Bakmaj has Cheltenham target

Alan Fleming is eyeing the Cheltenham bumper for Bakmaj after he got off the mark in the concluding bumper at Leopardstown.

The French-bred was bought by Barry Connell after finishing second on his debut at the track over Christmas.

The 6/4 favourite ran out a cosy winner today, hitting the front inside the final furlong for Steven Clements to post a five-length victory.

“I can’t take much credit for this as Peter Fahey has done all the hard work,” said Fleming.

“We’re delighted to have him as he looks a really nice horse going forward. All being well he’ll be entered in the Cheltenham bumper and that’s where he’ll go.

“We’re looking forward to him for next season for two-and-a-half or three miles hurdles. That’s the sort of horse we think he is.

“We’ll learn a lot more from now on with him.

“We’ve some nice bumper horses to come out that we’ve minded. Obviously we’ve been a little bit slow this season to say the least.

“They seemed to have turned a corner and we were very happy with the horse in the maiden hurdle (Harold Peto finished second).

“We’ve minded the young horses. They are coming on through now so hopefully they’ll start winning in the next two or three weeks. We’ve lovely horses to come out.

“Velvet Maker might go to Punchestown or he might come here. There is Marakoush to come out and he’ll probably stay hurdling this year because we’ve missed out on so much. He’s working terrible well.

“Edelpour is going to be a different project. We’ll give him a bit of time as he’s grown a lot. He’s a very immature horse so we’ve given him all the time in the world and we’ll probably start him off in something during the summer.

“We’re in no hurry with him.”

Paddy Power introduced the winner at 20/1 for the Champion Bumper.