Arkle Challenge Trophy Trends

Named in honour of the legendary three time Gold Cup winner, here we see the stepping stone for novice chasers who are looking to dip their toes into the Champion Chase next season.

Always a classy affair the race has been in the grip of the Irish for the most part over the last few years with six of the last eight winners coming from the Emerald Isle, winning it again last year with the impressive El Fabiolo.

This year see's the Supreme winner Marine Nationale head the market but he failed to sparkle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The thing that stands out most in the Arkle is that 9 of the last 12 winners of this race have been trained by Willie Mullins (5) or Nicky Henderson (4).

Definitely trainers to keep in mind when looking at the market, they tend to target a good one at this race.

The Grade 1 Arkle has been won by horses aged six or seven 11 times in the past 12 years. Edwardstone (Eight) is the only horse to break that trend in 2022.

Keep those in the highlighted age bracket onside, the older horses might find it difficult to hold off young and more progressive rivals.

The most fascinating trend for this years renewal is the last 12 winners of the Arkle had all won their previous start before the festival.

The current favourite for this years race Marine National was 5th at the Dublin Racing Festival, a worrying trend for favourite backers.

Although the Arkle is a race for novice chasers racecourse experience has played an important part in this contest.

The last 12 winners of this race had at least 4 starts over hurdles before going chasing and 11 of those winners had also had at least 2 starts over fences.

Not only is racecourse experience important in the Arkle but Cheltenham experience has proved crucial as well.

10 of the last 12 winners of this race had previously had at least one start at Cheltenham before going on to win this. Pay attention to those who have proven themselves on the undulations of Prestbury Park.

Be wary of those having their first run at Cheltenham here.

The Willie Mullins trained inmate is coming off his biggest win to date after taking the Grade 1 Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The 6yo fits the age criteria and has previously visited Cheltenham twice over hurdles finishing 5th in the Triumph hurdle and then 5th in the Supreme Novice hurdle.

Il Etait Temps is current 5/1 second favourite for the race.