Dominant Elliott lands Bumper with Codd Fayonagh came from the clouds to land the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Gordon Elliott's mare was a 7-1 shot to add to her previous victories at Naas and Fairyhouse and though she badly missed the start, the six-year-old fairly flew home under star amateur Jamie Codd and was ultimately well on top at the line. The victory completed doubles on the day for Elliott and Codd following the earlier success of Cause Of Causes in the Glenfarclas Chase and takes the trainer's tally to the week to five with two days to go. Elliott said: "Five winners in two days? I can't believe it." The Mags Mullins-trained Debuchet filled the runner-up spot, a length and a quarter away, with Nicky Henderson's Claimantakinforgan best of the British in third. Elliott added: "In fairness to Jamie Codd, he bought the mare and he recommended that she be trained by me, so many thanks to him. "When she hit the hill she was last - she's something else. "I was worried about the ground. We were going to go to Sandown the other day but I said to the owners that she's won a LIsted race so we may as well go to Cheltenham. "I can't believe it." Elliott is planning a hurdling campaign next season. He said: "We will run her over hurdles next year. The turn of foot she showed today in the last furlong was amazing." Codd said: "Turning in I thought I might be fourth or fifth, but when I gave her a belt in the last furlong she really quickened. To be fair she was going further away at the line. "It was an incredible performance from the mare. She really is something special and I am lucky to be riding her. "To be honest it went pear-shaped from the start. I lined up to be in the first six or seven, but once there was was the false start and standing start she got frightened by a couple of horses and stood there for a few seconds. "They went a good gallop, though, and I just tagged along and followed them round. To be fair she quickened up the straight three or four times. "The ground was perfect for her it, is beautiful ground out there and I never thought the ground would stop her. "She was bought here at Cheltenham before Christmas and it is a great story for the owners to have a Festival winner four months later."
