The Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival goes hand-in-hand with trainer Willie Mullins as the Closutton handler has won the day two finale an incredible 12 times. He’s mob-handed again in 2024, but has the champion Irish trainer let slip what his best chance is after a recent media day at his stables?
Cheltenham Festival 2024: Willie Mullins – “He’s Going To Run Some Race In The Champion Bumper”
Top Irish trainer Willie Mullins has mopped up 12 (yes, 12) Weatherbys Champion Bumpers at the Cheltenham Festival over the years and, therefore, it’s no surprise each year his entries get the most interest in the final race on day two.
Mullins missed out last year with the John Kiely-trained A Dream To Share collaring his Fact To File by 1 1/4 lengths, so will be keen to get back on track in a race that he’s also won four times since 2018.
According to the betting it’s the Mullins runner Jasmin De Vaux, who impressed in winning his debut by 15-lengths at Naas at the end of January, who is his best chance.
However, Mullins also has many others with big claims and he’s no stranger to winning the Champion Bumper with one of his second, third or even fourth strings.
Ferny Hollow was the 11/1 winner in 2020, while Relegate popped up at 25/1 in 2018.
So, after a recent media day – has Willie Mullins let slip on what he feels is his best Champion Bumper chance for 2024?
Okay, this horse isn’t likely to be a double-figure price on the day, but is still on offer at a tasty 9/1 with the best UK horse racing betting sites – and is currently fourth in the market from the Mullins runners.
Step forward – YOU OUGHTA KNOW – who Mullins went on record at his stable tour as saying.
“I thought that was a hell of a run at Leopardstown. He was giving weight away and didn’t get a great position early on. He’s going to run some race in the bumper at Cheltenham.”
This 6 year-old slammed a fair sort in Croke Park on debut at Kilbeggan last May and backed that up with another success at the Galway Festival in early August.
Yes, he was beaten into second on his return at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival this season, but Mullins still feels it was a top run. He’s likely to improve for that too, seeing it came after a 181-day break, and he still had some useful horses beaten.
One of which was last season’s Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner – A Dream To Share – who was back in sixth.
The winner that day – Jeroboam Machin – also looks a horse that could go to the very top, but is down on the Racing Post as a doubt for the Festival race, which also helps You Oughta Know’s chances.
There is every chance jockey Patrick Mullins, who rode Facile Vega to victory in the race in 2022, could pick You Oughta Know too, if he does then the 9/1 is sure to vanish without trace.
Therefore, now looks the time to get on.
Bet On YOU OUGHTA KNOW at 9/1
You can also read about the Willie Mullins Cheltenham Festival record here.
WATCH: You Oughta Know Running Second at the Dublin Racing Festival this Season
Champion Bumper Betting 2024
- Jasmin De Vaux 9/2
- Jalon D’oudairies 11/2
- Teeshan 13/2
- Romeo Coolio 7/1
- Maughreen 7/1
- You Oughta Know 9/1
- Cantico 12/1
- The Yellow Clay 12/1
- Let It Rain 14/1
Note: Odds are subject to change and others on request
Willie Mullins Champion Bumper Wins at the Cheltenham Festival
The Willie Mullins Champion Bumper bandwagon started with Wither Or Which in 1996. Who went onto run 5th in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle the following season at the Festival.
Other big names like Florida Pearl, Champagne Fever and Sir Gerhard followed. With Facile Vega in 2022 currently his most recent Champion Bumper winner (watch below).
- 1996: Wither or Which
- 1997: Florida Pearl
- 1998: Alexander Banquet
- 2000: Joe Cullen
- 2005: Missed That
- 2008: Cousin Vinny
- 2012: Champagne Fever
- 2013: Briar Hill
- 2018: Relegate
- 2020: Ferny Hollow
- 2021: Sir Gerhard
- 2022: Facile Vega
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