14:10 Cheltenham

Tuesday 14 March 2017

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 3m 55.60s

A Hare Breath⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: B Pauling| OR: 147

25/1

Finished fourth in a valuable handicap hurdle here on his final start in that sphere. Winner of a novice chase at Bangor on his penultimate start but well held by today's rival Forest Bihan at Doncaster last time out. Seems best with plenty of cut in the ground and any rain would aid his chance.

Form:

Altior³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 170

1/4

Rising star of the jumping ranks who ran out the impressive winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle here in 2016. Unbeaten in four outings over fences including in a Grade 1 at Sandown in December and when slamming vastly more experienced rivals including November's Grade 2 winner Fox Norton by 13L in Grade 2 contest at Newbury. Handled this track well as a novice hurdler and already receiving favourable comparisons with the yards dual Champion Chase winner Sprinter Sacre. Likely to prove very hard to beat.

Form: 1-11111

Charbel^t¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 147

9/1

Finished fifth behind Altior in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last year but looks likely to make up into a classy chaser based on his performances so far this season. Has had just the two starts over fences, winning over 2m at Uttoxeter in October, a race in which he had a couple of useful rivals in behind while his only other outing came when again chasing home the impressive Altior at Sandown. Unraced since then and he's likely to put up a bold show.

Form: 215-512

Cloudy Dream⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 147

12/1

Northern raider who finished runner-up behind Forest Bihan at Doncaster last time out in January. Also finished second at Haydock this season following victories at that track and Carlisle earlier in the campaign. He made up into a useful hurdler last season and promises to be even better over fences but likely to find a few too good in this.

Form: 13112-1

Forest Bihan⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: B Ellison| OR: 149

12/1

Seems an improved performer over fences this season with sole defeat coming behind the useful Waiting Patiently at Newcastle in early December. Had also recorded wins at that track and at Towcester this season prior to winning a Grade 2 contest at Doncaster at the end of January. Steps up in class here and one of the dark horses in the field, though worth noting his yard have a poor record at this track (0/22 in recent seasons).

Form: 2P36-U1

Ordinary World⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

25/1

Fair hurdler last season and winner of one of his three starts over fences this year. Successful on chasing debut at Fairyhouse in October and not beaten far in graded contests by classy novice's Identity Thief and Min (in a Grade 1 last time out). Hasn't been seen in action since December and could go well for a yard who have won this before.

Form: F-01223

Royal Caviar^h⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins

6/1

Useful hurdler who has endured a severe bout of seconditis throughout his career. He finished runner-up no fewer than five times over hurdles (also won a maiden event at Thurles) but made no mistake in justifying odds-on favouritism at the first attempt over fences at Thurles in December. Was still travelling well and looked a likely winner when coming down at the final fence in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown subsequently. Chances if putting in a clear round.

Form: 1222-1F

Some Plan^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148

20/1

Switch to his current yard for this campaign has seen him run out the winner of three chases (still going okay when falling here on only other outing for them). Fortuitous winner of what developed into a match race when Royal Caviar (re-opposes here) came down at the final fence in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time out. Interesting runner for a yard who have won this in the past.

Form: 404-01F

Three Stars⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 140

66/1

Winner of his first two outings over fences earlier this season but suffered three straight defeats in graded company since including behind Le Prezien at Cheltenham and finishing behind Ordinary World in a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown last time out. Likely to struggle.

Form: 8-51133

Forecasts

Altior (1/4), Royal Caviar (6/1), Charbel (9/1), Cloudy Dream (12/1), Forest Bihan (12/1), Some Plan (20/1), Ordinary World (25/1), A Hare Breath (25/1), Three Stars (66/1)

ALTIOR has been impressive in all four starts over fences so far including when defeating more experienced rivals at Newbury last time out. The selections trainer won this in both 2012 and 2013 and he looks likely to prove very hard to beat in this Grade 1 contest with the predicted ground likely to suit also. Of the remainder Royal Caviar looked the most likely winner of a Grade 1 contest in Ireland last time out prior to falling at the last, while he lacks the experience of many of his rivals having had just two outings over fences, he represents top connections here. Of the remainder Charbel comes into this race having finished runner-up to the selection last time out, while both Some Plan and Forest Bihan have impressive records over fences.