Arkle Challenge Trophy
The Arkle Challenge Trophy is the second race of the opening day at the Cheltenham Festival. Just like the Supreme Novices Hurdle the race is a Grade One but this time it is for novice chasers aged five years or older. Run over a distance of approximately 2 miles there is a total of twelve fences to be accounted for. The race is widely recognised as the most prominent novices chase of the National Hunt season.
The race often highlights future stars for the minimum-distance chases. 2010 winner Sizing Europe went on to claim glory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase a year later. This Cheltenham double has been done by several other horses including Jessica Harrington’s Moscow Flyer. Another horse to do the double was Paul Nicholls’ Azertyuiop. The bay gelding claimed Arkle glory in 2003 and was the most recent winning favourite of the race.
Arkle Trophy Winner 2012
With the Supreme looking a tricky equation to solve for Cheltenham punters many will be hoping the Arkle provides the opportunity for an early winner at the festival.
Recent reports have suggested connections of Al Ferof are seriously contemplating picking the Champion Chase as his festival target. Currently third in the ante post betting, last year’s Supreme winner has only appeared once so far this season. Despite not setting the world alight with his narrow victory, he still remains a live contender given the way he powered clear at the festival last year. If he was to bypass the Arkle then it’s hard to look past the current top two in the market.
Sprinter Sacre put himself firmly at the top of the pile after his electrifying display at Kempton where he convincingly defeated second favourite Peddlers Cross. It has been reported that several niggles have been found with Peddlers subsequently; it could prove costly to dismiss the chances of a horse who put up a serious challenge to last year’s brilliant Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly. However, it is hard not to be hugely impressed by Sprinter Sacre’s performance at Kempton. There was a strong opinion that he would make in to a top class chaser and many people will be expecting him to become the first favourite to win the Arkle since 2003.
Captain Powers To Arkle Glory in 2011
The 2011 Arkle Trophy was taken by the Philip Hobbs’ trained Captain Chris after a captivating duel with Finian’s Rainbow. Barry Geraghty looked to be in control of the race on Finian’s Rainbow but the notoriously challenging hill at Cheltenham allowed Captain Chris to battle to victory. It is clear The Captain has an engine on him and that has been reflected this season with him taking a significant step up in trip. Last season putting in a more than respectable effort in the 3 mile King George, connections look set to target the Gold Cup where his stamina will be tested to it’s maximum. Finian’s Rainbow was to finish one place better claiming Grade One victory at Aintree a month later. A classy victory on his seasonal reappearance in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase he is sure to be in contention again at this year’s festival.