14:10 Cheltenham

Tuesday 15 March 2022

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:18 | Winning time: 3m 51.32s

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Selected odds by:

Blue Lord^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| D

4/1

Smart novice hurdler last term and has made a perfect start over fences, making it 3-3 when fending off Riviere d'Etel by ½ length in Leopardstown Grade 1 last month. Bold bid looks assured.

Form: 3F3-111

Brave Seasca³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 146| D

80/1

Completed a handicap chase hat-trick this winter. Ran well again but seemed to have his limitations exposed when, in receipt of 5 lb, he was beaten 5¾ lengths by Edwardstone in Kingmaker at Warwick.

Form: 1-61113

Coeur Sublime^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 150| D

18/1

Smart hurdler who ran very well behind Ferny Hollow on first 2 chase starts (including Grade 1 third) before making the most of a drop back to maiden company at Gowran. More to come from him.

Form: 0/47-231

Edwardstone³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 159| D

5/2

Has laid down his marker as a serious Arkle candidate with victories in Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown in December and Grade 2s at Kempton and Warwick since. Looks the one to beat.

Form: 3-B1111

Gabynako^t1⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: K M Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 152| D

25/1

Excellent second to Beacon Edge in Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse (2½m) in November. Below-par third at Limerick on Boxing Day. Tongue tied first time. Shorter trip a worry. Supplemented for £8,000.

Form: U5-2123

Haut En Couleurs³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

6/1

Twice placed in Grade 1 company as a juvenile hurdler and made winning start over fences at Leopardstown over Christmas. Fell early in Grade 1 there since. Remains an exciting prospect.

Form: 133-1F

Red Rookie⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 138| D

80/1

Bumper/hurdle winner and quickly an even better chaser, bouncing back from a fall at Ascot to win a 2m Hereford novice in January. Open to further progress but this surely asking too much.

Form: 514-2U1

Saint Sam^h³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S F O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153

12/1

Last year's Fred Winter runner-up who made winning start over fences at Fairyhouse. Behind Blue Lord and Riviere d'Etel in Leopardstown Grade 1 since but that was a good run so early in chase career.

Form: 4225-13

War Lord⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 149| D

50/1

Only defeat in 4 chase starts came when 16 lengths second to Edwardstone in Henry VIII at Sandown in December. Likeable type but he'll surely come up short here.

Form: 47-1121

Magic Daze¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138| BF| D

12/1

Easy winner of Cork maiden chase in November. Her jumping wasn't quite so polished when third in Grade 2 there next time but she remains open to progress for yard which won this with a mare in 2020.

Form: 124-313

Riviere D'etel³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 150| BF| D

7/2

Easily won first 3 starts over fences. Even better form when second in pair of Leopardstown Grade 1s since, going down by ½ length to Blue Lord latterly (may have won but for mistake last). Player.

Form: 7-11122

Forecasts

Edwardstone (5/2), Riviere D'etel (7/2), Blue Lord (4/1), Haut En Couleurs (6/1), Magic Daze (12/1), Saint Sam (12/1), Coeur Sublime (18/1), Gabynako (25/1), War Lord (50/1), Red Rookie (80/1), Brave Seasca (80/1)

The likeable EDWARDSTONE was foot perfect when making short work of smart opposition in the Kingmaker and can see off the Irish challenge, headed by Riviere d'Etel, who may have beaten Blue Lord at Leopardstown last time with a cleaner jump at the last. Haut En Couleurs came to grief early in that same Leopardstown race but is another who leaves the impression he can make his mark at this level.