2022 Cheltenham Festival Champion Bumper Tips (4.50pm, Cheltenham Day 2)
The Champion Bumper is the sole flat race at the Cheltenham Festival which was incepted in 1992 and this year there is added spice after Sir Gerhard got moved to Willie Mullins’ yard.
It has often been a starting point for potential superstars such as Cue Card and Envoi Allen, who have both won the race in 2010 and 2019 respectively.
Cheveley Park has enjoyed recent success in the Champion Bumper, Ferny Hollow was superb in last year’s race and followed up Envoi Allen’s success from the previous year.
The last British winner of the bumper was Ballyandy in 2016, but the last four winners have been Irish-trained and Ireland will likely continue their dominance.
Champion Bumper Ante-post Betting Tip
The Irish have dominated this race in previous years, winning the last 5 in a row and look pretty much guaranteed to make it 6 on the bounce. This year’s renewal looks hotter than last year’s and performances from the 3 horses at the top of the market have all been electric.
Redemption Day has had just the one run in his career but could not have done it any better, he seems to be all speed. Patrick that day never had to ask him any questions and did everything with such ease.
His stable mate and market leader Facile Vega could not have impressed any more than he did last weekend in the DRF, the way he ran from the front, quickened up and then put a few lengths between him and the second Sandor Clegane who would himself is no mug pulling a long way clear of the third too. The action of Facile Vega, the way he hits ground with purpose shows he is a top-quality horse.
However, my pick is AMERICAN MIKE and I have been a huge fan of his this season. With the performance of Facile Vega over the weekend the selection is starting to be slightly overlooked.
American Mike started off life in winning a point to point and was then bought in the sales for £195k and has won his two bumpers with the ultimate ease, including last time out giving 7lbs and beating Battling Bessie by 17 lengths on the bridle, who has since come out last weekend and boosted the form in losing by a nose in a Grade 2 bumper at the DRF.
What is interesting is before Sir Gerhard moved from Gordons last year, this fella has followed the same path as the forementioned did and It has been made of no secret that the Elliot think he is a very special horse.
In an interview with Jamie Codd, he said, “American Mike will win by the length of the straight” and although he maybe exaggerating a little bit, you could sense that he is a special horse and when he is let loose, he will be very hard to beat indeed.
BETTING TIP: American Mike – 3/1 with Betfred.
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Champion Bumper Trends
- Age – 11 of the last 12 winners were aged 5 or 6.
- Price – 2 of the last 12 favorites winners were favourites, 5/12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting.
- Last Run – 12 of the last 12 winners won on their previous run before the Champion Bumper, 6/12 winners ran within the last 39 days.
- Previous Course Form – 2/12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 2/12 winners had 1 previous win at Cheltenham.
- Previous Distance Form – 11/12 winners had at least 1 run over 15-17 furlongs, 10/12 winners had at least 2 previous runs over 15-17 furlongs, 11/12 had a previous win over 15-17 furlongs.
- Previous NH Flat Form – 10/12 winners had at least 2 previous NH flat runs, 12/12 winners had at least 1 previous flat win.
- Rating – 12/12 winners were rated 118 or higher.
- Season Form – 12/12 winners had at least 1 run and 1 win that season.
Champion Bumper Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2009 | Dunguib | Brian O’Connell | Philip Fenton |
| 2010 | Cue Card | Joe Tizzard | Colin Tizzard |
| 2011 | Cheltenian | Richard Johnson | Phillip Hobbs |
| 2012 | Champagne Fever | P W Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 2013 | Briar Hill | Ruby Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2014 | Silver Concorde | Robbie McNamara | D K Weld |
| 2015 | Moon Racer | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 2016 | Ballyandy | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 2017 | Fayonagh | J J Codd | Gordon Elliott |
| 2018 | Relegate | Katie Walsh | Willie Mullins |
| 2019 | Envoi Allen | J J Codd | Gordon Elliott |
| 2020 | Ferny Hollow | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
Champion Bumper Result 2020
1st – Ferny Hollow (11/1)
2nd – Appreciate It (15/8)
3rd – Queens Brook (6/1)
4th – Third Time Lucki (16/1)
Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Tips
| Time | Race | Odds | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.30pm | N/A | Read | |
| 2.10pm | Bravemansgame | 9/4 | Read |
| 2.50pm | Gowel Road | 14/1 | Read |
| 3.30pm | Shishkin | 4/5 | Read |
| 4.10pm | Mortal | 12/1 | Read |
| 4.50pm | Before Midnight | 16/1 | Read |
| 5.30pm | American Mike | 3/1 | Read |