Cheltenham Arkle Challenge Trophy 2012 - Sacre Sprints to head of Arkle market

Sprinter Sacre propelled himself to the head of the 2012 Arkle Betting with a truly magnificent performance in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton, where he beat previous ante-post favourite Peddlers Cross by a staggering 16 lengths.

Nicky Henderson's hotpot produced a scintillating round of jumping and after Peddlers Cross had recovered from a first fence blunder was never able to get on terms with the Seven Barrows inmate, who merely trounced him with aplomb.

One of the most visually impressive performances of the season, instantly saw bookmakers slash his price for the 2m contest on March 13 and he will certainly be a tough contender to beat come the Cheltenham Festival if he makes it to the contest safe and sound.

Last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Al Ferof, who beat Sprinter Sacre at the 2011 festival, has made a faultless transition to the larger obstacles and having won on debut in impressive style at Cheltenham's Open meeting, then followed up with a battling success over For Non Stop in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices' Chase to maintain his unbeaten record.  However, the Ditcheat inmate came unstuck when taking on proven chasers in the Victor Chandler Chase and had to settle for this place behind Somersby and Finian's Rainbow.

Menorah had a brief return to hurdling after suffering a fall at Exeter on his chasing debut, but he returned to fences in late December and won comfortably for Philip Hobbs at Taunton before winning comfortably at Kempton Park the following month.  A few sketchy jumps will need to be ironed out before he lines up on the opening day of the festival, but wil lbe a lively contender.

Of the others, Cue Card has produced some eyecatching performances and will certainly be one not to discount, whilst Walkon will need to bounce back from a defeat last time out, with Solwhit and Blackstairmountain currently flying the flag for the Irish contingent.

No doubt the Arkle Odds will change throughout the national hunt season, so make sure you check out the current prices for your chosen horse and we will also be analysing the top horses previous races up to the Cheltenham Festival.

Arkle Challenge Trophy

The Arkle Challenge Trophy, formerly known as the Cotswold Chase, was renamed in honour of the great steeplechaser, Arkle, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times in the 1960’s. Arkle Champion Chase History.

It is a Grade 1 National Hunt Novice Chase for five-year-olds and above and is run over a distance of 2 miles and over 12 fences on the Old Course at Cheltenham Racecourse. It takes place on the first day of the famous Cheltenham Festival.

In terms of popularity at the Festival it ranks fourth, behind, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle and the Queen Mother Champion Chase but it remains one of the most populat with punters.

The race is particularly noted for its history of procucing winners who go on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase the following year. Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Voy Por Ustedes are just four of these. See Arkle Trophy past winners. The race seems to be one specifically targeted by specialist Cheltenham and Arkle Trophy trainers, who see the race as the biggest test for their novice jumpers.

Betting - Arkle Trophy Champion Chase 2012

As you may know, the Arkle Trophy Chase is a popular betting market and millions are backed each year on the race. The attraction lies in the fact that it usually goes to form so the favorites in the Arkle Champion Chase odds are always the ones to look at first. See our Arkle Trophy Champion Chase tips as well to check out the form of this years runners and some of the statistics associated with the race. We also have the distinct advantage of providing you with an Arkle Trophy Chase Free bet facility with a variety of bookmakers. The offers are excellent this year and there is an even bigger choice.

Arkle Chase Runners 2012

The 2012 Arkle Chase is sure to attract some classy hurdlers and none more so than the exciting Peddlers Cross.  The 2010 Neptune Investment Management Novice Hurdle winner nearly bagged a Cheltenham Festival double, but was narrowly edged out by Hurricane Fly in the 2011 Champion Hurdle.  Now sent over fences by Donald McCain, he is sure to be a lively contender and is the ante-post favourite in the 2012 Arkle Betting.

Al Ferof was a spectacular winner of the Supreme Novice's Hurdle last year and could make the transition to fences for Paul Nicholls, whilst Sprinter Sacre is another interesting jumping recruit and will be an interest novice to look out for.

Check out more possible 2012 Runners, who could be in with a shout of lifting the Arkle trophy on March 13