14:10 Cheltenham
Tuesday 10 March 2020
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
- 5YO plus  |  Class 1  |  1m 7f 199y  |  Soft (Heavy in places)  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:11Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 8.14s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
C&D winner at the Showcase meeting but hasn't really progressed from that in three runs since. Runner-up in a four-runner Grade 2 at Doncaster last time but perhaps flattered by that losing margin; drying ground would be in his favour.
Good fourth in the Ballymore last year and unbeaten in two starts over fences this term. Big step up in class here and needs to show he has the tactical speed for this test but has to be considered an each-way contender.
Made it two wins from two starts over fences at Naas but beaten ¾L by Notebook at Leopardstown last time out. That re-opposing rival looked on top at the finish that day and he needs to progress to reverse that form.
Improved from chase debut to win at Exeter in November and took his form to a new level when landing a Sandown Grade 1 last time. Fair to say those prominent in the market didn't perform that day so likely to need further improvement here.
Produced a promising start to life over fences when winning a decent race at Navan and landed Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse where main rival fell 2 out in December. However, no match for Notebook last time who has improved again subsequently.
Shaped like he needed the run at Carlisle on return this season when a long way behind Brewin'upastrom but his jumping was much more fluent when landing a Grade 2 at Kempton last time (two of these in behind); may improve again.
Unbeaten in four over fences; made light work of a Punchestown Grade 2 prior to a pair of Grade 1 wins at Leopardstown. Better than winning margin suggests in both races and can confirm form with Fakir D'Oudairies and Cash Back on his latest starts.
Only a handicapper over hurdles and while he won well on chase debut at Taunton in January; there's no form in the book that suggests he will mix it at this level.
Ran with credit behind Global Citizen in a Kempton Grade 2 and bolted up in a Warwick Grade 2 last time. A big concern would be his performance over C&D earlier in the season on his only Cheltenham start; needs improvement regardless.
Progressive mare who's unbeaten in four starts over fences. Jumps well, as seen when winning at Doncaster prior to a facile success in Listed company at Huntingdon. Big step up in class and back against the boys but further improvement on the cards.
Impressive when the outsider of four here at the November meeting, making it four wins from five starts over fences; yard flying and quite possibly better than her Official Rating suggests but this is her toughest test to date by some margin.
Forecasts
Notebook (5/2), Fakir D'Oudairies (3/1), Cash Back (6/1), Brewin'upastorm (6/1), Rouge Vif (9/1), Esprit Du Large (12/1), Put The Kettle On (16/1), Al Dancer (16/1), Maire Banrigh (16/1), Global Citizen (33/1), Our Merlin (100/1)
Henry de Bromhead has a strong team for this year's Festival and one of his better chances of the week must be NOTEBOOK. The seven-year-old arrives here as a dual Grade 1 winner and he's vastly improved for both a switch to chasing and a drop in trip. Despite his unbeaten record over obstacles, he still gives the impression he can go on improving over fences and is taken to confirm form with the likes of Cash Back and Fakir D'Oudairies. Global Citizen took a big step forward last time and may continue to progress while the mares Put The Kettle On and Maire Banrigh aren't without each-way claims.
- Notebook
- Cash Back
- Maire Banrigh
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £98,472.002nd: £37,100.003rd: £18,568.004th: £9,275.005th: £4,655.006th: £2,328.007th: £1,155.008th: £595.00
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