Now that everyone has had time to digest my mediocre attempt at a horse racing preview, it’s time to hit you with another. Next up on the day one card is the Arkle. The grade one contest is run over 1m7f99y on the old course and usually draws a small field. Last year’s renewal was won by the all conquering ‘Shishkin’, who battered the field of five by 12 lengths. Thankfully, this year’s race looks like a much more open contest. It was blown wide open when hot favourite ‘Ferny Hollow’ had to withdraw recently due to injury. The Alan King trained ‘Edwardstone’ heads the market at 2/1 and represents a strong chance of a English trained winner.

Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase – 2:10pm March 15th

‘Edwardstone’ looks the worthy favourite here after swatting away ‘Third Time Lucki’ by four lengths in the grade 2 Kingmaker on February 12th. He looked impressive that day as he jumped well and kept on strongly up the running. The Alan King trained chaser has now won his last four and is looking in prime form for his return to Cheltenham. One of those four victories came in the 1m7f grade one contest at Sandown on Dec 21, where he beat ‘War Lord’ and ‘Third Time Lucki’ once again. In terms of Cheltenham form, ‘Edwardstone’ took home fifth place in the County Hurdle in 2021. He obviously didn’t set the world alight that day but stayed on really well up the hill and actually gained ground on the leaders from the second last to the line, coming from 17th to 5th. He looked like he relished the hill and with his abilities only amplified chasing, he looks about right at the top of the market. The only negative you pick at is that Alan King hasn’t had a winner at The Festival since 2015. Will the streak continue or will ‘Edwardstone’ get the job done?

Next up in the market is the Willie Mullins’ trained ‘Blue Lord’ at 3/1. The Simon Munir & Isaac Souede owned chaser is fresh off of grade one success at the Dublin Racing Festival, narrowly beating Riviere D’etel by 1/2l. Paul Townend was aboard that day and did some interesting manoeuvring to edge out the victory…. ‘Blue Lord’ has won his last three over the big obstacles, but his win in Leopardstown left a little to be desired. On a positive note, he looked like taking second behind ‘Appreciate It’ in last year’s Supreme, if he hadn’t fallen at the final hurdle. He has shown he has grade one pedigree, but the tight margin of victory the last day and slow finish certainly has some pundits picking holes.

The mare ‘Riviere D’etel’ put it up ‘Blue Lord’ the last day in Leopardstown in the Irish Arkle and likely would have won, had she not jumped the last like a drunk young fella doing the Grand National in Kilkee on a mild summers evening. The Bective Stud product broke my betting heart that day but will look to win mine and the hearts of punters back in Prestbury Park on March 15th. She has a lovely bit of additional form to boot, coming second to ‘Ferny Hollow’ in the grade one Racing Post Novice Chase on Stephen’s Day. She jumped a little right that day but didn’t fade and put in a spirited performance. Certainly, an interesting contender at 7/2.

The market opens up a bit after that, with ‘Haut En Couleurs’ and ‘Saint Sam’ rounding out the single figure prices. The Willie Mullins trained ‘Haut En Couleurs’ is certainly an interesting prospect having won his maiden by 51/2l in Leopardstown but proceeded to fall in the ‘Blue Lord’ win at Leopardstown. He came third in last year’s Triumph hurdle, so he is no stranger to good finishes at the Cheltenham track. ‘Saint Sam’ was no match for ‘Riviere D’etel’ and ‘Blue Lord’ in the Irish Arkle but did finish second in last year’s Boodles.

Out of the rest, you could argue that ‘War Lord’ at 25/1 looks a nice price. This race is wide open and should be an interesting contest on the day.

Jack’s pick: Haut En Couleurs E/W.

Dan’s pick: Edwardstone.

J.

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Jack’s pick: Sir Gerhard/Dysart Dynamo.

Dan’s pick: Constitutional Hill (Nap of day one).