| Date | Time | Class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 12th March 2025 | 17:20 | Grade 1 | 2m 87yds |
The Champion Bumper is the solitary National Hunt flat race run at the Cheltenham Festival, covering a stayer’s distance of 2 miles 110 yards.
2025 Champion Bumper Preview
One of the Cheltenham Festival’s most unpredictable races has produced the usual collection of entries with sparse form data.
This is highlighted by the favourite, Copacabana, who starts the race as favourite thanks to a single win achieved at Navan over a distance 3 furlongs short of what he’ll run on Wednesday.
By comparison Bambino Fever is a relative veteran, winning a Grade 2 National Hunt flat race last time out, and with three wins beneath his belt over his short career. At 9/2 he’s a decent option.
Kalypso’chance has a similar record. He’s won all three of his races to date, including his point to point debut. His most recent win was over 2 miles at Navan in a Listed race. At 11/2 he’s the best value of the leading contenders for this race.
12.03.2025
Good to Soft (Good in places (XC))
18
2m 87y
Result
| POS | Dist | Runners |
|---|---|---|
| 1 st |
Bambino Fever
J : Miss J Townend
T : W P Mullins
SP : 4/1
WGT : 69
|
|
| 2 nd | 1.5 |
Heads Up
J : S Bowen
T : J C McConnell
SP : 33/1
WGT : 73
|
| 3 rd | 1.5 |
Shuttle Diplomacy
J : D Meyler
T : T Cooper
SP : 66/1
WGT : 73
|
| 4 th | hd |
Caballero Cliff
J : Ben Jones
T : R Stephens
SP : 150/1
WGT : 68
|
| 5 th | 1.75 |
El Cairos
J : Mr D Maxwell
T : G & J Moore
SP : 28/1
WGT : 73
|
| 6 th | 1.5 |
Idaho Sun
J : Bryan Carver
T : H Fry
SP : 18/1
WGT : 73
|
| 7 th | 0.5 |
Sortudo
J : D E Mullins
T : W P Mullins
SP : 33/1
WGT : 73
|
| 8 th | 1.25 |
He Can’t Dance
J : Mr Harry Swan
T : G Elliott
SP : 33/1
WGT : 73
|
| 9 th | 0.75 |
No Drama This End
J : H Cobden
T : P F Nicholls
SP : 12/1
WGT : 73
|
| 10 th | 1 |
Copacabana
J : Mr P W Mullins
T : W P Mullins
SP : 9/2
WGT : 73
|
| 11 th | hd |
Kalypso’chance
J : Danny Gilligan
T : G Elliott
SP : 5/2
WGT : 73
|
| 12 th | nse |
Gameofinches
J : P Townend
T : W P Mullins
SP : 6/1
WGT : 73
|
| 13 th | 0.75 |
I Started A Joke
J : P Byrnes
T : C Byrnes
SP : 33/1
WGT : 73
|
| 14 th | 1.25 |
Fortune De Mer
J : Harry Skelton
T : D Skelton
SP : 20/1
WGT : 73
|
| 15 th | 6.5 |
Dalston Lad
J : Tristan Durrell
T : D Skelton
SP : 66/1
WGT : 73
|
| 16 th | nk |
Lancelot Allen
J : David Noonan
T : Mrs J Williams
SP : 200/1
WGT : 68
|
| 17 th | 65 |
Aqua Force
J : M P Walsh
T : W P Mullins
SP : 11/1
WGT : 69
|
Champion Bumper Tips
*Note: Betting tips are only displayed on the day of the race.
| Nap | 
Time
|
Racecourse
|
Tipster
|
Best odds |
|---|
Indicated odds were updated on 2025-03-20 4:38:54 UTC. Please note that
odds are subject to change.
Tips cannot guarantee betting success. Review tipsters performance and bet responsibly.
Tips cannot guarantee betting success. Review tipsters performance and bet responsibly.
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About the Champion Bumper
The Champion Bumper is the only Grade 1 flat race in UK National Hunt racing. The race is run over a distance of 2 miles and half a furlong on the Cheltenham Old Course and is the last race on the card for the second day of the Festival. Entry to the race is restricted to horses aged 4- to 6-years-old.
Despite being a flat race, the Champion Bumper has produced several champions that have gone on to achieve success in jumps races. These include the likes of champion steeplechasers Florida Pearl and Cue Card, while Dunguib and Champagne Fever went on to win major hurdles races.
The Champion Bumper is one of the easier races to untangle when it comes to telling which horses are genuine candidates. Recent winners have all shown strong form ahead of the Champion Bumper, and a win or second place last time out is a virtual prerequisite for a win.
The markets will usually pick out the top contenders quite accurately, and the top 3-4 in the betting will usually meet the above requirements. Wins by antepost favourites are common. This leaves you to decide between an all-or-nothing punt on the favourite, or putting your money behind a higher priced horse that also offers value on the places.
Recent Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Jasmin De Vaux | 5 | Mr P W Mullins | W P Mullins |
| 2023 | A Dream To Share | 5 | John Gleeson | John Kiely |
| 2022 | Facile Vega | 5 | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins |
| 2021 | Sir Gerhard | 6 | Rachel Blackmore | Willie Mullins |
| 2020 | Ferny Hollow | 5 | Pete Townsend | Willie Mullins |
| 2019 | Envoi Allen | 5 | Jamie Codd | Gordon Elliott |
