Aspen earns an entry for Champion

Aspen Colorado remains 12/1 unchanged with Paddy Power for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham after his workmanlike win in the concluding TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition (Pro/Am) Flat Race at Leopardstown.

The Galileo gelding added to his course and distance gains from January, again with Sarah O'Brien in the plate in the J P McManus colours.

Promising newcomer Brelade put it up to him, but Aspen Colorado had half a length in hand at the line with an eleven length gap back to The Sneaky Punter in third.

"He won nicely," said Joseph O'Brien of his father Aidan's winner.

"He idled in front. It's nice to get that out of the way.

"J P and Frank (Berry) will decide next week. He'll get an entry for it tomorrow (the Champion Bumper).

"We'll see how he comes out of the race and we'll go from there.

"I'd be very happy to go but I'd also be happy to wait and go for something else."

(GC & EM)