BAMBINO Fever (4/1) led home a 1-2-3 for Irish trainers in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, as Jody Townend gained her first win at the Festival, and provided Willie Mullins with his 14th success in the race.

Owned by the O’Connell Morgan Syndicate, the chesnut came into the race with an unbeaten record, having most recently impressed in the Grade 2 mares’ bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival, under today’s pilot.

Eventually sent off second favourite to Gordon Elliott’s Kalypso’chance, she swept wide on the turn for home and quickened well to head the John McConnell-trained Heads Up (33/1). Tom Cooper’s representative Shuttle Diplomacy outran odds of 66/1 when snatching third from 150/1 shot Cavallero Cliff, trained by Robert Stephens.

“I’m beyond cloud nine,” Townend said. “I can’t believe it and it will take some time to sink in. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a child and have grown up watching Paul ride winners round here, but it’s my turn to be happy now.

“I was in front plenty soon enough on her and I was looking up at the big screen thinking ‘please don’t come up the inner’ so it was a big relief when I got to the line. She always keeps trying and has a heart of gold and this is a special place for me now anyway.

The champion trainer commented: “She gave her a fabulous ride, she was in the right position at all stages and has a clock in her head. I didn’t say anything to her, I always leave her to ride her own races.

“Patrick couldn’t do the weight so was always going to ride Copacabana and connections were always happy to have Jody. I’m delighted for Jody. Tim Townend her father was here and of course Paul, her brother was.”