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Weatherbys Champion Bumper |
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Grade 1, Standard Open NH Flat Race Cheltenham 17:20 £80,000 guaranteed, 4-6yo, 2m 87y, Class 1 ![]() |
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David Pipe’s contender, Windbeneathmywings, is being prepared for the Cheltenham Festival after a dominant Listed bumper win at Ascot in December.
🪽David Pipe on Windbeneathmywings
— Ginger Joe Racing & Golf (@GingerJoeRacing) January 27, 2025
“He did a lovely piece of work at home so we were hopeful of a big run at Ascot, but we couldn’t have dreamt of a performance like that. We’re go to Cheltenham and then hopefully to Punchestown after that”
pic.twitter.com/8vB8MYEtms
The five-year-old, formerly trained by Patrick Flynn in Ireland, impressed on his debut for Pipe, cruising to a 14-length victory in a race featuring multiple bumper winners.
This performance propelled him into contention for this, where he now shares favouritism with Gordon Elliott’s Kalypsochance. Eligibility rules, limiting entrants to three starts (or four if one was in a Listed/Graded race), prevent him from running again before Cheltenham.
Pipe confirmed the focus is now solely on March, saying, “He’s very well… it’s straight to Cheltenham.”
Gameofinches catapulted himself to the head of the market with a commanding victory at Punchestown on February 20, rounding off a Willie Mullins treble in some style.
Sporting the silks of Professor Caroline Tisdall—also part-owner of Windbeneathmywings, Britain’s leading hope—the imposing six-year-old was backed as if defeat was out of the question, sent off the 8-15 favourite under Patrick Mullins.
And he duly delivered, sauntering into contention before effortlessly putting daylight between himself and his toiling rivals, coasting home by four and a quarter lengths.
Bookmakers reacted swiftly, installing him as short as 3-1 for the Champion Bumper, leapfrogging stablemate Copacabana at the head of the betting.
Mullins was more than satisfied: “He did what I was hoping he would. He’s been showing plenty at home, and he’s done the same on the track.”
With Cheltenham now firmly on the agenda, his trainer is taking a patient approach: “He’s a big horse, so we’ll see how he comes out of the race. He’s got a nice temperament, which will help for the trip over.”
Looking further ahead, Gameofinches has all the hallmarks of a future chaser: “Whether we go hurdling or straight over fences next season, we’ll see, but he’s a proper chasing type.”
For now, though, all roads lead to Prestbury Park, where he looks set to take plenty of stopping.
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
(Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race)
£80,000 guaranteed, 4-6yo, 2m 87y, Class 1
36 POSSIBLE entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY (Form as of Feb 20)
1 14 Amen Kate 5 - Thomas Cooper
2 111 Bambino Fever 5 - W P Mullins
3 2113 Carrigmoornaspruce 5 - Declan Queally
4 113 Classical Creek 5 - Gordon Elliott
5 1-7 Drop A Threat 6 - 2 W P Mullins
6 1-1 El Cairos 5 - Gary & Josh Moore
7 1-11 Final Demand 6 - W P Mullins
8 U2-214 Fortune De Mer 5 - Dan Skelton
9 1-17 Full Confession 5 - W P Mullins
10 1-15 Future Prospect 5 - W P Mullins
11 4-15 Green Splendour 5 - W P Mullins
12 1-13 He Can't Dance 5 - Gordon Elliott
13 4-16 I Started A Joke 6 - C Byrnes
14 1/113- Jalon d'Oudairies 6 - Gordon Elliott
15 1-11 Kalypso'chance 5 - Gordon Elliott
16 1-2 Keops Des Bordes 5 - Dan Skelton
17 1 Kilwaughter 5 - S R B Crawford
18 1-144 Koktail Brut 5 - Gordon Elliott
19 11 Kovanis 5 - Gordon Elliott
20 1 Ksar Fatal 5 - W P Mullins
21 1- Life Goes On 5 - Sam Curling
22 1 Light Up The Dark 4 - Joseph O'Brien
23 U-134 Ma Jacks Hill 5 - Gordon Elliott
24 1 Minella Premier 5 - Nicky Henderson
25 1-1 No Drama This End 5 - Paul Nicholls
26 1- On The Bayou 5 - Sean Thomas Doyle
27 1- Quantum Boy 6 - Jonathan M. Fogarty
28 Ravendark 4 - Gordon Elliott
29 F-1 Rock On By 5 - Paul Nolan
30 11 Scope To Improve 5 - Henry De Bromhead
31 2141 Seo Linn 5 - P Twomey
32 2122 Sortudo 5 - W P Mullins
33 1-22 Theflyingking 5 - Gordon Elliott
34 15 William Butler 5 - Gordon Elliott
35 1211 Windbeneathmywings 5 - David Pipe
36 2-5 You Proof 5 - W P Mullins
WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER PAST RESULTS
Winner Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP Ran
2024 Jasmin De Vaux 5 11-07 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 9/2 19
2023 A Dream To Share 5 11-07 John P McManus John E Kiely Mr J L Gleeson 7/2 21
2022 Facile Vega 5 11-05 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 15/8F 20
2021 Sir Gerhard 6-11-05 Cheveley Park Stud W P Mullins Rachael Blackmore 85/40 14
2020 Ferny Hollow 5-11-05 Cheveley Park Stud W P Mullins Paul Townend 11/1 23
2019 Envoi Allen 5-11-05 Cheveley Park Stud Gordon Elliott IRE Mr Jamie Codd 2/1F 14
2018-WINNER-WINNER-RELEGATE 5-10-12 Owner-Paul McKeon; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ms Katie Walsh; 25/1
2ND-Carefully Selected 6-11-05 Owner-Miss M A Masterson; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-6/1
3RD-Tornado Flyer 5-11-05 Owner-T F P; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-14/1
23 ran, Time-4m 4.30s Dist-nk, 3¼ 9/2 Fav Acey Milan (4th)
2017-WINNER-FAYONAGH 6-10-12 Owner-Mrs M Gittins; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Mr Jamie Codd; SP-7/1
2ND-Debuchet 4-10-11 Owner-Force Eight Syndicate; Trainer-Mags Mullins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-10/1
3RD-Claimantakinforgan 5-11-05 Owner-Grech & Parkin; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Nico de Boinville; SP-22/1
22 ran, Time-3m 51.10s Dist-1¼, 1½ 9/2 Fav Cause Toujours (9th)
2016-WINNER-BALLYANDY 5-11-05 Owner-Options O Syndicate; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-5/1
2ND-Battleford 5-11-05 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mikey Fogarty; SP-25/1
3RD-Bacardys 5-11-05 Owner-Shanakiel Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-16/1
23 ran, Time-3m 47.70s Dist-ns, 2 7/2 Fav Augusta Kate (7th)
2015-WINNER-MOON RACER 6-11-05 Owner-Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-9/2 Fav
2ND-Modus 5-11-05 Owner-John Deer; Trainer-Robert Stephens; Jockey-Tom O’Brien; SP-33/1
3RD-Wait For Me 5-11-05 Owner-Andrew Cohen; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-9/1
23 ran, Time-3m 50.40s Dist-1½, 1½
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