Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 1m 7f 199y | 7 Runners | Turf

Newtown Rambler^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Oakley Brown| T: A Keatley| OR: 137| D

25/1

Enthusiastic front runner. Highly progressive when landing a chase hat-trick at Uttoxeter (2m) in June. Forgivable effort in the Summer Hurdle prior to capitalising on a soft lead in a 4-runner event at Kelso last time. Tall order to extend his winning sequence over fences in this company.

Form: P-111P1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Old Park Star²⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 155| CD

1/3

Highly impressive over hurdles last season. Touch of Altior about the performance when making it 4-4 in the Supreme Novice, leaving the impression we've yet to see the best of him. Most exciting chasing prospect, for all his yard has a comparatively poor record in this race (2 wins in 48 years).

Form: 23/1111-

Passing Diamond²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 128| D

25/1

Progressive front runner. Jumped impeccably when completing a hat-trick in another small field at Hexham last month. Progressed again when losing his unbeaten chase record to a once-smart hurdler over C&D latest. Tough ask up in class, especially with competition for the lead this time.

Form: 131112

Putapoundinthejar³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel King| T: A J Martin| OR: 139| D

22/1

Useful sort. Strong-travelling display when completing a double in Galway Hurdle this summer. Off the mark over fences at second time of asking in workmanlike style at Sligo in September (had a spin of Flat since). Stronger pace should suit here, though has plenty to find on bare form.

Form: 5-31121

Workahead¹⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 148| BF| D

4/1

Flying too high in the Champion Hurdle last season. Supported the notion he'll be better over fences when scoring easily on chasing debut. Jumping again looked an asset when turned over at Roscommon (soft) in June. Back on more suitable ground and likely best of the rest behind the market leaders.

Form: 0/429-12

Folie Golith²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 137| D

12/1

Fairly useful filly. Steadily improved over fences in France. Created a positive impression when decisively winning a 3-runner event on stable debut/return, the runner-up franking the form earlier this week. Stiff task against Kabral Du Mathan/Old Park Star, even in receipt of 15 lb.

Form: 42262-1

Non-Runners

Kabral Du Mathan³⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Old Park Star (2/7), Kabral Du Mathan (1/1), Workahead (4/1), Folie Golith (16/1), Newtown Rambler (25/1), Putapoundinthejar (33/1), Passing Diamond (33/1)

An exciting early-season clash. The mightily impressive OLD PARK STAR looks the one to beat if reproducing the pick of his hurdling form, with the potential for even better to come over fences. Kabral Du Mathan's only defeat since joining Dan Skelton came when a blatant non-stayer in the Stayers' Hurdle. He's a most worthy adversary with last month's impressive chasing debut success under his belt.