Weatherbys Champion Bumper |
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| Grade 1, Standard Open NH Flat Race Cheltenham 17:15 £60,000 added, 4-6yo, 2m 110y, Class 1  |
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| Wednesday 11th March 2015 | |
1 Moon Racer 9/2F
2 Modus 33/1
3 Wait For Me 9/1
4 Yanworth
16/1
NR: Pylonthepressure (IRE)
23 ran Distances: 1½l, 1½l, nk
TIME 3m 50.40s (slow by 7.40s)
Moon Racer wins the Champion Bumper for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore
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Moon Racer landed a monster gamble when running out a commanding length and a half winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham this afternoon.
The 9/2 favourite opened up at 11/2 but sustained support in the ring forced his price down a point and the gamble was justified as the David Pipe-trained gelding overcame a tardy start to storm up the hill to score from 33/1 shot Modus. Pipe admitted after the race that the slow start was not the plan.
"It didn't really go according to plan," said the trainer.
"It wasn't the idea to come from where he came from. Tom (Scudamore - jockey) sat where he had to sit - he had to really - and took the brave man's route down the inside. There's always a packed field in this type of race. The gaps appeared and then he quickened well. I'm a half pint empty kind of person so I wasn't confident after that start but up the straight I thought he might just stick on. Hopefully this fella's got a bright future. He put up a good performance in October but he needed to up his game today and he certainly has. There's no reason why he can't come back here next year as a novice hurdler. The form of this bumper is working out better and better each year and he's got an engine.
"It's great for Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew as they've supported me and we can't do it without the owners, the staff at home and everyone around us. It's a relief to get a winner - I told the owners to really savour the moment as they don't come round often and I don't think we ever appreciate them as much as we should."
Scudamore was visibly delighted with Moon Racer after the race.
"The tactics were forced upon me because of what happened at the start," admitted the jockey.
"Somebody got kicked earlier on so there was a bit of a delay and when the tapes went up, he just hesitated a bit. It's only his third ever run and he's never been in a start like that. From then on in, I just thought 'whatever happens, happens'. In the championship races here though, there are no hard luck stories. The best horse in the race usually wins and he was the best horse in the race. It makes a big difference to have the horse to do it underneath you. Even coming down the hill, I was two or three lengths back from where I wanted to be but all of a sudden it's opened for me. He's only been able to go through though as he's got the class to go through those gaps. He's six-years-old so whether that makes a difference or not, I don't know. It's great for Caroline and Bryan as they've been big supporters of Pond House for years now and he was bought to be sent here. He'd fulfilled their dreams and David has done it again.
"He was tough and he was brave - he's a true bumper champion. I love him - he's my favourite now!"
The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
(Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race)
£60,000 added, 4-6yo, 2m 110y, Class 1
23 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
| Pos | Dist | Horse SP | Jockey /Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Moon Racer (IRE) 9/2f | T Scudamore 11-5 |
D Pipe | 6 | |
| 2nd | 1½ | Modus 33/1 | T J O'Brien 11-5 |
Robert Stephens | 5 |
| 3rd | 1½ | Wait For Me (FR) 9/1 | R Johnson 11-5 |
P J Hobbs | 5 |
| 4th | nk | Yanworth 16/1 | A P McCoy 11-5 |
A King | 5 |
| 5th | 4 | Vigil (IRE) 8/1 | P J Smullen 11-5 |
D K Weld | 6 |
| 6th | hd | Supasundae 17/2 | J J Burke 11-5 |
H De Bromhead | 5 |
| 7th | 1¾ | Theo's Charm (IRE) 100/1 | Tom Cannon 11-5 |
N J Gifford | 5 |
| 8th | 1 | Montana Belle (IRE) 50/1 | Mr S Crawford 10-12 |
S R B Crawford | 5 |
| 9th | 4½ | Bay Of Freedom (IRE) 100/1 | N D Fehily 11-5 |
Peter Fahey | 6 |
| 10th | 1¾ | Bellshill (IRE) 14/1 | R Walsh 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
| 11th | 3 | General Principle (IRE) 9/1 | B J Cooper 11-5 |
G Elliott | 6 |
| 12th | 1 | Ghost River 40/1 | Sean Bowen 11-5 |
P Bowen | 5 |
| 13th | ½ | Au Quart De Tour (FR) 25/1 | D E Mullins 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
| 14th | 3 | Davy Doubt (IRE) 40/1 | G Sheehan 11-5 |
W Greatrex | 6 |
| 15th | ¾ | Livelovelaugh (IRE) 28/1 | Ms K Walsh 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
| 16th | 7 | O O Seven (IRE) 40/1 | B J Geraghty 11-5 |
N J Henderson | 5 |
| 17th | 3½ | Always Lion (IRE) 100/1 | D Bass 11-5 |
B Pauling | 5 |
| 18th | ½ | Up For Review (IRE) 40/1 | D J Casey 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 6 |
| 19th | 3½ | Stone Hard (IRE) 10/1 | P Townend 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
| 20th | 5 | Western Way (IRE) 66/1 | D F O'Regan 11-5 |
D E Cantillon | 6 |
| 21st | 13 | Jetstream Jack (IRE) 14/1 | D J Condon 11-5 |
G Elliott | 5 |
| 22nd | 23 | Neatly Put 150/1 | D G Hogan 11-5 |
Denis Hogan | 5 |
| PU | Bordini (FR) 7/1 | Mr P W Mullins 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 5 | |
| NR | Pylonthepressure (IRE) | D J Mullins 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
Stephens' Modus operandi seems to work
Modus, a son of Motivator and carrying the colours of Al Kazeem's owner John Deer, ran a tremendous race to finish runner-up.
It was the five-year-old's first appearance since he finished unplaced at Aintree in April, a run that followed an eighth-place finish in this race 12 months ago. Given the absence credit must go to his trainer, Monmouthshire-based Robert Stephens.
A 33/1 shot ridden by Tom O'Brien, Modus finished a length and a half behind the David Pipe-trained winner Moon Racer, a £225,000 purchase at Brightwells' Cheltenham Sale in April last year.
Stephens said: "I'm delighted, because he's a very nice horse and he's been working well at home. He's more relaxed this year, and that's helped him today.
"We couldn't run him this season before today because he had taken part in four bumpers so was on the limit allowed, but fitness-wise I knew he was spot on. It was a pity the start was a little ragged, because it meant he was slightly further back than I expected and the winner got first run on us. It's the sort of thing that can happen in this race.
"I knew he would fly up the hill. He has a couple of options - he could run on the Flat or we could keep him for hurdling next season."
Stephens also trains JCB Triumph Hurdle hope Beltor, of whom he said: "He's in great form and I'm just hoping for a good run on Friday. He doesn't work with Modus because they are very similar horses, so they each have a lead horse."
Modus's jockey, Tom O'Brien, said: "He has given me a great spin and he has stayed on really well. He settled nicely and kept going. It's a great training performance by Robert."
Third-placed Wait For Me, trained by Philip Hobbs, was ridden by Richard Johnson, who said: "He travelled really well, stayed and kept going all the way to the line. He is a really nice horse. He has just been beaten by the better horse on the day that showed a good turn of foot. He is having just his second run of his life so he will mature and develop into an even better horse. To finish third in the Champion Bumper on just your second start is a brilliant effort. He is a horse we will look forward to going novice hurdling with next year."
WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER PAST RESULTS
2014-SILVER CONCORD 6-11-05 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Mr Robbie
McNamara; SP-16/1
2ND-Shaneshill 5-11-05 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/2 Fav
3RD-Joshua Lane 5-11-01 Owner-Stanley Watson; Trainer-Eddie Harty IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-33/1
22 ran, Time-3m 43.40s Dist-1½, 1¾
2013-WINNER-BRIAR HILL 5-11-05 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-25/1
2ND-Regal Encore 5-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Anthony Honeyball; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-7/1 Jt Fav
3RD-Golantilla 5-11-01 Owner-Barry Connell; Trainer-Tony Martin IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-9/1
23 ran, Time-3m 54.7s Dist-7, 2¼ 7/1 Jt Fav Le Vent D’Antan (7th)
2012-WINNER-CHAMPAGNE FEVER 5-11-05 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Patrick Mullins; SP-16/1
2ND-New Year’s Eve 4-10-11 Owner-Bloomfields; Trainer-John Ferguson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2 Fav
3RD-Pique Sous 5-11-05 Owner-Supreme Horse Racing Club; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-12/1
20 ran, Time-3m 47.50s Dist-1¼, hd
2011-WINNER-CHELTENIAN 5-11-05 Owner-Roger Brookhouse; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-14/1
2ND Destroyer Deployed 5-11-05 Owner-The Craftsmen; Trainer-Tim Vaughan; Jockey-Aidan Coleman; SP-66/1
3RD Aupcharlie 5-11-05 Owner-Gerard Boyle; Trainer-Pat Collins IRE; Jockey- Mr Jason McKeown; SP-33/1
24 ran, Time-3m 51.85s Dist-5, 4½ 5/1 Fav Ericht (6th)
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
