Champion Bumper

The Champion Bumper is the last race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. Details for the Champion Bumper change slightly because the race is one of the few National Hunt flat races on the schedule for the Cheltenham Festival.

The details for the Champion Bumper are fairly basic; the race covers a distance of just over two miles and is open to horses of four to six-years-old. Weight requirements vary from ten stones and 12 pounds for four-year-olds to 11 stones and 5 pounds for five and six-year-olds.

First Race of the Champion Bumper

The first race of the Champion Bumper came in 1992 when the race was inaugurated into the Cheltenham Festival. Montelado won the 1992 race with Richard Dunwoody as the jockey and Pat Flynn as the trainer.

The Champion Bumper changed in title from the Festive Bumper in 1997. Weatherbys started sponsoring the race and thought that the Champion Bumper would be a more appropriate title.

Champion Bumper Winners

The race has been a platform for many Champion Bumper winners to go on and achieve bigger and better things. The Champion Bumper is one of the best flat races on the National Hunt calendar.

Leading jockeys and trainers often save their best rides and horses for this race because the field is possibly the most competitive for any National Hunt flat race.

Champion Bumper Record Holders

There are only four Champion Bumper record holders which makes titles from the race extremely rare and prestigious. Only three jockeys have ever ridden more than one winner in the race; Richard Dunwoody (Montelado and Florida Pearl), Paul Carberry (Rhythm Section and Hairy Molly) and Charlie Swan (Mucklemeg and Joe Cullen). 

Willie Mullins is the stand out individual of all the Champion Bumper record holders. Mullins has trained six winners in the history of the race; Wither or Which, Florida Pearl, Alexander Banquet, Joe Cullen, Missed That and Cousin Vinny. Few other trainers in National Hunt racing hold a title for having six winners in a single race.

Money in the Champion Bumper

Money in the Champion Bumper has always been a debated and contentious issue. The prize money in the champion Bumper 2010 was £60,000 which is a relatively small amount when compared to other races at the Cheltenham Festival. 

The Champion Bumper is the last race on Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival. Therefore, it is the last race for members of the public to make back on losses they may have suffered throughout the day at the Cheltenham Festival.

Champion Bumper Betting 

Champion Bumper betting seems to be dominated a little more by clear favourites than many of the National Hunt jump races at the Cheltenham Festival. The reason for this is because there are no jumps in the Champion Bumper.  

There are fewer ways for the stronger horses in the Champion Bumper to make mistakes and due to this Champion Bumper betting is a little more one sided and easier to predict.