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Vigil primed for another Bumper bid

Vigil (left) may going in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham
Vigil (left) may going in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham

Pat Smullen is on course to team up with Vigil for his boss Dermot Weld in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next month.

The lightly-raced six-year-old was fifth under Smullen to stablemate Silver Concorde 12 months ago and has had one run since, when winning at Leopardstown in December.

Weld told the Irish Times: "I think it has to be an advantage for Vigil to have run in the race before although it looks an exceptional renewal this year. It's wide-open but I think our horse is capable of running a good race in it and Pat Smullen will ride."

Seven-times crowned champion jockey on the Flat in Ireland, Smullen came closest to a coveted Cheltenham winner when third on Rite Of Passage in the 2009 renewal of the Bumper behind Dunguib.

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