Ante-post tips and odds for the 2022 Champion Bumper
This Grade One takes place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 16th March 2022
We're backing American Mike to take down favourite Facile Vega
Joyeux Machin also features in our betting tips
Expired
Runners and riders in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)
The curtain-closer on Ladies’ Day at the Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Bumper. This two-mile contest is the only race staged during the meeting that doesn’t feature any obstacles. Many great horses have claimed the first Grade One of their careers in the Champion Bumper, including Florida Pearl, Cue Card and Envoi Allen.
In the latest article from our 2022 Cheltenham Festival tips series, we’ve taken a look through the current market for this year’s Champion Bumper and picked out our best betting tips.
Dominating the betting we find Facile Vega, who’s a perfect two-from-two around Leopardstown this season. Willie Mullins’ star showed Joyeux Machin a clean set of heels to win on debut over Christmas. Last weekend at the Dublin Racing Festival, Facile Vega ran away with the Grade Two bumper, handing some highly-touted rivals a 12-length thrashing.
Gordon Elliott and the Moran’s splashed out almost £200k to bring American Mike to Cullentra, following an impressive victory between the flags. With Jamie Codd in the saddle, Elliott’s five-year-old saw off a modest field on his first start under rules, before flattening three first-time out winners to score in the Listed bumper at Navan before Christmas.
Willie and Patrick Mullins have both mentioned Redemption Day a lot leading up to Cheltenham. Patrick rode this Blue Bresil gelding to an impressive victory on the third day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and the plan is for Redemption Day to join Facile Vega in the Champion Bumper.
Mullins could also throw Mercurey, a 13-length winner on his sole start at Gowran Park, into the Cheltenham Festival mix. Pink In The Park, Seabank Bistro and Champ Kiely have also been entered by Ireland’s Champion Trainer.
Joyeux Machin boosted Facile Vega’s form by claiming an impressive win on his second start at Navan, and he could fly the flag for Paul Nolan. As could Sandor Clegane, if connections fancy taking Facile Vega on again following a 12-length defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Little-known Irish trainer, Richard O’Brien has handed a speculative entry to his Naas scorer, Impulsive Dancer. Noel Meade’s The Model Kingdom beat another of Gordon Elliott’s entrants, Harmonya Maker in a Listed bumper during the autumn, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if she turned up in the Champion Bumper.
Jonjo O’Neill’s recruit, Springwell Bay heads the home challenge on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. Runner-up to a Willie Mullins’ runner on his sole start in Ireland, Springwell Bay cantered to an easy victory on his British debut in a bumper at Market Rasen, looking smart in the process.
Milton Harris will have been blown away by Mullenbeg’s victory in the Listed Mares’ Bumper on Cheltenham Trials Day, where Mitch Bastyan’s mount destroyed some capable rivals. Harris may choose to wait for the Grade Two flat race for fillies and mares at Aintree's Grand National meeting, but if Mullenbeg was to turn up here, I don’t think she’d look out of place.
Paul Nicholls has the impressive Timeforatune entered up, but he usually saves his best bumper horses for Aintree. Fergal O’Brien could run unbeaten five-year-old Bonttay, who’s won twice around Cheltenham already this season.
Jamie Codd has ridden Fayonagh and Envoi Allen to victory in the Champion Bumper for Gordon Elliott. (Getty)
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have won the last five editions of the Champion Bumper between them and I’m struggling to see past their representative at the head of the market. Facile Vega has been mightily impressive on both his starts around Leopardstown and, given his dam is six-time Mares’ Hurdle winner Quevega, success around Cheltenham is engrained within his blood.
That being said, Facile Vega looks very much a speed horse to me. Leopardstown suits his style perfectly, but Cheltenham is far more testing, placing more emphasis on stamina, which may not suit the market leader. AMERICAN MIKE, on the other hand, looks an out-and-out galloper and I fancy him to come out on top when the two meet on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
Gordon Elliott’s star barely broke sweat when winning on his bumper debut at Down Royal, and the seven-length runner-up that day won on his following start. At Navan, Elliott's five-year-old romped to another impressive victory, finishing 17-lengths clear of Battling Bessie, who was touched off in the Graded bumper for mares at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Elliott is in love with American Mike, openly stating that his other flat racers, talented though they might be, aren’t in the same league as this five-year-old. I’ll be expecting Jamie Codd to ride American Mike confidently again and I’d like to see Facile Vega try to get away from this fella as they begin the climb for home.
While there are currently 31 runners entered up in this Grade One, I’m expecting the race to cut up significantly. The British trainers will most likely wait for Aintree and Irish trainers, who’ve already watched their runners get thrashed by Facile Vega, may choose to bypass Cheltenham and wait for easier assignments on home soil.
Paul Nolan has two very good young horses entered up and I’d be surprised if at least one of them didn’t run. His most likely runner is JOYEUX MACHIN, who was only beaten six lengths by Facile Vega over Christmas, having travelled into the race every bit as well as the winner before being tapped for toe in the closing stages.
Joyeux Machin then did well to win a messy bumper at Navan on his second start. Nolan’s youngster was bumped and barged around as the skirmish commenced around the bend. Barry O’Neill had to be patient and wait for a gap to open. Once it did, Joyeux Machin put the race to bed quickly and was well on top as the field crossed the line.
I doubt whether he’ll be able to serve up a challenge to Facile Vega or American Mike. There should, however, be at least one paid place to play for behind the leading duo and, at 25/1, I think Nolan’s five-year-old offers a decent amount of each way value.
Verdict
Cheltenham should suit the strong-staying American Mike and I'd rather back him against Facile Vega.
I'm also going to back Joyeux Machin each way, as 25/1 is too big a price for a horse with his form and ability.
2022 Champion Bumper Best Bet: American Mike Straight Win @10/3 at Hollywood bets - 15 Units
2022 Champion Bumper Value Bet: Joyeux Machin Each-Way @25/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
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