CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: The doors open on a wet day on day two of The Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16, 2022 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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2023 Champion Bumper Tips, Odds and News
The final race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is the Champion Bumper. This is the only race run during the meeting where no obstacles are jumped, but winners of this Grade One often go on to achieve great success over both hurdles and fences.
2023 Champion Bumper Key Facts
Date | Wednesday 15th March, 2023 |
Time | 5:30pm |
Course | Cheltenham Festival |
Status | Grade One |
Distance | 2m |
Prize Pool | £75k |
Age | 4YO - 6YO |
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2023 Champion Bumper Odds
No odds are currently available for the Champion Bumper.
2023 Champion Bumper Tips
Our guide to the Champion Bumper will be published in the weeks leading up to the Cheltenham Festival.
2022 Champion Bumper Tips
Position | Name | SP |
---|---|---|
1st | Facile Vega | 15/8f |
2nd | American Mike | 5/2 |
3rd | James's Gate | 16/1 |
Champion Bumper Tips Day Card
Time | Title | Status | Distance |
---|---|---|---|
1:30pm | Ballymore Novices' Hurdle | Grade One | 2m 5f |
2:10pm | RSA Novices' Chase | Grade One | 3m |
2:50pm | Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle | Grade Three Handicap | 2m 5f |
3:30pm | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade One | 2m |
4:10pm | Cross Country Chase | Class Two Handicap | 3m 6f |
4:50pm | Grand Annual Handicap Chase | Grade Three Handicap | 2m |
5:30pm | Champion Bumper | Grade One | 2m |
Champion Bumper History
The Champion Bumper is the only race during the Cheltenham Festival where no obstacles were jumped. The race was created in 1992, aiming to give novice horses who're yet to jump and hurdles or fences some much-needed Festival experience.
In 1996, Willie Mullins both trained and rode the winner of the Champion Bumper, guiding Wither or Which to victory.
The following season saw Richard Dunwoody guide Mullins' star Florida Pearl to victory. Florida Pearl went on to win numerous Grade Ones over fences, including the RSA Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 1998.
Flat racing fans will have celebrated in 2002, as top flat jockey Jamie Spencer rode Pizarro to victory for Edward O'Grady.
Mullins is, by far, the most successful trainer in the history of the Champion Bumper. Ireland's top trainer has won the race nine times, with great jockeys like Ruby Walsh, Patrick Mullins and Katie Walsh entering the Champion Bumper winner's enclosure on one of Willie Mullins' horses.
Fan's favourite Cue Card won in the Champion Bumper in 2010 under Joe Tizzard. Colin Tizzard's star would go on to win the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in 2013.
Champagne Fever won the 2012 Champion Bumper, before going on to score in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle the following year.
Mares came out on top in back to back seasons in 2017 and '18, as Fayonaugh and Relegate triumphed for Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins' respectively.
Envoi Allen collected his first Cheltenham Festival win in the 2019 Champion Bumper, and ran away with the Ballymore in 2020.
The 2020 Champion Bumper, again, went the way of Willie Mullins, as Ferny Hallow scooted past stablemate Appreciate It to claim an impressive victory. Sir Gerhard then upset Kilcruit in 2021, as Willie Mullins saddled another 1-2 in the Champion Bumper.
2022 Cheltenham Day 2 Photos
Champion Bumper Winners
Year | Winner |
---|---|
2022 | Facile Vega |
2021 | Sir Gerhard |
2020 | Ferny Hallow |
2019 | Envoi Allen |
2018 | Relegate |
2017 | Fayonaugh |
2016 | Ballyandy |
2015 | Moon Racer |
2014 | Silver Concorde |
2013 | Briar Hill |
2012 | Champagne Fever |
2011 | Cheltenian |
2010 | Cue Card |
2009 | Dunguib |
2008 | Cousin Vinny |
2007 | Cork All Star |
2006 | Hairy Molly |
2005 | Missed That |
2004 | Total Enjoyment |
2003 | Liberman |
2002 | Pizarro |
Champion Bumper FAQs
When is the Champion Bumper?
The 2023 Champion Bumper will take place at 5:30pm on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 15th March.
What is the Champion Bumper?
The Champion Bumper is a Grade One race run on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. The Champion Bumper is the only race at the Cheltenham Festival where no obstacles will be jumped, and the novice runners have to tackle a two-mile trip.
Who won the Champion Bumper?
Facile Vega claimed his first victory at the Cheltenham Festival by beating American Mike in the 2022 Champion Bumper.
Where can I watch the Champion Bumper?
The 2023 Champion Bumper will be shown live on ITV Racing. If you want to stream the race live on your mobile or tablet then visit our Live Streaming page for more details.