A test not only of jumping ability over the bigger obstacles but also of speed, the Arkle Challenge Trophy two-mile trip is the minimum over fences and tests jumping at speed to the limit, a real highlight of the Cheltenham Festival.
This is the race where future Queen Mother Champion Chase winners are found - will we have one in this year’s field?
Read on for Arkle Challenge Trophy odds, tips and free bets for the 2024 race.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, March 12th - 2:10pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £98,472 |
| Distance: | Two-miles |
| Race Type: | Grade 1 Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | Old Course |
| Weights: | 11st 4lb, 7lb allowance for mares |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Arkle Chase Betting Offers & Free Bets
Arkle Challenge Trophy Tips
This year’s Arkle looks like a tight betting heat, but our top tipster, Alan Kelly, is siding with Gaelic Warrior.
Alan Kelly - Gaelic Warrior
After winning his first two races over fences, at Punchestown and Limerick, I thought Willie Mullins’ three-mile Grade 1 winning hurdler Gaelic Warrior could be the next big chasing superstar to emerge, with the Maxios gelding looking adaptable distance-wise.
Despite taking on another potential top-notcher in stablemate Fact Or File in a match at the Dublin Racing Festival, I expected yet another breathtaking victory for Paul Townsend’s mount. Well beaten when unseating his rider at the final fence, this was not the horse who had treated his rivals with such contempt in those first two novice chases. The runner-up in the second, Il Etait Temps, went on to win a Grade 1 at Leopardstown.
Upset in the preliminaries at Leopardstown, before taking a keen hold during the race, I think it could be safe to put a line through that disappointing performance, a run that was too bad to be true. If connections had come straight here from Limerick with Gaelic Warrior, the six-year-old would probably be nearer even money to win this Grade 1 two-miler, even though the selection is possibly better going right-handed.
Arkle Chase Betting Odds
Seven of the last runnings of the Arkle have been won by the market leader, which bodes well for antepost favourite Gaelic Warrior.
However, his trainer, Willie Mullins, has gone on record to say that Cheltenham isn’t the ideal track for him.
He’s set to be tested to the maximum by a high-class field that includes stablemates Il Etait Temps and Hunters Yarn, the Gordon Elliott-trained Found A Fifty, and JPR One for trainer Joe Tizzard.
What Happened Last Year?
The 2023 Arkle was, in essence, a two-horse race between El Fabiolo and Jonbon, both of whom were unbeaten over fences heading into the race.
And it was the Irish-trained El Fabiolo who took the victory, jumping impeccably and outclassing Jonbon to win by a comfortable five and a half lengths.
Arkle Chase Key Race Stats
- 10 of the last 13 winners came from the top three in the betting
- 8 of the last 11 renewals have been won by the favourite
- Outsiders taking this prize home are somewhat of a rarity
Previous Winners of the Arkle Chase
Below, we’ve listed the last five winners of the Arkle.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023 | El Fabiolo |
| 2022 | Edwardstone |
| 2021 | Shishkin |
| 2020 | Put The Kettle On |
| 2019 | Duc Des Genievres |
FAQs
Is the Arkle a novice chase?
Yes, the Arkle is a novice chase and only open to novice chasers, horses that have not won a chase race in their previous season.
What distance is the Arkle Chase?
The Arkle Chase is ran over a distance of two miles, the minimum trip for a chase contest.
What is the prize money for the Arkle?
The winner of the 2024 Arkle Novice Chase will take home £98,472 in prize money.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 1 races:
