Dublin Racing Festival | Sunday 1st February 2026 | Leopardstown | Grade 2, 2m Mares
Last updated: January 2026 | Data source: HorseRaceBase
The DRF Mares Bumper 2026 (EBF Mares NHF) has emerged as one of the most significant Champion Bumper trials. Two of the last nine winners - Bambino Fever (2025) and Relegate (2018) - went on to win the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. That's a remarkable strike rate for a mares-only race. Even more intriguingly, this race consistently produces big-priced winners - 40/1, 25/1, 18/1 and 16/1 winners in the last 9 runnings.
✅ Key Finding
6 of the last 8 Champion Bumper winners (75%) won either the DRF Bumper OR the DRF Mares Bumper! This mares race has produced 2 Champion Bumper winners - Bambino Fever (2025) and Relegate (2018).
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DRF Mares Bumper → Champion Bumper Connection
The mares bumper has produced TWO Champion Bumper winners - remarkable for a restricted race:
| Year | DRF Mares Winner | DRF Odds | Champion Bumper Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bambino Fever | 9/1 | WON Champion Bumper (4/1) ✅ |
| 2024 | Fleur Au Fusil | 10/1 | 7th Champion Bumper (10/1) |
| 2023 | Fun Fun Fun | 9/4F | Didn't run CB |
| 2022 | Lily Du Berlais | 40/1 | Didn't run CB |
| 2021 | Grangee | 18/1 | Didn't run CB |
| 2020 | Darling Daughter | 25/1 | Didn't run CB |
| 2019 | Santa Rossa | 3/1 | Didn't run CB |
| 2018 | Relegate | 16/1 | WON Champion Bumper (8/1) ✅ |
| 2017 | Fayonagh | 7/1 | Won Mares Novice Hurdle 2018 |
💡 Key Pattern: When DRF Mares Bumper winners DO run in the Champion Bumper, they've performed well. Bambino Fever (9/1 → 4/1 winner) and Relegate (16/1 → 8/1 winner) both won at shorter odds at Cheltenham. Follow the winner to the Champion Bumper!
DRF Mares Bumper Key Trends
Critical statistics for finding the winner:
| Trend | Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Willie Mullins | 5/9 (56%) | 🔥 Dominates - but not always with favourite! |
| Age 5-6yo | 9/9 (100%) | Only 5yo and 6yo mares win |
| J Townend rides | 3/9 (33%) | Jody Townend - key booking to note |
| Outsiders (10/1+) | 7/9 (78%) | ⚠️ Only 2 favourites won in 9 years! |
| Won LTO | 8/9 (89%) | Must have won last time out |
⚠️ Outsider Alert: This race loves an outsider! Winners at 40/1, 25/1, 18/1, 16/1, 10/1 and 9/1 in 9 runnings. Only Fun Fun Fun (9/4F, 2023) and Santa Rossa (3/1, 2019) were short-priced winners. Look for Mullins second/third strings and unexposed mares.
DRF Mares Bumper Historical Winners
Full results since the race began:
| Year | Winner | Odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bambino Fever | 9/1 | Mullins | J Townend |
| 2024 | Fleur Au Fusil | 10/1 | Mullins | J Townend |
| 2023 | Fun Fun Fun | 9/4F | Mullins | P Mullins |
| 2022 | Lily Du Berlais | 40/1 | Crawford | B Crawford |
| 2021 | Grangee | 18/1 | Mullins | J Townend |
| 2020 | Darling Daughter | 25/1 | Elliott | Lisa O'Neill |
| 2019 | Santa Rossa | 3/1 | McLoughlin | F Maguire |
| 2018 | Relegate | 16/1 | Mullins | K Walsh |
| 2017 | Fayonagh | 7/1 | Elliott | J J Codd |
DRF Mares Bumper 2025 Result
🏆 DRF Mares Bumper 2025
1st: Bambino Fever (9/1) - Mullins/J Townend - 5yo - towards rear, headway 3f out, led 1.5f out, stayed on strongly
Cheltenham: Won Champion Bumper (4/1) - mid-division, led final furlong, stayed on ✅
Third consecutive Mullins/J Townend winner in this race!
DRF Mares Bumper 2026 Betting Strategy
✅ DO
- Back Mullins runners (5/9, 56%) 🔥
- Note J Townend bookings (3/9)
- Target 5-6yo mares (9/9)
- Look for horses who won LTO (8/9)
- Consider outsiders 10/1+ (7/9!)
- Follow winner to Champion Bumper
❌ AVOID
- Blindly backing the favourite
- 4yo mares (0/9)
- 7yo+ mares (0/9)
- Mares beaten LTO (1/9)
- Ignoring Mullins second strings
DRF Mares Bumper 2026 Analysis
Key factors to watch for the 2026 renewal:
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Trainer | Mullins runners - especially second/third strings at bigger prices |
| Jockey | J Townend booking = significant (3 wins) |
| Age | 5yo or 6yo only - no exceptions |
| LTO Form | Must have won last time out |
| Price | Don't dismiss 10/1+ shots - they win 78% of the time! |
💡 Bottom Line: The DRF Mares Bumper is a golden path to the Champion Bumper - Bambino Fever (2025) and Relegate (2018) both won both races. Look for a Mullins-trained 5-6yo mare who won LTO, ideally ridden by J Townend, at double-figure odds. The winner should be followed to Cheltenham where she'll likely start at shorter odds. This race loves an outsider - don't be afraid to go big at 10/1+!
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Data source: HorseRaceBase Big Race Trends | Last updated: January 2026 | See also: Racing Post Cheltenham Guide
Related: Champion Bumper Trends | DRF Bumper Trends | DRF Complete Guide