Champion Bumper Tips

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The Champion Bumper is the final race run on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. That falls on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 and the official starting time is 5:20pm. 

One of the more unique races during the Cheltenham Festival, the Champion Bumper is a flat race for prospective jumpers which often perform well over the hurdles or steeplechase later in their careers. 

Holding a Grade 1 status, the Champion Bumper might be worth only £75,000, but it has produced the likes of Cue Card and Florida Pearl, which both went on to win other top races during the festival. 

It also gives the flat jockeys a chance to ride up in the weights and bettors love having a flutter on the exciting Champion Bumper.

Champion Bumper Best Bookmakers & Free Bets

Have a look at which of the bookmaker special offers you can use in the Champion Bumper or which Cheltenham Festival free bets you can use on the race:

Day 2 Cheltenham Festival Free Bets 2025

BookmakerFree BetOffer / Promo CodeClaim Free Bet
Bet €10, Get €70 (IRELAND ONLY)Code: BET10GET70CLAIM BONUS
£10 Free BetCode: NEWBONUS£10 REFUND
Up to £40 Money Back+ £10 Casino BonusBet £40
Up to £100 refundCode: NEWBONUSGET REFUNDED
Bet £10 Get £20Cheltenham BonusGet £/€20
Get £35 BonusCode: NEWBONUSGet £35
$25,000 Podium Prize PoolCode: MAXBONUSENTER THE DRAW

Champion Bumper 2025 Betting Tips


You can find our final Champion Bumper tips on this page ahead of the race.

Champion Bumper Key Facts


DateWednesday March 12, 2025
Time5:20pm
TrackCheltenham
Distance2m 1/2f
StatusGrade 1
Prize Money£75,000
Age4-6YO

Champion Bumper Winners


Willie Mullins has a great record producing flat winners which eventually become jumping stars. Mullins has lined up nine winners of the Champion Bumper, easily putting him at the top of the Champion Bumper winners’ list. 

The Champion Bumper past winners include famous names and despite being a relatively new race on the Cheltenham Festival card, it has become one of the must-see races. 

Year
Champion Bumper Winners
2023Jasmin De Vaux
2023A Dream To Share
2022Facile Vega
2021Sir Gerhard
2020Ferny Hollow
2019Envoi Allen
2018Relegate
2017Fayonagh
2016Ballyandy
2015Moon Racer
2014Silver Concorde
2013Briar Hill
2012Champagne Fever
2011Cheltenian
2010Cue Card
2009Dunguib
2008Cousin Vinny
2007Cork All Star
2006Hairy Molly
2005Missed That
2004Total Enjoyment
2003Liberman
2002Pizarro
2001no race
2000Joe Cullen
1999Monsignor
1998Alexander Banquet

Champion Bumper History


The first Champion Bumper was held in 1992 when being taken out by Montelado for trainer Pat Flynn and jockey Richard Dunwoody. 

It’s the most prestigious flat race on the National Hunt calendar and the winner often goes on to have a storied career over the jumps.  

Having had many sponsors, including Weatherbys, Tote and Guinness, it is now called the Champion Bumper and it has been a successful race for the Irish runners. The Irish have dominated the Champion Bumper, mostly due to Willie Mullins but punters should look for the Irish runners. 

Ruby Walsh has scored three wins in the Champion Bumper and his last win came in 2013 with Briar Hill, but one of the more famous wins in the Champion Bumper came in 2018 when Katie Walsh scored her third Cheltenham Festival win. 

The 2015 Irish Grand National winner brought the house down when scoring aboard the Willie Mullins-trained runner in 2018 and it was a popular win with punters. 

Flat jockey Jamie Spencer scored a win in 2002 with Pizarro, showing that the flat jockeys can have success during the carnival. 

In 1996, Willie Mullins became the only man to train and ride the winner of the Champion Bumper with Wither or Which.

Mullins has trained many winners of the Champion Bumper since then, with his most recent success coming in 2020, when Ferny Hallow outstayed stablemate Appreciate It to give Mullins a 1-2.

Champion Bumper FAQs

When is the Champion Bumper?

The Cheltenham Champion Bumper is the seventh and final race on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday, March 12th.

What time is the Cheltenham Champion Bumper?

The 2025 Cheltenham Champion Bumper is due off at 5.20pm on Wednesday, March 12th.

Who will win the Cheltenham Champion Bumper?

Our Cheltenham betting tips have been carefully selected by seasoned Cheltenham pundits and horse racing experts. They're free, so check them out if you're not sure who to bet on in the Champion Bumper.