Arkle Challenge Trophy Odds

Trainers of novice chasers with aspirations of having a Queen Mother Champion Chase or potentially even a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender in the future will first typically look to see their horses run with credit in the Arkle. The race is run over 2m and is one of the bigger races on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival each year.

Sound jumping a big boost in the Arkle Challenge Trophy odds

Because all of the horses are novices, it is often the quality of the jumping that tends to decide the winner. Jumping errors are relatively common as most of the runners are still largely inexperienced in tackling big fences in front of large crowds. Therefore, getting a horse into a good jumping rhythm, giving it plenty of daylight to get a good sighting of an upcoming fence and seeing an optimum stride are all pivotal.

It is certainly a worthy argument that the Arkle more than most other races are won by the tactics and carefulness of a jockey than the quality of the horse. Saying that, some quality horses of recent years won the Arkle in their younger years, including Moscow Flyer, Well Chief, Voy Por Ustedes and Sizing Europe.

Last season’s top hurdlers look leading Arkle Challenge Trophy odds contenders

Some big-name hurdlers from last season’s Cheltenham Festival currently head the Arkle betting. Champion Hurdle runner-up Peddlers Cross is prominent in the betting, as is last season’s Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Al Ferov. Elsewhere in the betting, Sprinter Sacre and Menorah enjoyed solid hurdling careers and could continue their development over the bigger obstacles.