Windbeneathmywings ‘ticking over’ with Cheltenham on the horizon

David Pipe’s Champion Bumper hope Windbeneathmywings is limbering up for the Cheltenham Festival as eligibility rules prevent him from running again following his facile Ascot victory.

The chestnut made a spectacular impact on his first run for the stable shortly before Christmas, dismantling a field of 13 opponents in a Berkshire Listed bumper run over a trip just shy of two miles.

No less than nine of those rivals had previously won a bumper, with Windbeneathmywings already successful twice under the code himself during his prior spell with Patrick Flynn in Ireland.

The five-year-old went off a 3-1 chance under Jack Tudor in what looked to be a deep contest, but he could hardly have won with more ease when strolling home 14 lengths ahead of the runner-up.

He immediately entered the Weatherbys Champion Bumper picture as a result of the victory and is now sharing favouritism with the Gordon Elliott-trained Kalypsochance for the Grade One event held on the Wednesday of the Cheltenham Festival.

The eligibility rules of that race prevent the horse from running again ahead of the meeting, as entrants must not have more than three starts – or four if one of those starts was in a Graded or Listed race.

“He’s very well, he’s had an easy time since Ascot,” said Pipe.

“We’re just keeping him ticking over at home, then we’ll start building him up for Cheltenham in March.

“He wouldn’t be eligible if he ran again, so it’s straight there now, straight to Cheltenham.”

Pipe is enjoying a successful season so far, having nearly exceeded last term’s total of winners already, with several months of the campaign still to come.

Three victories this term have been provided by the highly likeable grey King Turgeon, who has landed two handicap chases and the Grand Sefton over the famous Grand National fences.

He was most recently seen contesting the Somerset National at Wincanton, where he ran admirably under his 12st burden to finish third, beaten just over three lengths.

The run has seen his rating nudged up another pound to 140, a mark that is still unlikely to see him make the cut for a return to Aintree for the National itself.

He has been entered for the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh on Sunday and if not taking up that engagement, then his next outing will be under similar terms in a staying chase elsewhere.

“He’s in very good form, we’ve just made an entry for him up at Musselburgh,” said Pipe.

“I don’t know if he will go there or not, but he’s come out of Wincanton in good form, as usual.

“The handicapper has put him up another pound, he’s run a career best every time this season and that was another one – he’s having an amazing season.

“He won’t get into the National, but he’s done more than we could have dreamed of already this season.

“The plans for the rest of the season, whether we go to Musselburgh or not, will be to look at all of those three-mile plus staying chases.”