Cheltenham Arkle Chase Facts

First run in 1969 to commemorate the achievements of the legendary Irish horse Arkle, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, three years running (1964-1966), this is the novices version of the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Of late winners of the Arkle have had a good record when going on to the 2M Championship race – Moscow Flyer, Azertyioup and Voy Por Ustedes all winners of this race proving successful in subsequent years.

The longest-priced winner was Gala’s Image, successful at 25/1 in 1987, while Pendil (1972) and Chinrullah (1979) are the shortest-priced scorers at 10/11. Six other favourites have won – Canasta Lad (1974), Clayside (1981), Bobsline (1984), Remittance Man (1991), Klairon Davis (1995) and Azertyuiop (2003).

Last year, as usual with the Arkle, they went a real good gallop and there were not many still on the bridle a couple of fences out. That pace contributed to plenty of mistakes but no fallers with all of the 12 strong field completing the course. Sizing Europe put previous Cheltenham disappointments behind him to hold off the fast-finishing Somersby who showed that he will be much better suited by longer distances in the future. In common with past winners Sizing Europe was a highly rated hurdler and he will be headed this year like past winners to the main 2M event at the Festival, the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Osana finished third for Ireland, completing a 1-3 for them and possibly the most eye-catching run came from the Riverside Theatre who finished fifth – he seemed unsuited by the undulations here at Cheltenham and will be better suited by a flatter track.

Finally, the favourite Captain Cee Bee once again showed his fragile nature, bursting a blood vessel and trailing home in eighth.

So what will the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival 2011 have in store? Well, although the fields tend to be getting a little smaller each year they still contain plenty of quality and punters should take very careful note of the best hurdlers in the field as they generally are the ones to concentrate upon. Favourites of late have a poor record, but it does pay to concentrate on runners just behind the favourite with second-fourth favourites having a particularly good record, winning 14 of the last 18 runnings of the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase. This year, Ghizao, trained by Paul Nicholls, looks to have a decent chance.

Lastly whatever you do don’t be tempted to back a an out and out front runner in this race – only the classy Azertyuiop of late has managed that feat, making it just one front running performance since 1980 to win with that running style.