tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed and dropped to 3rd 2f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on same pace
towards rear on inner, no impression from 4f out, never a factor
tracked leaders, headway into 2nd travelling well entering straight, pushed along and dispute lead 2f out, soon ridden, led 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong
led, joined briefly at halfway, ridden and headed 3f out, dropped to 5th entering straight, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
always behind, trailing 5f out, tailed off
rear of mid-division, took keen hold, good headway into 3rd entering straight, disputed lead travelling well 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, not match winner
tracked leader in close 2nd, took keen hold, disputed lead briefly at halfway, pushed along 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
rear of mid-division, took keen hold, headway into 5th 4f out, ridden in 4th entering straight, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
FACILE VEGA and American Mike looked the two main contenders in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and so it proved, the former coming home almost four lengths clear after leading a furlong out and going clear. The ground was heavy that day and the runner-up, who looked to be going easily throughout and led three furlongs out, should be better suited by today's conditions. Fourth-placed Seabank Bistro only faded inside the final furlong but Viva Devito and Ocean Of Mercy were well beaten.
American Mike (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Mid-division on outside, closed over 6f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, switched left over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 20, 3 3/4l behind Facile Vega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Carnfunnock (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Towards rear, 5th 4f out, 4th and pushed along entering straight, 3rd and ridden 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, no extra and kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Facile Vega (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Facile Vega (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, challenged 3f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, readily, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar beating American Mike (11-5) by 3 3/4l, 20 ran.
Madmansgame 10-1 (11-5) Led or disputed lead until over 9f out, led over 5f out, headed over 4f out, weakened inside final 3f, 11th of 20, 36 3/4l behind Facile Vega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Ocean Of Mercy (IRE) 125-1 (11-5) Prominent early, chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, 14th of 20, dist behind Facile Vega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Redemption Day 7-1 (11-5) In touch in mid-division, closed 8f out, lost place on inside over 4f out, soon well beaten, 13th of 20, dist behind Facile Vega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Sandor Clegane (IRE) 4-9fav (11-11) Disputed lead, led after 4f, pushed along and pressed 2f out, soon joined, ridden and headed 150 yards out, no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Music Drive (11-7) at Naas 1m 7f sft in Feb.
Seabank Bistro (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 6f out, ridden over 3f out, close 3rd and ridden 2f out, 4th and held from over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 20, 9l behind Facile Vega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Viva Devito (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, 10th of 20, 26 3/4l behind Facile Vega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
