2012 Arkle Chase Cheltenham Festival Preview

As the calendar turns over to a new year we always know that means Cheltenham is only three months away. Needless to say we're taking a look at some of the long-term markets for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival and there's a lot to like about the 2012 Arkle Chase on opening day.

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Sprinter Sacre is trading as the outright favourite in this one and that's got a lot to do with his recent string of victories. Currently 2/2 during the 2011/12 National Hunt season, the six-year-old gelded son of Network represents a potential breakout star in Nicky Henderson's yard. He spent only a year on the hurdles circuit, finishing third to Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices at the end of his campaign.

Since switching over to proper fences, we've seen him grab a novice chase at Doncaster by a whopping 24 lengths and then following it up with another massive score, this time at Grade 2 level, at Kempton in the williamhill.com Novices' Chase.

The ante post markets now have Sprinter Sacre trading at a solid 5/2 margin and that's quite short when you realize that the race is still some distance out.

Peddlers Cross looks sharp going forward and is the leading stand-out of the pack priced up a bit higher than Sprinter Sacre. Currently floating around the 6/1-8/1 margin, Peddlers Cross was recently bested by Sprinter Sacre in the aforementioned Grade 2 contest. Prior to that he's taken back to back contests at Bangor-on-Dee in November.

Look for him to have another effort prior to festival time to get him razor sharp.

Al Ferof is in contention in the Victor Chandler Chase and he's also taking some money here. Punters will find him anywhere from 5/1 to 7/1.

Cue Card is in the frame for the 2012 Arkle and he's listed at either 8/1 or 12/1, depending on whom you're backing him with. Walkon is a nice each-way selection at 25/1 with Menorah now at a 14/1 margin. Get Me Out Of Here is listed as high as 50/1 while Sam Winner and Dunguib both trade at 25/1.