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2026 Champion Bumper

darlojim said:
Not surprised with the track currently unfit for racing

Sure they'll find him somewhere less of a ploughed field next week or 2
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Is the Fairyhouse one that Ferny Hollow run and won still in the fixture list? Think it's a couple of weeks away, if it is.
 
there was one last year on the 15th (there is a meeting 16th this year)

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www.hri.ie
 
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This race has me stumped, anyone any strong opinions at this stage, seems wide open
 
Big Zeb said:
This race has me stumped, anyone any strong opinions at this stage, seems wide open
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….no strong opinion, could be one of those years not to totally dismiss UK runners.
 
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Heldam declared at Punchestown.

Only the 4 runners!
 
Runragged said:
Patrick talks him up again in the RP today stating he wants another go on him and thinks he's very good.
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Wasn't he saying exactly the same before he was beaten more than 13 lengths by The Mourne Rambler? Didn't look to be any excuses. I would always take racecourse over words.
 
kinloch brae said:
Wasn't he saying exactly the same before he was beaten more than 13 lengths by The Mourne Rambler? Didn't look to be any excuses. I would always take racecourse over words.
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It's more the fact that at every opportunity he is still mentioning the horse, even since that defeat. He points out that Champagne Fever, Ferny Hollow and Allaho all got beat at Leopardstown over Christmas, though none of them were beaten 13 lengths and Allaho went hurdling straight after and came 3rd in that years Albert Bartlett!
 
kinloch brae said:
Wasn't he saying exactly the same before he was beaten more than 13 lengths by The Mourne Rambler? Didn't look to be any excuses. I would always take racecourse over words.
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Yeah not sure what to make of him but would be very wary. He travelled well at Xmas but found nothing. Its possible they're bumper horses were lacking fitness at the time, but it's just as possible that he was impressing them at home because he's a flashy on the bridle type, but finds nothing off the bridle.
 
riccirich said:
Yeah not sure what to make of him but would be very wary. He travelled well at Xmas but found nothing. Its possible they're bumper horses were lacking fitness at the time, but it's just as possible that he was impressing them at home because he's a flashy on the bridle type, but finds nothing off the bridle.
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He has long been a talking horse and I thought he was going hurdling this season. I hope he runs at Cheltenham though as the 50/1 and 40/1 vouchers are teetering on the edge of the waste paper bin at the moment!
 
kinloch brae said:
Wasn't he saying exactly the same before he was beaten more than 13 lengths by The Mourne Rambler? Didn't look to be any excuses. I would always take racecourse over words.
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Willie's are clearly better after Christmas than before. Patrick alluded specifically to upping their workloads after Christmas.

Is there a chance, too, that is just a very good bumper?

The Mourne Rambler is a good horse, as is the second Cityofblindinlights. He pulled like mad but still came home well. I'd be keen on him at Punchestown.

Gordon really likes the third, Premier division, who finished 4 lengths down to his best bumper horse Keep Him Company on racecourse debut.

Minella Machine hasn't been seen since but is being brought along slowly and was a good winner of his PTP.

Outofafrika ran very well when beating Green Hint late last month.

I think there's every chance that's a good bumper and with a reasonable amount of improvement, like we're seeing from Willie's younger horses generally, I could see him in with a chance in a Champion Bumper.
 

Where are we now with the Mullins bumper team?​

One choice he definitely faces is picking between the bumper team. Jody Townend got the keys to Bambino Fever last season because Patrick couldn’t do the weight.

He’s in no rush to decide this time. How can he be when there’s one final key piece of evidence to come.

“Love Sign D'Aunou has put in the best performance, no doubt about it. It was over two miles two furlongs, a real strong gallop and he's very straightforward,” he said.

"I thought The Irish Avatar was also very good at Navan. Our Trigger would be a player, but I can't ride him at the weight. I want to get another go on Heldam, I think he's very good.

"Champagne Fever, Ferny Hollow and Allaho got beaten at Leopardstown over Christmas, so it isn't a nail in the coffin. I want to see him again before Cheltenham."

And he gets that chance in the bumper at Punchestown on Sunday if the rain eventually relents.

“I think he ran too keen at Christmas and is much better than that. As I said Champagne Fever and Ferny Hollow both got beat at Christmas and went on to win Champion Bumpers," he said on Friday morning as he headed towards Fakenham for a reunion with Stattler, in the rain.

“I’m looking forward to giving him a second chance. Gavin Cromwell’s horse (Begorra Man), was second to Gameofinches and Gordon’s horse (Soul Asylum) cost an awful lot of money, so even though there are only four runners it’s certainly a hot little race but if Heldam can do on the track what he does at home, I’ll be disappointed if he can’t win."

Another name potentially in the hat for next month then, and even if it adds to just one of the dilemmas, Patrick Mullins wouldn't have it any other way. From a slow start to the season, the bumper team at Closutton are hitting their stride at just the right time. Over to you, Heldam.
 
Exar Essay said:
Willie's are clearly better after Christmas than before. Patrick alluded specifically to upping their workloads after Christmas.

Is there a chance, too, that is just a very good bumper?

The Mourne Rambler is a good horse, as is the second Cityofblindinlights. He pulled like mad but still came home well. I'd be keen on him at Punchestown.

Gordon really likes the third, Premier division, who finished 4 lengths down to his best bumper horse Keep Him Company on racecourse debut.

Minella Machine hasn't been seen since but is being brought along slowly and was a good winner of his PTP.

Outofafrika ran very well when beating Green Hint late last month.

I think there's every chance that's a good bumper and with a reasonable amount of improvement, like we're seeing from Willie's younger horses generally, I could see him in with a chance in a Champion Bumper.
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I hope it is a good bumper, but I don't see anything obvious to suggest the form being reversed, at least on similar ground. The winner won well on the day, and I think the plan was to put him away for the Festival. He got beat in his point, but picked up very nicely, suggesting a shorter trip wouldn't be an issue. Along with The Irish Avatar, who also was beaten in his point, they were the two I liked best for the Festival.

I think the current favourite is plenty short enough. He won over an extended trip on bad ground. I don't think it was a great field, and he was probably the only one who really handled conditions, and even he was finding it taxing towards the finish. If he was that good, I wouldn't have expected the second favourite, a 7yo ex-pointer, to be relatively close in the betting. His point win doesn't look anything special.

Like a few events, it doesn't look a vintage year, and I can fully understand punters looking further afield.
 
Quite a big sea of blue for heldam today - just because of the entrys made ??
(found patricks remarks now....)
I have now backed at 28s! Not because of patricks remarks , but because of some old stuff found on x :

A Doctor Dino gelding out of Catmoves—a four-time French Listed winner—he was purchased for €110,000 at the 2024 Derby Sale. His connections clearly rate him highly, having already struck gold together last season with Final Demand.He made a strong early impression by winning a Punchestown point-to-point, seeing off Lord Rouge, another well-regarded prospect. That performance alone suggested there could be plenty more to come.The initial plan was reportedly to send him straight over hurdles, but connections are now said to be leaning towards a bumper campaign first, allowing him to gain more experience before tackling obstacles.The man who sourced him, Matthew Flynn O’Connor, offered an intriguing comparison:“I wouldn’t want to compare the two as Final Demand has proven he’s top-class, but Heldam might have more speed and plenty of potential. He reminds me of when I had Sporting John.”Consignor John Dwan was equally bullish, describing him as:“a very straightforward horse with a great mind… so laid back a child could ride him, but with extremely reactive movement — that’s what made him stand out.”Where his ceiling lies remains to be seen, but the early signs are very encouraging, and he’s already generating a fair bit of buzz.
 
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punterorplonker said:
Quite a big sea of blue for heldam today - just because of the entrys made ??
(found patricks remarks now....)
I have now backed at 28s! Not because of patricks remarks , but because of some old stuff found on x :

A Doctor Dino gelding out of Catmoves—a four-time French Listed winner—he was purchased for €110,000 at the 2024 Derby Sale. His connections clearly rate him highly, having already struck gold together last season with Final Demand.He made a strong early impression by winning a Punchestown point-to-point, seeing off Lord Rouge, another well-regarded prospect. That performance alone suggested there could be plenty more to come.The initial plan was reportedly to send him straight over hurdles, but connections are now said to be leaning towards a bumper campaign first, allowing him to gain more experience before tackling obstacles.The man who sourced him, Matthew Flynn O’Connor, offered an intriguing comparison:“I wouldn’t want to compare the two as Final Demand has proven he’s top-class, but Heldam might have more speed and plenty of potential. He reminds me of when I had Sporting John.”Consignor John Dwan was equally bullish, describing him as:“a very straightforward horse with a great mind… so laid back a child could ride him, but with extremely reactive movement — that’s what made him stand out.”Where his ceiling lies remains to be seen, but the early signs are very encouraging, and he’s already generating a fair bit of buzz.
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I think I remember John Nallen suggesting something along the lines that Minella Premier was the best young prospect he had ever had - before selling him for £400,000. That's what they do.
 
kinloch brae said:
I think I remember John Nallen suggesting something along the lines that Minella Premier was the best young prospect he had ever had - before selling him for £400,000. That's what they do.
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Not only that but they had kept the name in reserve until a horse worthy of the name should come along! Still waiting for the pay off - or at least I am!
 
Killiney said:
Not only that but they had kept the name in reserve until a horse worthy of the name should come along! Still waiting for the pay off - or at least I am!
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Similar to how the Mullins family kept Mt Leinster free until it was a horse worthy of it.

Last seen running at 150/1 and finishing 20/20
 
punterorplonker said:
Quite a big sea of blue for heldam today - just because of the entrys made ??
(found patricks remarks now....)
I have now backed at 28s! Not because of patricks remarks , but because of some old stuff found on x :

A Doctor Dino gelding out of Catmoves—a four-time French Listed winner—he was purchased for €110,000 at the 2024 Derby Sale. His connections clearly rate him highly, having already struck gold together last season with Final Demand.He made a strong early impression by winning a Punchestown point-to-point, seeing off Lord Rouge, another well-regarded prospect. That performance alone suggested there could be plenty more to come.The initial plan was reportedly to send him straight over hurdles, but connections are now said to be leaning towards a bumper campaign first, allowing him to gain more experience before tackling obstacles.The man who sourced him, Matthew Flynn O’Connor, offered an intriguing comparison:“I wouldn’t want to compare the two as Final Demand has proven he’s top-class, but Heldam might have more speed and plenty of potential. He reminds me of when I had Sporting John.”Consignor John Dwan was equally bullish, describing him as:“a very straightforward horse with a great mind… so laid back a child could ride him, but with extremely reactive movement — that’s what made him stand out.”Where his ceiling lies remains to be seen, but the early signs are very encouraging, and he’s already generating a fair bit of buzz.
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He's the perfect horse to use NRNB on. A blow out and he'll not be on the boat. An impressive win and he'll jump to the head of the market.
 
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