Dunguib romps home in Bumper

Dunguib turned the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival into a procession with a brilliant victory in the hands of Brian O'Connell.

Philip Fenton's six-year-old was sent off a well-backed 9-2 chance and was pulling his rider's arms out for much of the extended two-mile contest. O'Connell only had to let out an inch of rein turning for home and his mount quickly scooted clear, passing the post 10 lengths clear of Some Present.

Rite Of Passage was sent off the 5-2 favourite after plenty of money during the course of the day, but he had to settle for a creditable third.

Willie Mullins had no less than eight runners in his search for a seventh Champion Bumper win - but none of them could get near the runaway winner.

Dunguib's victory put the seal on another terrific afternoon for the Irish, who have now racked up eight winners at the Festival.

Fenton said: 'He jumped absolutely brilliantly and had plenty of cover. Hopefully we might bring him back here again next year for the two-mile race (Supreme). He's something to look forward to.
"Brian rode him with plenty of confidence. I'm sure we'll be doing plenty of celebrating.'

O'Connell added: 'He was always good at home and his last two runs have been very good. I came here thinking he had every chance and to be honest I would have been disappointed if he had been beaten.