Cheltenham Ante-Post Tips 2024: Chance Cantico for the Champion Bumper

After 19 ante-post tips over as many weeks leading up to the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, which runs from March 12-15, it’s time to write my 20th and final selection into the book. 

I’m having another go at the Champion Bumper, as my last attempt didn’t go so well – and I’m putting my faith in that man Willie Mullins once again.

I’ve seen several suggestions that this year’s Champion Bumper isn’t up to scratch. I disagree. It’s wide-open and lacks a standout, but there’s some top prospects – including Jasmin De Vaux, Romeo Coolio and Teeshan – in the mix.

I suppose what gives the impression of a sub-par renewal, at least in part, is the fact that many of the fancied runners, such as the aforementioned trio, have only been seen once this season in weak races.

All of the last 10 winners of this race had run at least twice before and Jalon D’oudairies, The Yellow Clay and You Oughta Know are the major candidates who fit that criteria. They all boast solid claims, but the former is short enough on what he’s achieved so far and the latter two were comfortably beaten at the Dublin Racing Festival, albeit in a relatively strong race.

I’ve really warmed to Willie Mullins’ Cantico over the last week or so.

The five-year-old, who sports the same silks as Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs, was touted as the yard’s best bumper horse before Christmas, but an underwhelming performance at Leopardstown on Boxing Day saw him drop out of the picture somewhat.

However, with the benefit of hindsight I don’t think it was a bad run at all the last day. The two horses in front are nice types in their own right and the fourth had showed a good amount of ability previously. Also, the ground was particularly lively that day which wouldn’t have suited the son of Diamond Boy, who looks a staying chaser in the making.

On top of that, don’t forget how badly Mullins’ string were needing a run at the time. Improvement was sure to follow – and it did, as he bolted up at Navan last month.

The form of that five-runner race, which he won by six widening lengths, is modest, but he did it very easily and I loved how he was only going clearer at the line. That was a nice prep for the big one, I’d say.

There’s reason to believe the selection remains right up there in connections’ estimations too, despite not immediately living up to their lofty expectations.

He was one of the first mentioned by Willie in a recent stable tour when discussing his bumper crop and it was suggested by the great Ruby Walsh at a recent preview night that Cantico could be the ride of Patrick Mullins, who gets first pick in this sphere. I doubt that, I must admit, but it does paint a picture as to where in the Closutton pecking order he lies.

I also keep reminding myself of a quite significant move – from 33s into a general 14/1 shot – for him, for this very race, on a random Tuesday in January. Showing a fair bit at home at the time, one could assume?

Ultimately, I think this is a horse that’s improving with every run and is currently being overlooked in the betting for a wide-open race. He should cope well with the hustle and bustle of the Champion Bumper and if it turns into another testing affair on soft ground, I fancy his chances even more.

So, that concludes the 2024 Cheltenham Festival antepost book. High and low points as you’d expect, but overall I’m pleased (I’ll be a lot happier if Willie Mullins does the right thing and sends Ballyburn to the Supreme!). Fingers crossed we can return a few winners next week.

Find Cheltenham Tips for next week’s Festival here at Betfred Insights