Israel Champ has looked like an above average sort in winning his last two starts, so looks a great each-way bet in the 2m Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday (17:30).
Trained by David Pipe, who saddled Moon Racer to land the spoils five years ago, this Milan gelding won a point before starting his career under Rules at Worcester.
He came on for that outing after fading to finish a 4 3/4 lengths sixth to a mare.
The five-year-old stripped much fitter for that run when landing a Listed contest over course and distance in November.
Israel Champ made all and stayed on strongly to beat the highly-regarded JP McManus owned Time Flies By in a first-time hood and tongue tie.
It was a very gutsy display that belied a 16/1 starting price with bookmakers. The runner-up has since placed in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Ascot which means the form isn’t too shabby.
Israel Champ then followed-up under a penalty in another Listed affair on desperate ground in December.
He kicked clear two furlongs from home at Ascot and toughed things out, finding plenty for pressure to hold Soaring Glory by 1 3/4 lengths.
This was an admirable display of guts. Those performances have earned Israel Champ an official mark of 130 – the joint highest of any British trained horse in the Champion Bumper this year.
As he has given weight to rivals on a softer surface before, he should relish this test.
It will be disappointing if Israel Champ doesn’t hit the frame and there’s each-way value in odds of 11/1 with Betfred for him to do just that.
Mullins has typically strong Champion Bumper hand
Closutton maestro Wille Mullins is the most successful handler in the history of the race with nine previous wins.
He is triple-handed in this year’s renewal, courtesy of Appreciate It, Ferny Hollow and Five Bar Brian.
Crack amateur jockey and trainer’s son Patrick Mullins, who rides their bumper horses most, chooses the former.
Appreciate It ran third to the mighty Envoi Allen on his racecourse debut in an Irish point before winning next time up.
The six-year-old also needed his bow under Rules at Fairyhouse before landing both of his subsequent starts.
As Appreciate It made all to score by six easy lengths at Leopardstown over Christmas and gave a whole stone in weight to the runner-up, that was very taking.
He then took the step up into Grade 2 company in his stride when staying on strongly and eased close home for a facile 7 1/2 lengths victory.
The son of Jeremy was value for plenty more than the winning margin too. That Dublin Racing Festival outing is the same route that last year’s Champion Bumper winner Envoi Allen took to Cheltenham.
Appreciate It is top rated off an official mark of 131 for this and 2/1 favourite with Unibet as a result, so it would be no surprise to see him land the odds.
Doubts about the temperament of Ferny Hollow
Ferny Hollow is another Mullins mount, but he hasn’t looked as mature as his stable companion because connections have had a hard time teaching him to settle.
Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, this five-year-old son of Westerner won his point impressively but raced too keenly on Rules debut at Fairyhouse.
Ferny Hollow got turned over there when sent off odds-on and likewise next time up at Leopardstown.
The penny finally started to drop when he returned to Fairyhouse last time out when winning unextended by 4 1/4 lengths.
Mullins junior gave Ferny Hollow a very canny ride that day, but now deserts him leaving stable jockey Paul Townend on board for the first time.
The Cheltenham Festival is a big occasion and a sizeable field of 23 are set to line-up in the Champion Bumper.
Getting Ferny Hollow settled in amongst that many runners is going to be a challenge, so – despite odds of 9/1 with Betfred – he may be one that is worth taking on here.
Ocean Wind and Panic Attack best of four-year-olds
There are two four-year-olds getting weight-for-age from their elders in this.
Ocean Wind bolted up in a Listed contest at Newbury for Lambourn trainer Roger Teale when last in action, so could have a hand in the finish.
After winning his racecourse debut at Huntingdon, this Teofilo colt ran on superbly to go down by just a neck here on New Year’s Day.
That race was only over 1m 6f and he duly stepped up on that in a similar grade 2m affair at the Berkshire venue last month.
Ocean Wind was held up, but nudged along in the back straight at Newbury and made rapid headway approaching three out.
He was in front before the two furlong marker and went eight lengths clear of Brief Ambition at the line.
This demands more, but Ocean Wind is 14/1 with Ladbrokes to buck the trend of juveniles in the Champion Bumper.
Pond House handler Pipe also has another hand to play in the form of Listed Market Rasen winner Panic Attack.
This filly has been bought out of Mullins’ stable after an easy 10-length victory on her only career star to date.
Panic Attack is by Canford Cliffs, but has the mighty Galileo as her damsire. That pedigree has speed as well as stamina in it and, as a four-year-old filly, she gets the maximum allowances.
Champion jockey elect Brian Hughes is an eye-catching booking in the saddle, so Panic Attack has plenty going for her at 11/1 with 888Sport in this.
Eskylane overpriced for Champion Bumper
Gordon Elliott has won two of the last three renewals and, like Irish training rivals Mullins, saddles three this year.
Although Jamie Codd partners Queens Brook and Gigginstown have Darling Daughter, stable companion Eskylane could go well.
This six-year-old by Flemensfirth finished ahead of Appreciate It when just denied close home by a head in a Fairyhouse bumper on debut for the County Meath handler.
As the winner had a 7lb claimer aboard, it was fine effort. Eskylane has since bolted up by 8 1/2 lengths at Navan.
The way he stayed on strongly and only needed pushing out to score so easily suggests there could be plenty more to come from him.
It did take Eskylane five Irish points before he got his head in front, but he has plenty of experience to make his presence felt in this.
At the odds on offer, 18/1 with Coral, he looks overpriced in relation to the favourite and Elliott’s other runners on the pick of his form.
Last year’s Champion Bumper fifth The Glancing Queen hasn’t got out over hurdles this season, so remains eligible to run in it again.
Trained by Alan King, the six-year-old mare scored a Grade 2 success at Aintree on her last start.
Given the strength of last year’s race here and the fact she beat Minella Melody by 2 1/4 lengths on Merseyside, The Glancing Queen brings storm form to the table.
The runner-up has since won all three of her starts over hurdles in the manner of a hotly progressive prospect.
Daylight Katie, who was third at Aintree, has also landed a Grade 3 contest this season.
Race fitness is the only issue for The Glancing Queen, who is a course and distance winner in Listed company.
