Weatherbys Champion Bumper (In Memory Of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (GBB)

Bought for £300,000 soon after winning a Navan bumper in early December; he took a tall reputation into the Grade 2 at Leopardstown in early February won by Broadway Ted and was backed accordingly, only for his effort to peter out after briefly threatening up the straight; could be capable of better on this surface (has raced on soft or heavy) but clearly needs to be.

Not an instant success in Irish points but 2-2 in bumpers despite free-going tendencies evident in both; made all at Newbury (good to soft) and repeated the trick at Ascot (soft) where he was in splendid isolation for large parts of the race before predictably tiring late on; that form has taken a battering but he was much the best of that field; should similar tactics be employed, it may help that this race is often slowly run; highly regarded and much respected.

Cost 120,000euros after finishing second in an Irish point; he took the field apart to win by clear daylight at Down Royal (yielding) but It's Only A Game comfortably had his measure the time before; this 5yo has him to worry about and others; tongue-tie added.

Both runs on heavy; debut win was at Ayr and he followed up in the Grade 2 at the Dublin Racing Festival that's often a good guide to this (three horses have achieved the double since 2019); only a short head in front of With Nolimit and a suspicion that Charismatic Kid (third) and It's Only A Game (fourth) were not seen to best effect in behind, but this is a nice prospect.

His wins at Worcester and here came on good ground, so perhaps the soft surface found him out when only sixth in a Listed race back here in November; however, on all his form, this looks three bridges too far.