Three Stripe Life comes home clear© Photo Healy Racing
Three Stripe Life made a taking debut in the bumper at Navan to enter the equation for Cheltenham.
The five-year-old gelding moved powerfully and went on with Outlaw Peter a furlong and a half down.
A shake of the reins from Jamie Codd saw 4/5 favourite Three Stripe Life scoot clear in the final 150 yards and they strode away with the minimum of fuss to win by nine lengths.
Outlaw Peter had no chance with the winner in second at 8/1 but was eight and a half lengths in front of gambled-on Now Where Or When (10/3 from 11/1 in the morning).
Gordon Elliott said: “We think a good bit of him and he’s done everything right at home.
“He was a big, backward horse last year and we just didn’t get to run him but we think he’s a proper horse.
“He could be a Cheltenham bumper horse — I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.”
Three Stripe Life was introduced at 16/1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham (non runner no bet).
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Miss. Colleen Murphy, that Mr T. Feeney, rider of fourth-placed The Higher Road had weighed in at three pounds overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that this was the case. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Mr. T. Feeney was in breach of Rule 231(iii) and having considered his record in this regard the Stewards suspended Mr. T. Feeney for one race day.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
