Golan Cheltenham bound after decisive win Golantilla burst into the Weatherbys Champion Bumper picture by taking the McCarthy Insurance Group-sponsored bumper in tremendous style to complete a quick double for Kilworth trainer Sean O’Brien. The five-year-old son of Golan looked a useful sort when successful on his point-to-point debut at Avaune last month, and confirmed that potential with a runaway success here. The 7/4 favourite drew right away from over a furlong out under Ciaran Fennessy to beat Overbury Prince (9/1) by 13 lengths, with Nouveau Moulin (50/1) another length away in third. A delighted O’Brien said, “He was making a genuine £180,000 at the Brightwell sales but we weren’t selling him for any less than his reserve of £200,000. “He’s an absolute machine. We have a tough gallop at home and any of my other horses can’t get anywhere near him on the two furlongs straight. “There have been more offers for him since the sales but he’s not so cheap now. He’s a horse that’s in a different league. We’ll go to Naas or Fairyhouse for a winners’ bumper and then straight to Cheltenham.” Stan James have introduced the winner at 16/1 for the Cheltenham Festival Bumper. O’Brien was also on the mark in the featured 2m4f handicap chase where Wilde Wit Pleasure landed a touch under Davy Condon. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
