Arkle Chase Jockeys
As well as having the best horse in the race, trainers will fight it out tooth-and-nail to try and get the best jockeys to pilot their challengers in the Arkle Chase as they look to bag 2m novice chasing glory.
Down the years some of the greatest national hunt jockeys have lifted the crown at the Cheltenham Festival with the quintet of Glen Kelly, Pat Taaffe, Richard Dunwoody, Jamie Osborne and AP McCoy all heading the winners' table with three victories in the race.
In recent times, Robert Thornton won back-to-back Arkle titles in 2006 and 2007 as he partnered Alan King's duo of Voy Por Ustedes and My Way De Solzen to victory, whilst Richard Johnson produced a masterful ride aboard Captain Chris in the 2011 renewal and is another to watch out for.
Ruby Walsh is definitely a name synonymous with the Cheltenham Festival in recent years, but the Irish star has only bagged the Arkle crown once in his illustrious career, and that was back in 2003 where he teamed up with Paul Nicholls' Azertyuiop.
Barry Geraghty teamed up with Jessica Harrington to win the 2002 Arkle with the mighty Moscow Flyer, who became a phenomenon and he then bagged his second success in the race in 2009 when he rode Forpadydeplasterer to victory to show he also has great credentials in the contest.
Jason Maguire has never won the race before, but he is all set to have a magnificent chance in this year's contest as he is expected to ride Donald McCain's Peddlers Cross, who is current favourite in the Arkle 2012 Betting.
Jockeys to Follow for 2012 Arkle:
Jason Maguire: Stable jockey to Donald McCain should see him partner ante-post favourite Peddlers Cross as he looks to secure his first ever Arkle Trophy victory.
Ruby Walsh: Having partnered Azertyuiop to victory in the 2003 contest, Walsh has tasted success in this contest before and the recent Cheltenham Festival specialist should partner last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Al Ferof.
Robert Thornton: 'Choc' bagged back-to-back glory in 2006 and 2007 for trainer Alan King and he could well be on another contender who has an outside chance in Walkon, who was very impressive on his chasing debut.
Richard Johnson: A jockey who will be high in confidence going into this contest as he partnered Captain Chris to glory in 2011 and Richard Johnson has a great chance with Menorah, who is incidentally owned by the same connections as last year's winner.
Joe Tizzard: After piloting Cue Card to success in the 2010 Champion Bumper, Joe Tizzard would've felt another Cheltenham Festival success would be in his mount's capability and Cue Card is another lively player.
