Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase

Jump to: Tips and Predictions | Betting Odds | Recent Winners

Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase: Tips and Predictions

Note: the predictions below refer to the 2021 running of this race – preview will be updated closer to the beginning of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.

A real shame that Energumene was ruled out last week, depriving the meeting of a real heavyweight showdown between himself and SHISHKIN.

Shishkin now surely has a clear path to give Nicky Henderson yet another Arkle triumph, a record-extending seventh in the novices’ championship. He overcame plenty of trouble in winning the Supreme here last March and has been faultless in three wins over fences this season.

Allmankind will attempt to make all, but Shishkin should pick him off. Captain Guinness could pick up some decent scraps.

Enda McElhinney‘s Selection: Shiskin

2021 Winner: Shiskin (Nico De Boinville) 4/9 Fav

Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase: Betting Odds

The Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase is the second race of the Cheltenham Festival and the first run over fences. This two-mile Grade 1 contest is a test of novice chasers’ ability to jump fences both fast and accurate. Mistakes in the Arkle are usually greatly punished.

The race is named after Arkle, a three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the mid-1960s, and in more recent times this contest has been won by stars like Moscow Flyer, Sizing Europe, Sprinter Sacre, Un De Sceaux and Altior.

The last-named won in 2017, giving trainer Nicky Henderson the current benchmark of six Arkle wins. Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty dominated the early part of this century and retired with four wins apiece in the race.

Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase: Recent Winners