cheltenham festival / 2011 news /

Bumper Joy for Cheltenian
16/03/11

1 Cheltenian 14/1
2 Destroyer Deployed 66/1
3 Aupcharlie 33/1
24 ran Distances: 5l, 4½l, 4½l
TIME 3m 51.85s (slow by 8.85s)

With six winners on the board for Ireland on Ladies Day at Cheltenham, it took the English duo of Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson to halt the whitewash by winning the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Cheltenian
© Grossick Racing Photography

A £210,000 purchase at Brightwells’ Cheltenham Sale in November 2010, 14/1 shot Cheltenian struck by five lengths from the Welsh-trained Destroyer Deployed.

Trainer Philip Hobbs, who also sent out yesterday’s Arkle Chase winner Captain Chris, said: “He’s always impressed me and we were delighted when he won at Kempton.

“I certainly think there’s more to come. He’s definitely going to want a trip. He’s a real tough horse. If he ends up here next March I’d say it’s almost certain he would go for either the Neptune [Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle, 2m5f] or the Albert Bartlett [Novices’ Hurdle, 3m].”

Winning jockey Richard Johnson said: “His form was pretty strong but you never know in this race. He was very strong and galloped right to the line.

“There are very few form lines coming into a race like this and they can all look like superstars as most of the runners have won or finished second in decent bumpers.”

He added: “I was hopeful he’d run a good race off a decent pace and a stiff track was always going to suit him. He’s a really big, strong horse and before he came over to this country from Ireland he was obviously given plenty of time to mature.”

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Cheltenian P J Hobbs	R Johnson 11st 5lbs	14 - 1 Winner
2	Destroyer Deployed Tim Vaughan	A Coleman 11st 5lbs	66 - 1 5 lengths
3	Aupcharlie P E Collins	Mr J P McKeown 11st 5lbs	33 - 1 4 1/2 lengths
4	Go All The Way N A Twiston-Davies	P J Brennan 11st 5lbs	16 - 1 4 1/2 lengths
5	Cinders And Ashes D McCain Jnr	J M Maguire 10st 12lbs	14 - 1 1 3/4 length
6	Ericht N J Henderson	B J Geraghty 11st 5lbs	5 - 1 Short Head
7	Divine Rhapsody P J Rothwell	P Carberry 11st 5lbs	13 - 2 3/4 length
8	Cousin Khee H Morrison	S Thomas 10st 12lbs	33 - 1 3/4 length
9	Oscar Magic N A Twiston-Davies	S Twiston-Davies 10st 12lbs	12 - 1 1 length
10	The Tracey Shuffle D Pipe	T Scudamore 11st 5lbs	50 - 1 1/2 length
11	Double Double C O'Brien	Mr Paul J McMahon 11st 5lbs	20 - 1 1/2 length
12	Saint Luke P Bowen	T J O'Brien 11st 5lbs	66 - 1 Neck
13	Star Neuville J J Hanlon	A P McCoy 11st 5lbs	14 - 1 6 lengths
14	Dark Glacier C Grant	D F O'Regan 11st 5lbs	50 - 1 4 1/2 lengths
15	Tusa Eire W P Mullins	R Walsh 11st 5lbs	20 - 1 1 3/4 length
16	Knockalongi O Sherwood	L Aspell 11st 5lbs	100 - 1 7 lengths
17	Dynamic Approach E U Hales	Mr R P McNamara 11st 5lbs	33 - 1 7 lengths
18	Bygones In Brid A King	R Thornton 11st 5lbs	20 - 1 1 3/4 length
19	Knight Pass W J Greatrex	W Hutchinson 11st 5lbs	7 - 1 60 lengths
20	Master Murphy Mrs J Walton	Alistair Findlay 11st 5lbs	100 - 1 12 lengths
21	Felix Yonger J Howard Johnson	B Hughes 11st 5lbs	66 - 1 11 lengths
22	Raise The Beat C A Murphy	Mr M P Fogarty 11st 5lbs	8 - 1 21 lengths
23	Twentyfourcarat Ian Williams	T J Murphy 11st 5lbs	25 - 1 5 lengths
Pulled Up	Lord Gale W P Mullins	Mr P W Mullins 11st 5lbs	20 - 1

VAUGHAN OVER THE MOON WITH DESTROYER

Destroyer Deployed was up with the pace for much of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and only found the successful Cheltenian too good in the closing stages.

The Tim Vaughan-trained Destroyer Deployed, a winner of his two races en route to Cheltenham, was sent off at 66/1 for the closing event on day two of the Festival.

But he made a mockery of those odds by finishing a five-length second, much to the delight of Welsh trainer Vaughan.

Vaughan said: “I am over the moon and he is tough as teak.

“That was a serious run to lay up with the pace all of the way round and he has done nothing but improve since coming over from Ireland.

“He had won both of his races before today and has stepped up in grade.

“He was third in a point-to-point so we know he jumps and we’ll now give him a summer at grass and decide what to do.

“Al Ferof was second in this race last year and won the Supreme Novices’ yesterday so who knows what will happen.”

WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER PAST RESULTS

2010-WINNER-CUE CARD 4-10-12 Owner-Jean Bishop; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-40/1
2ND Al Ferof 5-11-05 Owner-John Hales; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-8/1
3RD Frawley 5-11-05 Owner-Dr K A Roche-Nagle; Trainer-John Kiely IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-14/1 24 ran, Time-3m 48.70s Dist-8, 8 3/1 Fav Shot From The Hip (20th)

2009-WINNER-DUNGUIB 6-11-05 Owner-Daniel Harnett; Trainer-Philip Fenton IRE; Jockey-Mr Brian O’Connell; SP-9/2
2ND Some Present 6-11-05 Owner-Frances Duffin; Trainer-Tom Mullins IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-25/1
3RD Rite Of Passage 5-11-05 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Pat Smullen; SP-5/2 Fav 24 ran, Time-3m 56.90s Dist-10, ¾

2008-WINNER-COUSIN VINNY 5-11-05 Owner-Festival Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Patrick Mullins; SP-12/1
2ND Corskeagh Royale 5-11-05 Owner-Queen Maeve Racing Club; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-7/1
3RD Zaarito 6-11-05 Owner-Victoria Syndicate; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-3/1 Fav
23 ran, Time-4m 1.30s Dist-3¼, ¾

2007-WINNER-CORK ALL STAR 5-11-05 Owner-Cathal Ryan; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-11/2
2ND Sophocles 4-10-11 Owner-Mrs A Donnelly; Trainer-James Leavy IRE; Jockey-Miss Pauline Ryan; SP-40/1
3RD Aranleigh 5-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Tony Mullins IRE; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-8/1
24 ran, Time-3m 47.90s Dist-1¼, 1½ 4/1 Fav Mad Fish (8th)

2006-WINNER-HAIRY MOLLY 6-11-05 Owner-F T B Syndicate; Trainer-Joe Crowley IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-33/1
2ND Pressgang 4-10-11 Owner-Mrs Anthony West; Trainer-Paul Webber; Jockey-Tom Doyle; 20/1
3RD Kicks For Free 5-11-05 Owner-Mark Tincknell; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-5/1
23 ran, Time-3m 46.70s Dist-hd, 1.75 5/2 Fav Equus Maximus (12th)

2005-WINNER-MISSED THAT 6-11-05 Owner-Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND De Soto 4-10-12 Owner-Peter Deal; Trainer-Paul Webber; Jockey-Tom Doyle; SP-20/1
3RD Rasharrow 6-11-05 Owner-Ashleybank Investments Limited; Trainer-Len Lungo; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-9/1
24 ran, Time-3m 52.70s Dist-nk, .5

2004-WINNER-TOTAL ENJOYMENT 5-10-12 Owner-It Will Never Last Syndicate; Trainer-Tommy Cooper IRE; Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP-7/1
2ND Refinement 5-10-12 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
3RD Master Albert 6-10-12 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-David Wachman IRE; Jockey-Mr J P Magnier; SP-50/1
24 ran, Time-3m 48.30s Dist-2.5, 5 7/2 Fav Martinstown (14th)

2003-WINNER-LIBERMAN 5-11-06 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND Trabolgan 5-11-06 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Seamus Durack; SP-50/1
3RD Widemouth Bay 5-11-06 Owner-Jackie Deithrick; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-33/1
25 ran, Time-3m 52.30s Dist-.5, 1

2002-WINNER-PIZARRO 5-11-06 Owner-Edward Wallace; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-14/1
2ND-Rhinestone Cowboy 6-11-06 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Back In Front 5-11-06 Owner-Nelius Hayes; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-12/1
23 ran, Time-4m 0.70s; Dist-nk, 3.5

2001-Race Cancelled

2000-WINNER-JOE CULLEN 5-11-06 Owner-Jackie Mullins; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-14/1
2ND-Inca 5-11-06 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-Be My Royal 5-11-06 Owner-Mrs Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr James Nash; SP-16/1
17 ran, Time-3m 41.20s, Dist-3.5, 2

1999-MONSIGNOR 5-11-06 Owner-Malcolm Denmark; Trainer-Mark Pitman; Jockey-Brendan Powell; SP-50/1
2ND-Golden Alpha 5-11-06 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-7/2
3RD-Canasta 5-10-13 Owner-Southern Brick & Tile Co./D S Arnold; Trainer-Mark Pitman; Jockey-Liam Corcoran; SP-25/1
25 ran, Time-3m 54.8s, Dist-1.5, .75 11/4 Fav Biliverdin (15th)

1998-WINNER-ALEXANDER BANQUET 5-11-06 Owner-M Swarbrick; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Ruby Walsh; SP-9/1
2ND-Joe Mac 4-10-12; Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-6/4 Fav
3RD-Frantic Tan 6-11-06; Owner-The Bunkers Hill Mob; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-8/1
25 ran, Time-3m 45.7s, Dist-2.5, 7

1997-WINNER-FLORIDA PEARL 5-11-06 Owner-Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-6/1
2ND-Arctic Camper 5-11-06 Owner-Lady Harris; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-16/1
3RD-All The Colours 4-10-12 Owner-Pat Byrnes; Trainer-John Mulhern IRE; Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-8/1
25 ran, Time-3m 45.1s, Dist-5, 2 4/1 Fav Dawn Leader (13th)

1996-WINNER-WITHER OR WHICH 5-11-06 Owner-Robert Sinclair; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Willie Mullins; SP-11/4
2ND-Alzulu 5-11-06 Owner-D Buckle; Trainer-Jimmy FitzGerald; Jockey-Peter Niven; SP-25/1
3RD-Mighty Moss 5-10-13 Owner-Ken Hutsby; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Mr Fred Hutsby; SP-33/1
24 ran, Time-3m 53.7s, Dist-2, 3 9/4 Fav Andanito (4th)

1995-WINNER-DATO STAR 4-10-12 Owner-Kath Riley & Joe Donald; Trainer-Malcolm Jefferson; Jockey-Mark Dwyer; SP-7/2
2ND-Red Blazer 4-10-12 Owner-Tom Shrimpton; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Jamie Osborne SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-Skehanagh Bridge 6-11-06 Owner-David Pim; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Willie Mullins; SP-12/1
21 Ran, Time-4m 02.2s. Dist-1.25, 3.5

1994-WINNER-MUCKLEMEG 6-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edward O'Grady IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND-Aries Girl 5-11-03 Owner-Wally Sturt; Trainer-Pat Flynn IRE; Jockey-Shay Barry; SP-5/1
3RD-Go Ballistic 5-11-03 Owner-Sheila Lockhart; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Robert Massey; SP-16/1
25 Ran, Time-3m 53.7s, Dist-3, 15

1993-WINNER-RHYTHM SECTION 4-10-11 Owner-Robert Sinclair; Trainer-Homer Scott IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-16/1
2ND-Heist 4-11-02 Owner-Mrs G Matthews; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-9/4 Fav
3RD-Winter Belle 5-11-13 Owner-John Muldoon; Trainer-Paddy Prendergast IRE; Jockey-John Shortt; SP-7/1
24 Ran, Time-3m 45.2s, Dist-.5, 1

1992-WINNER-MONTELADO 5-11-13 Owner-Ollie Hannon; Trainer-Pat Flynn IRE; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-8/1
2ND-Tiananmen Square 4-10-12 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Mr Tim Hyde; SP-6/4 Fav
3RD-Maneree 5-11-08 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Neville Callaghan; Jockey-Declan Murphy; SP-7/1
23 Ran, Time-3m 58.2s, Dist-12, 10

WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER FACTS & FIGURES

The first winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper was Montelado, who achieved what is thought to be the unique feat of winning two consecutive Festival races. The Bumper, now run on Wednesday, was originally the last race of The Festival. Montelado went on to win the opening race of the The Festival in 1993, the Stan James Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Irish-trained runners have a great record in the race, accounting for 14 of the 18 winners. Willie Mullins has incredibly saddled six winners -he also rode his first winner of the race, the 1996 scorer Wither Or Which, while his son Patrick was in the saddle when Cousin Vinny won for the stable in 2008.

The four horses to have kept the trophy at home were Dato Star in 1995, Monsignor, who sprang a 50/1 surprise in 1999, Liberman, who gave Martin Pipe his first and only win in the race in 2003, and last year’s 40/1 winner Cue Card.