Options aplenty for Mullins in Champion Bumper

The Champion Bumper was established at the Cheltenham Festival back in 1992 when it was originally put as the final race of the entire week. This created a unique point in history when the winner Montelado went onto win back to back races as the Supreme Novices Hurdle was the first race of the following year’s Festival.

Notable winners include multiple Grade One winner Florida Pearl and the unbeaten Monsignor, whose career was sadly cut short due to injury. More recently, the likes of Cue Card, who won at a scarcely believable 40/1 and Cheltenham specialist Champagne Fever, one of eight winners for Willie Mullins, have been victorious in the Bumper.

Like the majority of next week’s Festival, yet again Mullins has a stranglehold near the head of the market with the Rich Ricci owned pair of Bordini (7/1 favourite with Coral) and Pylonthepressure (10/1).

Both have looked impressive in previous bumpers wins, the former taking two at Punchestown and a Listed contest at Navan by 6 1/2 lengths in easy fashion. The latter beat the highly regarded Space Cadet in style by 8 1/2 lengths. Mullins’ son Patrick will have a difficult decision choosing between the pair, as both look uncomplicated to ride and will both get further.

Mullins also has other entries including Au Quart De Tour (12/1), Stone Hard and Bellshill. The first two have big reputations and similar profiles, having both won their Point to Points impressively before each landing bumpers, the latter having won two.

The concern with Au Quart De Tour is whether he actually travels over, as Mullins has reported him not being a well horse lately whilst Stone Hard could be one of the first ever to represent Gigginstown, having relaxed their rules on having runners in the race.

Bellshill (20/1) looks the likely representative for Graham Wylie, with Up For Review disappointing recently behind Tycoon Prince. He was beaten over Christmas by another intended runner Vigil when attempting to make all at Leopardstown on testing ground.