Cheltenian gives British back-to-back Bumper wins
Continuing the recent tradition of impressive Weatherbys Champion Bumper winners and completing back to back victories in the race for the home side for the very first time, the Philip Hobbs-trained and Richard Johnson-ridden five- year-old powered on up the hill to score by five lengths.
Sat in a perfect position just off the leaders turning for home, the 14-1 chance produced a potent turn of foot when asked to move right into contention.
The race was soon over as he streaked lengths clear of 66-1 chance Destroyer Deployed, with Aupcharlie (33-1) faring best of the Irish in third.
The winning rider noted: “The form was pretty strong from his Kempton win, but you never know until you come to Cheltenham.
“He was very impressive and galloped all the way to the line.
“I was hopeful he’d run a good race, and that the fast pace and stiff track would suit him.
“He’s a really big, strong horse and has got up the hill really well.”
Hobbs, who enjoyed the success of Captain Chris in Tuesday’s Arkle Chase but faced the disappointment of Menorah in the Champion Hurdle later that same day, said of his second winner at the 2011 Festival: “He had been showing us the right signs at home and we were obviously delighted with him at Kempton.
“We were then pleased to see Alan King’s horse (Montbazon, Kempton runner-up) come out and win like it did at Doncaster. “He certainly is not a one-race wonder. If he comes back here next year it will almost certainly be in either the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett. He definitely wants a trip. “I wouldn’t know about another run this season, that’s the last thing on my mind.”
