempo best qualifier 2019, 6th here, Ballybow best qualifier 2018, 5th. Bacardys best in 2017, 3rd here. This years qualifiers, Pour Les Filles, Fact To File, Ile Atlantique, Fascile Mode, A Dream To Share.

Gigginstown are not keen on what can be a rough race Eddie O'Leary, Racing Post 19th Feb 2016 'I wouldn't imagine we'll send one this year.' Nothing sent last two years nor in 2019 Darling Daughter unplaced 2020 after good win in Relegate's DRF Mares G2. Felix Desjy only runner 2018, 6th. None came in 2017, one unplaced in 2016. Neither of G Elliotts bumper winners were owned by Gigginstown. (Sir Gerhard by Cheveley Park)

Neither P Nicholls nor N Henderson tend to target this race. No runners for NH in each of the last three years. 2021 PN ran Shearer 80/1 8th for the McNeill family. In 2019 he ran two who had been unbeaten in bumpers. Finished 9th and 10th. Dan Skelton third 2021 with Elle Est Belle. No runner last year. His 2020 Festival Nap (Castle Carey Preview Night) was Third Time Lucki, a respectable 4th at 16/1.

19 from last 21 had won a bumper worth at least £4k to the winner (Not Cue Card nor Cheltenian but £4k bumpers not that common in England nowadays. All Irish bumpers usually worth at least £4k. Facile Vega £50k at DRF, Sir Gerhard's Listed win netted £11k, Ferny Hollow's Fairyhouse win was only for £5k. Envoi Allen had already won £78k in first place prize money before he got here. Moon Racer 50s first time out won big Fairyhouse bumper prize of £34k by 7 lengths. Michael Ronayne, the trainer must have had a wonderful shock that day. (I know, who? Said the horse was only three quarters fit). Ballyandy had won three bumpers two of which were both for £11k first prize. Fayonagh won a 23k euro to the winner Listed Mares Bumper at Fairyhouse by 20 lengths. Relegate also won G2 Leopardstown 44k euro first prize.

Fayonagh joined the W Mullins trained Missed That to be the only winners to have finished outside the first 4 on any previous run. Both had been well out with the washing on their first run. But won their next two. None bar Fayonagh of the last 15 winners have finished outside 1st or 2nd in any bumper run. Liberman 2003 last one not to have won last time out.
 

MARES - All four winners, Relegate, Fayonagh, Total Enjoyment (7/1 2nd fav) 2004, Mucklemeg (7/2f) 1994 for Irish trainers. Augusta Kate all the rage getting 7lb, only 7th. Last year Poetic Music 6th 2021 Elle Est Belle, Super Six and Grangee represented the mares. Finished 3rd, 5th and 6th respectively. 2020 Queens Brook finished 3rd at 6/1, well tipped up by G Elliott. Two others unplaced. Since the arrival of the big Aintree and Punchestown Mares Bumpers I can only find ten mares unplaced in the last 10 renewals of this. The Glancing Queen finished a respectable 5th here in 2019, before winning at Aintree. Returned here to finish 8th. Colreevy 7th of 23 in 2018 at 50s, went on to win well at Punchestown. Irish Roe well beaten in 2017. When Total Enjoyment and Mucklemeg won, mares also finished second.

25 of the 30 successful previously in fields of 11 or more (including all the last eight but not the three before that. Silver Concorde had finished 2nd of 22 in a Galway Bumper at odds on). Never sure of the relevance of this, myself.

TRAINERS - Irish Trained have won nine of the last 11, W Mullins and G Elliott the last six between them.

DUBLIN RACING FESTIVAL - Now in its sixth year, previous five here were won by Facile Vega 1st, Kilcruit 2nd, Appreciate It 2nd, Envoi Allen 1st, Blackbow (5th). Nothing beaten at the DRF then placed at Cheltenham. A Dream To Share

W Mullins. 12 winners from the last 265. Facile Vega last year with seven entries. Seabank Bistro next best in 5th at 18s. A 1-2 in 2021 with 'Gordon's' Sir Gerhard winning. Immediately contacted G Elliott after the race. All class. 1-2 in 2020 (and Five Bar Brian ran well for a long way) 2019 Blue Sari, his only runner, 2nd. Relegate was his first winner since Briar Hill in 2013 but there were two seconds in that gap. Some did say during that time that he was gone at the bumper game. 4 winners were his only runner, 8 when he went with more than one. The four wins with single runners came in his first five successes. He has had 87 bumper runners in last 26 renewals. His best performance came in 2018, 5 runners finishing 1-2-3-5-7. Hard to beat that. Two runners in 2017 best Next Destination in 4th, Carter McKay unpl. Seven came in 2016 giving him 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th. 2021 he had a 1-2-6-8.

10 of his 12 winners were 5 yr olds. Missed That and Sir Gerhard were 6 yrs olds and the latter not really his. All bar Ferny Hollow and Relegate of his 5yr old winners had won their sole outing prior to arriving at Cheltenham. Relegate had two previous runs and was the fourth most fancied of his five runners at 25s. The hood had previously worked for Ferny Hollow.

2015 he had six runners and his best finisher was Belshill in 10th (yes, 10th). Best backed 2015 was Bordoni 7s and pulled up. Three ran in 2014 finishing 2nd, 4th and 6th. Three in 2013 with Briar Hill priced up as the outsider. Wins at 25s. Two runners 2012 - Pique Sous finished third. Cousin Vinny (3 runners) and Joe Cullen (4). Five of his winners had only one previous run. With Briar Hill at 25s, Willie must be in front for level stakes. Sir Gerhard, Ferny Hollow, Champagne Fever and Briar Hill all came from the Point to Point route. Facile Vega, Sir Gerhard the first from his last seven returning with an SP of less than 11/1. Sometimes I think Mr Mullins sometimes just tries to get them here and then whatever happens, happens. When he brings more than one, he may not even know himself which one is the one.

Willie 23rd Feb 2022 - “You never know with them though, I’ve had plenty of morning glories over the years and it’s only when you bring them to the racetrack that you see."

Only ever ran two four yr olds, Blue Sari 2nd 2020, Shady Willow unpl 2006 33s. The latter had previously strolled home in a 4 yr olds bumper at Punchestown. 22nd Feb 2019, Sporting Life site. Willie says, '4 yr olds have old won three bumpers, I believe.' Interesting that he bothers to know his Chelt stats since he does tend to retire a few! Fact To File, Ile Atlantique, Chosen Dream et al..

Gordon Elliott has trained two of the last six. And Sir Gerhard. Both his two winners ridden by the supremo, Mr JJ Codd. And American Mike 2nd last year. A third in 2020 for them with Queens Brook with Eskylane 16/1 in 5th. Pour Les Filles, Better Times Ahead.

Both Ballyandy and Moon Racer were course winners. Queens Gamble Only 7 GB trained winners from 30 (from about two thirds of the total runners - Only 8 from 20 last year, 7 from 14 2021, 15 runners from 23 2020, 9 from 14 in 2019, 17 from 24 2018, 15 in both the previous two years. However, they have only won two of the last 11. Before Ballyandy and Moon Racer, Cheltenian 2011 and Cue Card 2010 first since Liberman '03. Ballyandy, Al Ferof and Ericht won same Newbury bumper (Betfair Hurdle day) as Monsignor finished 4th in his year. Elle Est Belle 3rd here dead heated in the Mares Listed Course bumper run in November at 4 07, Ocean Wind 6th here after an easy Newbury win in 3 48 on good ground. Acey Milan 4th here after strolling around Newbury in 2018. GB trained filled first four places in 2015. GB trained have finished 2nd five times out of the seven when GB trained won the race. A wonderful fact.

Naas £8k to winner bumper 21st Feb has produced Pizarro, Hairy Molly and Rite of Passage.

Briar Hill 2013 the last winner to have only had one previous run in total.

Paul Webber – has trained two 4 yr olds to be placed Press Gang ’06, De Soto ‘05. It was some time ago. But returned to success with Indefatigable in the 2020 Martin Pipe Hurdle.

Edward O’Grady only 5 runners in last 28 runnings, 2 winners and a third. '10 Shot From The Hip. Seems a long time since Pizarro kept the race in 2002 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpt3OL-Vq-Q Shocking result by the stewards? On reflection, I'm not so sure.

BREEDING - 24 from the 30 winners were Irish bred. Ballyandy by Kayf Tara and GB. A 1-2-3-4 last year, a 1-2 lin 2021 and the first five home in 2020.

FRE BRED - Authorised Speed in 4th the best of four last year. Three unplaced over the previous two years including Grangee. Envoi Allen is a French Bred. Five of the 2019 field were French Bred achieving a 1-2-5. Three ran in 2018, best Felix Desjy in 6th. Five French Breds ran in 2017 including the four year old Debuchet in 2nd, Bacardys 3rd 2016, Cheltenian and Al Ferof (2nd) were first successes for the French Breds.

JOCKEYS - Amateur or conditionals have had no claim in this race for the last nine renewals. No success until '07 when Pauline Ryan went very close on Sophocles and then '08 Patrick Mullins beat Nina Carberry with all the professionals in their wake. '09 Being an amateur didn't seem to cause much of a problem to Mr B T O'Connell on Dunguib. Mind you, you might have fancied your own chances at steering that. 2010 Joe Tizzard took off on Cue Card from Ruby and Al Ferof. 2011 R Johnson from Aidan Coleman. 2012 Mr PW Mullins. 2013 Ruby on the far side on the track was 'practising his apologies' to the Wylies before Briar Hill deigned to get involved and took off.

2014 Mr Robbie McNamara rode his first Festival winner with a fine ride on Silver Concorde to be followed up the next day on Spring Heeled in the Kim Muir. 2015 T Scudamore for D Pipe. 2016 was a good Wednesday for the Twiston Davies family. 2017 Mr JJ Codd hampered at the start, then flew up the hill on Fayonagh. Went round them all. Fantastic. With an even wetter sail, Katie Walsh again round the outside on Relegate having also decided to give them a start. Half a mile from home, WHOOSH. Jamie then steered Envoi Allen home in 2019 and Paul Townend did the same on Ferny Hollow in 2020 last year. Three of the last six winners came from last place. Facile Vega 'rear of midfield, led over 1f out, readily.' Nice steer by Patrick. Amateurs definitely hold their own in this. Have won six of the last eleven. In 2021 they weren't able to come due to COVID. Daft rule.. Rachel held on from Paul.

OWNERS - Cheveley Park - Sir Gerhard, Envoi Allen and Ferny Hollow. The first owner ever to win three Champion Bumpers. And back to back.

BLINKERS, CHEEKPIECES etc - Vito Devito (10th) wore a hood last year. No headgear worn by any in 2021. Ferny Hollow 2020 the only winner of this in 20 yrs wearing some type of headgear. Hooded for the second time. (Willie Mullins dissing lovely stats again). Only nine have tried in 20 years. A no hoper 2019, 2018 Felix Desjy lone qualifier, in 6th. One in 2017, may still be looking for it, none in 2016, two qualifiers. 2015, best Modus 2nd in first time hood having finished eighth in 2014.

Fleminsfirth is the big breeding stat. With Relegate he became the only horse so far to have sired two winners of the Champion Bumper. The other different sires have been (in order) from the start, Montelimar, Where to Dance, Strong Gale, Accordion, Welsh Term, Florida Son, Glacial Storm, Mister Lord, River Falls, Broken Hearted, Teenoso, Flemensfirth, Overbury, Shernazar, Fasliyief, Bob Back, Presenting, Kings Theatre, Astarabad, Stowaway, Shantou, Dansili, Saffron Walden, Kayf Tara, Kalanisi, (F), Muhtathir, Westerner, Jeremy and Walk In The Park. Does show how quickly sires can go in and out of fashion (and pass away).

Jeremy, Stowaway and Yeats each sired four winners at the 2021 Festival. Stowaway won overall on places but only 11 Jeremys in total ran.

Fleminsfirth's two winners were Total Enjoyment and Relegate, both mares.

Don't really know how this affects six day entries Fascile Mode (Walk In The Park), Fingle Bridge (Fleminsfirth), No Time To Wait (Walk In The Park), Western Diego (Westerner), Westport Cove (Muhtathir).