Starluck Potential Joker In Arkle Pack

A potential ‘joker in the pack’ for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in mid-March has emerged in the shape of the smart two-mile hurdler Starluck, who is set to try his luck over the larger obstacles only a month before the big race itself takes place, writes Elliot Slater.

Alan Fleming’s grey was last seen finishing third to Binocular in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in mid-January. Second to Peddlers Cross in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November, Starluck has come up just short of the very top level this term and the decision has been taken by connections to send him over fences at the first opportunity, with a view to possibly bidding for the two-mile novice chasing championship on March 15 and supporters will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the Cheltenham betting if he goes well in his next outing.

A novice chase at Huntingdon next week or a race at Taunton the week after have been pencilled in by the six-year-old’s handler, and if he comes through his race with flying colours there is a real possibility that the Andrew Wates-owned gelding could bid for the Arkle Chase on the back of only one previous outing over fences.

Fleming reports Starluck to have schooled very well indeed at home and observed that the horse really seems to enjoy the challenge of the bigger obstacles. If he does go to Cheltenham for the novice chasing championship event a new jockey will have to be found as regular pilot Timmy Murphy has already been claimed to ride Ghizao for Paul Nicholls. It’s unlikely though that there will be a shortage of riders on the phone offering their services.

Starluck is generally on offer at 25/1 to land the Arkle Chase (33s available in the odd spot) behind 9/2 co-favourites Ghizao, Medermit and Finian’s Rainbow.