Kate confirmed for Champion Bumper Augusta Kate will sidestep an engagement at Sandown on Saturday and instead take on the boys in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. A daughter of the mighty Yeats and out of Grade One-winning hurdler Feathard Lady, Augusta Kate has made a huge impression in winning her two starts to date at Listowel and Navan. The five-year-old carries the colours of the Masters Syndicate, a group of celebrity owners that includes Ant and Dec, Alan Shearer and Lee Westwood. The syndicate is headed by owner Graham Wylie, who confirmed Willie Mullins has agreed to let her line up at Grade One level next Wednesday. Wylie told Press Association Sport that Westwood would definitely be in attendance at Cheltenham, but that Ant and Dec would not be present. Shearer is hoping to make the trip if work commitments allow. He said in his Coral blog: "We are all very excited. "There's one stumbling block, though. I've just found out that if Chelsea and Everton draw in the FA Cup this weekend, the replay will be on that Wednesday and will scupper my plans as I will be part of the BBC team covering the replay. "The game is live this Saturday and it's a game I'm doing so I will be praying for a positive result. "I'd be gutted to miss Cheltenham." Jockey plans for Augusta Kate have not yet been firmed up, but the trainer's son Patrick is not expected to take the mount as he is unlikely to be able to do the weight, with her mares' allowance meaning she will carry 10st 12lb.
