Cheltenham Preview Arkle Chase Pt 2

He looks extremely likely to opt for the Arkle over his other entry - the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He trades at a 20/1 listing for that contest and would likely be outmatched by the calibre of competition on offer. However, if he was to pull off a victory in the Arkle this season then the Champion Chase is definitely in the cards for him during his 2014/15 campaign. 

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With his win over course and distance, you would say he’s a better shot at 7/1 than Champagne Fever at 4/1. It will be interesting to see where his price goes over the next two weeks and how it unfolds in the week building up to the festival with the final declarations. 

Trifolium lines up in Gigginstown House colors are enters fresh off a Grade 1 victory at Leopardstown in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase. He romped home by a full nine lengths when sent off at a solid price of 7/1. Defy Logic had gone off as the 11/8 favourite and looked to have been undone by the heavy ground. Trifolium also boasts the advantage of being able to handle all sorts of ground with victories coming on yielding and heavy with good second-place efforts over soft ground. 

Hinterland lines up for Paul Nicholls and he’s been able to take both of his efforts this year with the most notable being a Grade 1 score at Sandown in the Racing Post Henry VIII Novice Chase. Able to neck out Grandouet and finish well ahead of Taquin Du Seuil when sent off as the Pricewise choice that day, Hinterland represents a novice chaser that still looks like he has a lot left to offer as he gets better with each race and he was able to demonstrate some real maturity last time out. 

Alan King’s charge Valdez also looks to be gaining momentum as a selection here with his price hovering around a general 12/1. He’s taken all three efforts this year and then captured the Grade 2 Lightning Novice Chase at Doncaster in late January. His jumping hasn’t looked exactly 100% in any of those races with a few obvious mistakes here and there but he still manages to get the job done each time. If he finds his feet a bit more with the two month break he will be a dangerous on on the run-in. He also represents an each-way shout at his current price with this being his only entry.