Cheltenham Race Festival » Arkle Chase

Maximum 12 For Arkle

Cheltenham Races — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:42:31 +0000

Run over two miles, the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase takes place at Cheltenham on Tuesday 16th March 2010 at 2.05pm and is considered one of the major races of the Cheltenham Festival. A maximum field of 12 horses is allowed and all spots have been filled with the final runners declared for the novice chase.

Among the high-class field of contenders are the Eddie Harty-trained Captain Cee Bee, the Henry de Bromhead trained Sizing Europe and Somersby, who is trained by Henrietta Knight. Nicky Henderson is doubly represented with Riverside Theatre and Mad Max.

Actor Jimmy Nesbitt is part of the syndicate which owns Riverside Theatre, who is currently 8-1 with Paddy Power Bookmakers. He told At The Races: “I saw him a little bit of week [ago] and he looked very ready. We’re very happy and I’m very excited. He’s only run over fences twice so we don’t know how he will react to such a strong field. It’s a very competitive race and I just hope he gets round okay. There’s a lot of excitement and I’ve never been as nervous in my life.”

Riverside Theatre will have his work cut out for him if he’s to seriously contend for the Arkle title especially if it turns out that Captain Cee Bee, Somersby and Sizing Europe are in good form because on the day they will be very difficult to beat.

Arkle Chase Prep for Somersby

Cheltenham Races — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:42:18 +0000

Somersby is the six year old Irish horse trained by the legendary Henrietta Knight and is currently the leading British trained contender for the Arkle Chase to be held at Cheltenham on Tuesday 16th March 2010.

Knight is planning a low-key Cheltenham preparation race for Somersby and is looking at Hereford on January 31, the £10,000 Lindley Catering Novice Chase, as the potential warm-up to the Arkle. Despite the recent cold snap Knight continued to train her horses outside but thankfully they are all back on the gallops now.

Somersby has only ridden in eight races – 6 hurdles and two chases, winning four of them and placing third on another three so he is definitely on form with 1/41333-11.

Paddy Power have Somersby at 7/1, Ladbrokes have him at 8/1, Coral at 7/1 and William Hill at 7/1.

Arkle Chase Runners and Odds

Cheltenham Races — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:10:07 +0000

The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase takes place at Cheltenham on Tuesday 16th March 2010 at 2.05pm and is considered one of the major races of the Cheltenham Festival. Run over two miles, this race use to be known as the Cotswold Chase but had a name change in 1969 to the Arkle Trophy to honour the legendary steeplechaser, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1965, 66 and 67.

Sponsorship of the race has changed hands a few times over the years with the Irish Independent pairing up with for the last 11 years. Previously it was Guinness from 1994 to 1999. It’s a novice champion chase and past winners include Forpadydeplasterer in 2009, Tidal Bay in 2008 and Voy Por Ustedes in 2006.

Antepost odds are quite tight as no real potential winner has emerged from the 21 runners that have been entered so over the coming weeks you may see some of them getting one last run-out before the big day which could help you decide who you want to put your money on!

2.05 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 2m

Sizing Europe Straight To Arkle

Cheltenham Races — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:43:55 +0000

Sizing Europe has had an incredible unbeaten streak of late (5-41111) and it was thought that as he hadn’t had a run out since December 09 that he would participate in next weekend’s Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Chase at Leopardstown but trainer Henry de Bromhead has confirmed that that is unlikely and he will instead stick to the original plan and send him straight to Cheltenham for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase which takes place on Tuesday 16th March at 2.05pm.

Sizing Europe has won all four of his chase starts, highlighted by his win at Leopardstown in the Grade 1 Bord na Mona with Nature Novice Chase but currently remains second favourite at 15/2 after Captain Cee Bee, 5/1, to take the title.

According to Racing Post, De Bromhead said on Sunday: “After Sizing Europe won the Grade 1 at Leopardstown at Christmas, we said that we favoured sending him to Cheltenham without another run as he is horse who runs well fresh.”

For the full list of odds available for both this weekends Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Chase at Leopardstown as well as the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase at Cheltenham just check out Paddy Power Bookmakers.