Weatherbys Champion Bumper |
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| Grade 1, Standard Open NH Flat Race Cheltenham 17:30 £75,000 added, 4-6yo, 2m 87y, Class 1 
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| Wednesday 15th March 2017 | |
1 Fayonagh 7/1
2 Debuchet 10/1
3 Claimantakinforgan 22/1
NR: Someday
22 ran Distances: 1¼l, 1½l, nk
TIME 3m 51.10s (slow by 10.10s)
Fayonagh takes off up the hill and wins the Champion Bumper
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Trainer Gordon Elliott and amateur Jamie Codd completed a 39/1 double when Fayonagh flew home to land the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
Codd, who works for auctioneers Tattersalls Ireland, bought Fayonagh for £64,000 at the company's Cheltenham December Sale on behalf of Edward and Maura Gittins - they had no big ambition about running in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, and were planning sending her to a race at Sandown last Saturday until Codd intervened and suggested today's race was winnable.
The plan nearly unravelled at the start, when Fayonagh was left flat-footed, knocked sideways and then set off behind the field. Elliott said: "I wanted to run onto the track and tell Jamie to pull up."
Yet she flew up the hill at the finish to win by one and a quarter lengths and one and a half lengths from Debuchet and Claimantakinforgan.
Elliott said: "Jamie gave her a great ride - she must be tough. The start was something else. Jamie bought her and recommended she be sent to me. I was worried about the ground, and she just stood at the start [a standing start took place following a false start]. That was a pity because she jumps brilliant.
"She's schooled over hurdles, but if she never does anything else it won't matter because she's won a Listed bumper and now a Grade One bumper. She could be a filly to run on the Flat, too, possibly at Royal Ascot."
Mark Gittins, the son of Maura and Edward, and son-in-law of retired top jockey Mick Kinane, said: "My parents [who are breeders of racehorses] love National Hunt racing, while I would be pushing more towards the Flat. Jamie was at the sales, picked this mare out, and rang to say 'I've seen a lovely Kalanisi mare that would suit you'.
"My father is from Liverpool, and so they wanted a mare to run in the [Listed] mares' bumper at Aintree. The plan was to go to Sandown and then Aintree, until Jamie said we should come here. She showed an unbelievable turn of foot out there, yet going past the stands I thought she had no chance."
The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
(Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race)
£75,000 added, 4-6yo, 2m 87y, Class 1
22 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fayonagh (IRE) 7/1 | Mr J J Codd 10-12 |
G Elliott | 6 | |
| 2nd | 1¼ | Debuchet (FR) 10/1 | D E Mullins 10-11 |
Ms M Mullins | 4 |
| 3rd | 1½ | Claimantakinforgan (FR) 22/1 | Nico de Boinville | N J Henderson | 5 |
| 4th | nk | Next Destination (IRE) 10/1 | R Walsh 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 5 |
| 5th | nk | Western Ryder (IRE) 7/1 | G Sheehan 11-5 |
W Greatrex | 5 |
| 6th | 5 | Dans Le Vent (FR) 100/1 | Aidan Coleman 10-11 |
Jamie Snowden | 4 |
| 7th | 1½ | And The New (IRE) 100/1 | Brendan Powell 11-5 |
J Farrelly | 6 |
| 8th | ½ | Mountain Rock (IRE) 66/1 | J W Kennedy 11-5 |
A Keatley | 5 |
| 9th | ½ | Cause Toujours (FR) 9/2f | Harry Skelton 11-5 |
D Skelton | 5 |
| 10th | ¾ | Nelson's Touch 100/1 | Nick Scholfield 10-11 |
D J Coakley | 4 |
| 11th | 1½ | Perfect Harmony (IRE) 33/1 | Ian Popham 11-5 |
A King | 5 |
| 12th | 1¼ | Better Getalong (IRE) 50/1 | B P Harding 11-5 |
N G Richards | 6 |
| 13th | ¾ | West Coast Time (IRE) 16/1 | D N Russell 11-5 |
Joseph P O'Brien | 5 |
| 14th | 1½ | Bakmaj (FR) 12/1 | D F O'Regan 11-5 |
A Fleming | 5 |
| 15th | 2¾ | Carter Mckay 11/2 | Mr P W Mullins 11-5 |
W P Mullins | 6 |
| 16th | 3 | Robin The Raven (IRE) 33/1 | D Bass 11-5 |
K C Bailey | 5 |
| 17th | 8 | Quick Grabim (IRE) 25/1 | N D Fehily 11-5 |
R P McNamara | 5 |
| 18th | 1 | Imperial Eloquence (IRE) 25/1 | P J Brennan 11-5 |
F O'Brien | 5 |
| 19th | 24 | My Mate Mark 50/1 | Tom Cannon 10-11 |
Martin Smith | 4 |
| 20th | 11 | Irish Roe (IRE) 12/1 | Henry Brooke 10-12 |
P Atkinson | 6 |
| 21st | 43 | Copernicus (IRE) 66/1 | R Johnson 11-5 |
C E Longsdon | 5 |
| PU | Fisherman Frank 66/1 | T Scudamore 11-5 |
M Blake | 6 | |
| NR | Someday 7/1 | Miss K Harrington 11-5 |
Mrs J Harrington | 5 |
CODD CATCHES ANOTHER WINNER
Jamie Codd rode his second winner of The Festival 2017, taking the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Fayonagh, having won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Cause Of Causes 80 minutes earlier. Like Cause Of Causes, Fayonagh is trained by Gordon Elliott, for whom it was a fifth win of the week.
Codd helped owner Maura Gittins to buy the six-year-old Kalanisi mare last December at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Sale for £64,000. She was a comfortable winner of a Listed bumper at Fairyhouse last month, and was sent off at 7/1 today.
But she looked to have lost all chance at the start of the race, jumping off late and spending most of the race at the back of the field, charging through from last to first up the hill to beat Debuchet by a length and a quarter.
Codd said: "We had a false start. I had a great position for that, and I was actually lined up nicely for the second start but she got a fright and just halted for about two and a half seconds. I thought I had lost all chance, to be honest, and so I just followed them.
"All the way down the hill I followed, followed, followed, and just once I switched her out turning in, I thought I'd run on to be second or third or fourth maybe. To be fair to her, she's quickened and quickened. It's pure ability that has got me there in the end. She's a great mare.
"It's a great story for the Tattersalls sale - to buy a horse and come back to win at The Festival a few months later; it's remarkable.
"I'll say it again, Gordon is a remarkable trainer - that is his fifth winner of The Festival and it is only two days old. It's incredible. Whatever happens from now on, it is made. For me to get two and Gordon on five - it's fantastic. I am in a good position - I'm riding for the top trainers and at the top Festivals. I am blessed."
DEBUCHET DENIED BY CODD
Trainer Margaret Mullins was pleased with the run of 10/1 shot Debuchet who finished a one and a quarter-length second.
Looking the likely winner up the straight under Danny Mullins, the imposing grey was collared late on by the fast-finishing 7/1 chance Fayonagh who showed a potent turn of foot to claim the two mile Grade One.
Nicky Henderson's Claimantakinforgan (22/1) was a length and a half back in third, with a neck to Willie Mullins' Next Destination (10/1) in fourth.
Irish handler Mullins said: "It's a long way home up that hill but I am delighted with him, he has run a great race. He will be a lovely horse next year - it's fabulous."
Asked about whether the four-year-old son of Smadoun would head to the Punchestown Festival, Mullins said: "We'll see what he's like when we get home but we're delighted with that."
WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER PAST RESULTS
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
