Cheltenham Champion Bumper aim for Very Much So
Sunday 31 January 2016 17:55, UK
Very Much So is set to head straight for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival after an absence of almost two years.
The Scorpion gelding made a successful debut in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown in 2014, but missed the whole of last season through injury and has not been seen in competitive action so far this term either.
However, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old is closing in on a comeback and with connections keen not to bottom him by running on winter ground beforehand, he will be prepared to make his comeback at Prestbury Park in March.
Steve Massey, manager for the Supreme Horse Racing Club, said: "He's progressing nicely and while we could have maybe got a run in beforehand, we've decided to send him straight for the Champion Bumper.
"He's obviously had a few problems, but he seems to be over those now and Willie is very happy with him.
"The Festival is only six and a half weeks away, so we felt that rather than running him a winners' bumper in heavy ground, we'd be better going straight there.
"We know he's got an engine from what he showed at Punchestown, the form of that race has worked out well and he should get the better ground he wants at Cheltenham.
"He's been off a long time and has had a few problems, but he seems to be over those now and Willie is very happy with him at the moment."
Mullins is not ruling out letting exciting mare Augusta Kate take on the boys in the same race.
Owned by a syndicate that includes leading owner Graham Wylie, former England international footballer Alan Shearer and TV personalities 'Ant and Dec', Augusta Kate has been most impressive in winning her two starts to date, most recently landing a Listed prize at Navan in November.
Mulins has pencilled in another Listed event at Sandown on March 12, but she still has the option of heading for Prestbury Park.
"Augusta Kate is being aimed at the mares bumper in Sandown but there is still a chance that she could go to Cheltenham instead. It will depend on how the race is shaping up," said Mulins.
