The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase - Analysis
Simonsig is the star name among 33 entries for the Grade One Racing Post Arkle Chase, one of the
highlights on day one of The Festival, Champion Day, Tuesday, March 12.
Last yearâs renewal was won in tremendous style by stable companion Sprinter Sacre, who maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a scintillating display in the Tingle Creek and is ante-post favourite for the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Simonsig is after back-to-back Cheltenham Festival successes following a comfortable seven-length victory in last seasonâs Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novicesâ Hurdle. He has made a faultless start to his chasing career with a pair of Grade Two wins at Ascot and Kempton, strolling home to win by 49 and 35 lengths respectively.
Trainer Nicky Henderson is also responsible for course and distance winner Captain Conan, who also landed the Grade One Henry VII Novicesâ Chase at Sandown in December, and Tetlami.
Last seasonâs Stan James Champion Hurdle runner-up Overturn has been entered by Donald McCain after easy wins at Sandown and Doncaster, while Paul Nicholls sole entry is exciting French import ***o, who made a winning British debut on January 16 at Newbury.
Tap Night, trained in Scotland by Lucinda Russell, beat Captain Conan two lengths in a Grade Two hurdle at Kelso last season and made it two from two over the larger obstacles with a facile success at Ayr on January 2.
Tom George has entered lightly-raced six-year-old Module and Majala, who has won both his starts this term, while David Pipe has two possible representatives in course scorer His Excellency and Ronaldo Des Mottes.
Champion Irish handler Willie Mullins is responsible for nine of the 16 Irish-trained entries including Arvika Ligeonniere. The eight-year-old made a winning chase debut at Punchestown in May after over two years off the track and has since the landed a pair of Grade One contests at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown.
Mullins has also entered Grade One runner-up Aupcharlie, Boston Bob, who finished second in last seasonâs Albert Barlett Novicesâ Hurdle at The Festival, and Twinlight.
Mouse Morris is responsible for Baily Green who racked up a seven-timer, including six chase wins, between May and November last year, while Grade One winning hurdlers Oscars Well and Benefficient have also been entered.
