Bass Hunter all set for Champion Bumper bid
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 1 Mar 2026
Bass Hunter is primed to lead the British challenge in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival – and trainer Chris Gordon is confident his stable star can make his presence felt.
The son of Authorized was tremendously impressive on his racecourse debut at Newbury, strolling home eight lengths clear of the field, after which he followed up with a Listed success at Ascot.
The winter weather has prevented Gordon from getting another run into his exciting youngster, but the Morestead handler believes he is in perfect condition and well rested ahead of his planned appearance at Prestbury Park.
Gordon said: “He’s in great order and the Champion Bumper is the plan, we’re really looking forward to that.
“He’s had a good break. There were a couple of races we wanted to go for and both times it was bottomless ground. Windsor was very sticky ground and then at Newbury it was pretty bottomless for the Listed bumper.
“Those were the plans with him and sadly we weren’t able to get a race in. All I could see were negatives in running him in that type of ground so we’ll be going to Cheltenham with all guns blazing in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Bass Hunter is a general 12-1 shot for his Festival assignment and Gordon expects him to give a good account.
“I think he must have a chance. He’s looked very impressive in his bumpers,” he continued.
“(Son) Freddie just kicked on a little bit too quickly at Ascot, he came into the straight and kicked a little bit too early. If he hadn’t kicked on so early I think we would have won it very comfortably.
“He’s got pretty strong form to go in there with, but Lord knows what the Irish are bringing over… I wish it was just for English horses!”
Electric Mason is another of Gordon’s string who goes to the Festival fresh, having been off the racecourse since November ahead of the Pertemps Final.
He was second to Stayers’ Hurdle hope Ma Shantou at Cheltenham in October before coming out on top in a valuable handicap at Haydock on Betfair Chase day.
Gordon said: “He’s got a great chance I hope. We had a great day in the sunshine with him at Haydock and he’s run at Cheltenham before to qualify him for the Pertemps.
“It was the obvious race to go to after Haydock. I couldn’t really see any benefit of running him again until we got to Cheltenham, but he’s in very good order and we’re looking forward to it.”
Gordon is hoping for rain ahead of Andashan’s likely tilt at the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
He added: “It’s 90 per cent we’ll go for the Martin Pipe with him. The only thing that worried me is if Freddie couldn’t ride in it as it would have been quite difficult to get a good conditional, but I think we’re all good.
“He’s been very progressive and we were third in a very nice race at Newbury over two miles earlier on in the season.
“We stepped him up a little bit and he was a very nice second over two-mile-two at Haydock and then we went to two and a half and he won nicely at Newbury last time, so he’s been progressive on all three of his runs.
“All I can pray for with him is a little bit of soft ground – the softer the better for him.”
Related posts
Five horses to watch at Cheltenham this week
Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips at Kempton: "he looks very well in"
Saturday ante-post tips: brace of 20-1 chances among five bets
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White 2026-27 Jumps season stable tour
Five changes made at Cheltenham ahead of the 2026-27 season
Todays top offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Claim Now
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved