Arkle Chase: Star trio hold their ground

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 26 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Peddlers Cross features prominently in the Arkle.

"The two mile event, won last year by Captain Chris, is shaping up to be a high-quality renewal..."

A trio of exciting novices head a list of 27 entries for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham on March 13...

The two mile event, won last year by Captain Chris, is shaping up to be a high-quality renewal with the Nicky Henderson-trained Sprinter Sacre currently trading as favourite.

The six year-old has had just the two starts over fences, but has created an excellent impression in winning at both Doncaster and Kempton.

Peddlers Cross, somewhat disappointing when second to Sprinter Sacre at Kempton, remains a terrific prospect and one sure to be suited by the additional emphasis on stamina that Cheltenham represents.

Trainer Donald McCain has since highlighted a couple of niggling problems with the seven year-old, but he is confident that he will head to Cheltenham in peak condition.

Al Ferof put up the best display by a novice this season when third in the VC Chase at Ascot, achieving a Timeform rating of 161, and he is sure to have learnt plenty from his experience against the likes of Somersby and Finian's Rainbow.

Cue Card, Menorah and For Non Stop are three horses that, in a normal season, would be at the top of the novice tree but this looks a particularly good year.

Nevertheless, they are all still open to improvement and could surprise one or two come the Festival.

Irish challengers Bog Warrior and Blackstairmountain both stood their ground, and the latter mentioned looks set to run at Leopardstown on January 29, whilst Bog Warrior is also prominent in the RSA betting.