The Cheltenham Arkle Challenge Trophy is a Grade 1 National Hunt Chase and is open to horses aged five years and older. It’s an exciting event early on in the Cheltenham Festival card being the second race to take place on Day 1 of the meeting. The Arkle is the leading middle distance race of the season for novice chasers. It’s contested over a trip of two miles and there are 12 fences for the runners to negotiate.

First run in 1969, the Arkle Challenge Trophy replaced the Cotswold Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and is named after the all time great horse and three time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Arkle. The Irish Independent Newspaper have been sponsors of the Arkle Chase since 1999. It was previously supported by Waterford Castle as well as Guinness.

Five jockeys have won the Arkle three times each. They are Glen Kelly, Pat Taaffe, Richard Dunwoody, Jamie Osborne and most recently, Tony McCoy. Last year’s race was won by the Philip Hobbs trained Captain Chris. The seven year old ridden by Richard Johnson put up his best performance of the season to win by two and three quarter lengths from Finian’s Rainbow at odds of 6/1.

2012 Cheltenham Arkle Chase Trends

All of the last 10 winners had run in between 1 and 5 chases
All of the last 10 winners came from the first five in the betting
9 of the last 10 winners had finished in the first 2 on all completed chase starts
9 of the last 10 winners were rated 140 or more over hurdles
7 of the last 10 winners have been aged 7 or 8 years old
Only 1 of the last 10 winners started favourite

2012 Cheltenham Arkle Chase Tips

A race that usually goes to a fancied runner but usually not the favourite, the Arkle is all about speed and which horse can put in the best round of jumping at pace. Errors prove costly but the complexion of the race can also change dramatically in the closing stages as tired horses often get out battled in the finish. Heading the market for the 2012 Arkle currently is the Nicky Henderson trained Sprinter Sacre. This five year old would need to break the strong age trend as well as the poor record that favourites have in the race but he has looked extremely impressive in his two runs over fences this season and is the horse they all have to beat.

I could be mad, but I’m sticking with an old favourite of mine in the shape of Menorah. This horse has so much ability but is yet to get his act together properly over fences. I feel like he is going to be much better suited by the strong pace and big field this race will provide and we will see his true colours come the Festival. The fact that the stable won the Arkle last year and that Menorah has won here previously over hurdles is a big plus.

Tipsters Pick: Back Menorah each way @ 12/1 with bet365

2012 Cheltenham Arkle Chase Betting Odds (Prices from bet365)

Sprinter Sacre 9/4
Peddlers Cross 3/1
Al Ferof 5/1
Cue Card 8/1
Menorah 12/1
Bog Warrior 12/1
Blackstairmountain 20/1
Kid Cassidy 20/1
Call The Police 20/1
Cristal Bonus 20/1
25/1 Bar

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Article & Tips provided by Jamie Currie