Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase Guide 2022

Coeur Sublime looks to be a horse that has benefitted from the switch to fences, finishing runner up to Ferny Hollow, then third to Riviere D'etel and again, Ferny Hollow.

He won his most recent start at odds of 1/6 with the minimum of fuss, travelling and jumping superbly.

He has a nice mark, which would have been perfect for one of the handicap chases at the Festival, though connections have stood their ground in this, which can only be taken as a vote of confidence.

With no Ferny Hollow he would look to have solid enough claims, though he might just lack a touch of star quality.

Alan King looks to have another serious horse on his hands with G1 winner Edwardstone, and he's one of the leading British hopes for day one of the Festival.

A solid handicap hurdler turned chaser, Edwardstone is another that's benefitted from the switch to the larger obstacles.

Unbeaten in four starts that he's completed (brought down when travelling well on chase debut) he's looked a class act each and every time.

Latterly taking the Kingmaker in decisive fashion. He jumps sound and has a potent finishing effort (which he lacked over hurdles) he's the one to beat.

A progressive sort for Venetia Williams, winning three handicaps this season in good style.

On his fifth and most recent start, he ran in the G2 Kingmaker at Warwick finishing third to Edwardstone, though he had For Pleasure well beat in third.

Hard to know where his ceiling is - but safely held by Edwardstone on that evidence. 

War Lord is entitled to take his chance here, winning three from four over fences, beating some nice horses on each occasion.

However, he was brushed aside by Edwardstone at Sandown when no match in the G1 Henry VII Novices' Chase. He is a good jumper with a high cruising speed, but maybe lacks a touch of class.

Well and truly held by Edwarstone and will have to improve significantly to reverse that form.

A nice enough horse for trainer Emma Lavelle, he is one from three over fences, with one fall to his name.

Latterly, he won a novice chase at Hereford against moderate horses, he would need to step up a great deal to have any sort of say in the finish here.

Looks a mammoth task. 

An interesting runner for Gavin Cromwell, Gabynako, has been running over a longer trip thus far.

I'm not so sure whether his jumping is good enough to lie up with some of these, and the drop down in trip may hinder his ability to get into a rhythm.

If his jumping does hold up, he's certainly got the ability to take this and will stay galloping up the hill. Place claims at most, but hard to dismiss entirely.

An impressive winner on chase debut at Fairyhouse beating Thedevilscoachman and El Barra with a mighty gap back to the fourth, Saint Sam impressed there with his jumping speed and ability.

He has a massive engine and he looked to be going very well last time before two errors at the fourth last and second last against Blue Lord and Riviere D'etel in the Irish Arkle.

It was a shame to see him make those silly errors after impressing with his technique prior. If he jumps sound here he'll be a hard horse to pass.

Definite claims.

Riviere D'etel has been a revelation over fences, she just keeps winning.

She's three from five and was beaten by Ferny Hollow (ruled out with injury) and was unlucky not to have beaten Blue Lord on the track, and in the steward's room last time out.

This deadly accurate jumper with a high cruising speed will certainly travel well and she has leading form claims, beating horses such as; Saint Sam, Haut En Couleurs and Couer Sublime this season.

Massive chance.

A winner of his beginners chase for Willie Mullins.

Haut En Couleurs has good course form, finishing third on his debut for Willie in last year's Triumph Hurdle, which was a massive performace.

Though he won on chase debut, he then fell last time out in the Irish Arkle (contested by Blue Lord, Riviere D'etel and Saint Sam).

His jumping was put under pressure early and he capitulated at the third fence. He has huge ability, though his incompletion last time out has to be a major worry.

Magic Daze has been well supported in the last couple of weeks and she's not without a chance.

Like Riviere D'etel she will receive weight from the boys which will help her cause. She was a close third to Concertista last time out who's fancied for the Mares Chase on Friday.

She is an accurate jumper who likes to bowl along on the front end, but she won't get it all her own way here, as there are several confirmed front runners in the field.

Will need to improve to beat the market principles but is dangerous to write off.

A winner of all three chase starts this year. Arguably fortunate to win last time out against Riviere D'etel, (capitalised on her mistake and survived a stewards enquiry after interference).

Blue Lord was a distant second to Appreciate It in last year's Supreme Hurdle, but has looked all the better for the switch to fences.

His jumping is very safe and economical and seems to have settled a lot better too. He's massive ability (winning by a cumulative 25L in three starts) and will likely be bang there at the finish.