14:10 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2019

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

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

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 3m 58.90s

Articulum^t⁶⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: T O'Brien| OR: 145| D

25/1

Useful over hurdles he's matched that form over fences despite coming late to the chasing game. Made an encouraging start to his career over fences bettering his debut effort when beating two rivals at Naas (2m) last time; open to progress.

Form: 4247-21

Clondaw Castle¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 144| D

33/1

Connections made the late decision to run him here on the back of his progressive form of late; took three rivals apart last time (raised 10lb for that effort). Not one to be taken lightly but this will be tougher; faces competition for the lead.

Form: 17-5211

Duc Des Genievres²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| BF

5/1

Finished fifth in last year's Ballymore; has improved on that form over fences getting off the mark at the third attempt. Routed a big-field in a Beginners Chase at Gowran Park last time by 15L; a repeat of that run good enough for a place at least.

Form: 556-231

Glen Forsa²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: M R Channon| OR: 150| D

9/2

Risen up through the handicap ranks to become a legitimate contender at a higher level. Annihilated two rivals including an off-colour Kalashnikov last time in a 2m Grade 2 at Sandown under an attacking ride; unlikely to get a soft lead here though.

Form: 5/22111

Hardline^h³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| D

10/3

3-5 over fences including at the highest level although that Limerick win was rather fortunate. Slightly disappointing last time in a Grade 1 over 2m5f (hampered by quicker ground/mid-race blunder); not written off back down in trip off strong pace.

Form: 8-12113

Kalashnikov²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 148| BF| D

6/1

Just touched off in last year's Supreme he's taken well to fences without quite reaching the same level as yet (may well get there). Disappointing behind Glen Forsa last time (made mistakes); needs to bounce back here, softer ground may help.

Form: 12-1122

Knocknanuss³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 148| D

33/1

Another bold front-runner who fell on his chasing debut but has confirmed himself a smart novice since at 2m. Won't look out of place here although he does appear on the back of another fall last time; Grand Annual a better option for him this time.

Form: 4-F112F

Lalor⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: K Woollacott| OR: 151| BF| CD

13/2

The only C&D winner in the field on his chasing debut (also smart Grade 1 winning hurdler) he failed to fire when last seen in December (never got into any rhythm). Connections blamed the ground (soft) on that occasion; needs to find redemption.

Form: 3201-13

Ornua⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 151| D

14/1

One of two runners for this yard he's had plenty of chasing experience winning at up to Grade 3 level; not seen since finishing second to Dynamite Dollars last year (Lalor third). Usually given an attacking ride; faces plenty of pace pressure here.

Form: 112122

Paloma Blue⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147| D

10/1

Returns to the Festival having finished fourth in last year's Supreme; quickly established himself as smart over fences. Scored on his second start over fences (may have been fortunate); not always fluent, entitled to do better; back from a break.

Form: 1340-41

Slate House^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| CD

66/1

Won his first two over hurdles here but hasn't won since (faced some stiff tasks). Showed an aptitude for fences prior to having wind surgery off the back of which he produced his best display over fences; tough task, may do better than odds suggest.

Form: 5F8-452

Us And Them^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 152| D

14/1

Smart form over fences (has twice chased home the now injured Le Richebourg; would have started favourite for this last twice). Has won at this trip but may need to need to step up in trip to be successful at graded level over fences.

Form: 0-41222

Forecasts

Hardline (10/3), Glen Forsa (9/2), Duc Des Genievres (5/1), Kalashnikov (6/1), Lalor (13/2), Paloma Blue (10/1), Us And Them (14/1), Ornua (14/1), Articulum (25/1), Clondaw Castle (33/1), Knocknanuss (33/1), Slate House (66/1)

The Arkle sees its biggest field since 2010 and a far more open contest than usual (last four favourites have won, all at odds-on). One element of the race that should be guaranteed is pace with several of these looking likely to go forward including the leading contender Glen Forsa who looks assured in the jumping department. A well-run race is sure to suit two of the Irish contenders in HARDLINE and Duc De Genievres both of whom have scored over further. The former is a powerful traveller whilst the latter represents Willie Mullins who has trained three of the last four winners. Testing ground would prove a problem for Lalor while Kalashnikov needs to bounce back from a poor run last time.