The 2016 Arkle Challenge Trophy
The Arkle Challenge Trophy (or simply "The Arkle" as it is more commonly known) is the 2 mile championship race for novice chasers and is run on the Tuesday of the festival over 2 miles on the old course, with 13 fences to be jumped. The race is named in memory of the great Arkle, whose statue can be seen at the course:
As the race is for novices, there have been no multiple winners, but some of the greatest chasers in the history of the sport have lifted this coveted prize - Sprinter Sacre, Sizing Europe, Moscow Flyer, Pendil, Flyingbolt and Fortria to name but a few. The most successful jockey in the race is Barry Geraghty with 4 wins, and the most successful trainer title is shared by Tom Dreaper and Nicky Henderson with 5 wins apiece. Whilst the race demands speed and accurate jumping from young novices, it has also thrown up some notable stayers such as Tidal Bay, My Way de Solzen and Alverton.
With the introduction of the JLT Novices Chase over 2m5f, ante post punters are often left wondering whether their fancy will head to the Arkle or the longer race, so the market can be quite fluid until final targets are clarified. However, as last year with Un De Sceaux, we have a very clear, short-priced horse trained by Willie Mullins at the top of the market, namely last year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Douvan.
Prices as of 20th January (Bet 365):
Douvan 8/13
L’ami Serge 7/1
Vaniteux 8/1
Ar Mad 12/1
Killultagh Vic 14/1
Garde La Victoire 16/1
20/1 Bar
As with the Supreme, this is a very restrictive ante post market with little value left and huge uncertainty around which horses will actually run. The races closes for entries on Jan 26th so expect to see full entries published on the 27th with supplementary stage on March 9th.
The 2016 Cheltenham Festival Megathread
The Arkle Challenge Trophy (or simply "The Arkle" as it is more commonly known) is the 2 mile championship race for novice chasers and is run on the Tuesday of the festival over 2 miles on the old course, with 13 fences to be jumped. The race is named in memory of the great Arkle, whose statue can be seen at the course:
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As the race is for novices, there have been no multiple winners, but some of the greatest chasers in the history of the sport have lifted this coveted prize - Sprinter Sacre, Sizing Europe, Moscow Flyer, Pendil, Flyingbolt and Fortria to name but a few. The most successful jockey in the race is Barry Geraghty with 4 wins, and the most successful trainer title is shared by Tom Dreaper and Nicky Henderson with 5 wins apiece. Whilst the race demands speed and accurate jumping from young novices, it has also thrown up some notable stayers such as Tidal Bay, My Way de Solzen and Alverton.
With the introduction of the JLT Novices Chase over 2m5f, ante post punters are often left wondering whether their fancy will head to the Arkle or the longer race, so the market can be quite fluid until final targets are clarified. However, as last year with Un De Sceaux, we have a very clear, short-priced horse trained by Willie Mullins at the top of the market, namely last year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Douvan.
Prices as of 20th January (Bet 365):
Douvan 8/13
L’ami Serge 7/1
Vaniteux 8/1
Ar Mad 12/1
Killultagh Vic 14/1
Garde La Victoire 16/1
20/1 Bar
As with the Supreme, this is a very restrictive ante post market with little value left and huge uncertainty around which horses will actually run. The races closes for entries on Jan 26th so expect to see full entries published on the 27th with supplementary stage on March 9th.
The 2016 Cheltenham Festival Megathread
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