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The Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase is run on the old course and is actually 21 yards short of two miles. A couple of key stats for the race are that six or seven-year-olds have won nine of the last ten renewals (the exception being last year’s winner, the 8-year-old Edwardstone) and nine of the last ten winners have finished first or second in all of their completed chase starts.
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BALLYBREEZE
Trained by local handler Samuel Drinkwater. Not seen since winning on chase debut last October in a novice handicap at Chepstow. Looks out of his depth here with three stone to find on official ratings.
DYSART DYNAMO
One of four Willie Mullins runners in the race. Went off joint-favourite in last year’s Champion Hurdle when falling three from home when travelling well. Taken well to chasing landing the odds when winning a four-runner novice chase at Leopardstown over Christmas with his usual exuberant style from the front. Similar tactics were employed in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival when only run out of it after the last finishing 10 1/2L fourth to stablemate El Fabiolo. Looks at the pace to the race here with Danny Mullins in the saddle.
EL FABIOLO
A smart novice hurdler who was only a neck behind Jonbon at Aintree last spring. Trained by Willie Mullins he’s made a great start to fencing winning at Fairyhouse by 19L and the Irish Arkle Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown last month by 10L from Banbridge (Dysart Dynamo back in third). Big chance here with Paul Townend taking over from Darryl Jacob.
HA D’OR
Another Willie Mullins-trained runner who has won one of his three starts over the bigger obstacles. Finished second last time out at Navan in a grade three leaves Rich Ricci’s gelding with a bit to find with the principals having a stone to find on official ratings.
HOLLOW GAMES
Gordon Elliott’s representative. Comfortable winner at Navan on fencing debut back in November but struggled when upped to this grade at Leopardstown over Christmas finishing 4th of 5 behind Saint Roi. Hopes rest on a recent wind operation improving him. Davy Russell rides.
JONBON
Trained at Seven Barrows by Nicky Henderson. A smart hurdler who chased home his stable companion Constitution Hill in the Supreme on this day last year prior to getting the better of El Fabiolo in a ding-ding finish at Aintree triumphing by a neck. Unbeaten in three starts over fences at Warwick by 7L, Sandown by 8L and Warwick again by 5 1/2L. Didn’t impress everyone with that latest success when he actually looked in trouble in a match when a 1/16 chance! Eventually got the job done and the horse who gave him that scare Calico has won a handicap since. A major player under Nico De Boinville.
SAINT ROI
Races in the same ownership as Jonbon in the green and gold silks of JP McManus. A grade one winner at Leopardstown over Christmas on his second start over fences but unseated his rider when a 10/1 chance at the fifth in the Irish Arkle that was won by El Fabiolo. Only has 9lb officially to find with the principals and has each-way claims.
STRAW FAN JACK
Trained in Wales by part-time beauty saloon owner Sheila Lewis. Has won two of his three starts over fences but in a much lower class and looks out of his depth here.
EFFERNOCK FIZZ
The most experienced of the nine runners having run ten times over fences. The only mare in the contest so can claim the 7lb sex allowance. Last seen winning a three-runner mares only novices chase at Ludlow last month and looks out of her depth here.
Summary
It’s hard to look beyond the front three here with Willie Mullin’s Dysart Dynamo certain to lead them along at a fair pace and if backing him you’re sure to get a decent run for your money although as at Leopardstown last time he’s likely to run out of puff on the final climb to the finish.
El Fabiolo has done nothing wrong in his two starts over fences and appeals as the most likely winner here having blitzed his field in the Irish Arkle last month. Jonbon is a big danger mind having won all three of his starts over the bigger obstacles. It should be a right royal battle between the Mullins and Henderson chasers with preference slightly for the former.
1 El Fabiolo @ 11/10 with Bet365
2 Jonbon @ 2/1 with William Hill
3 Dysart Dynamo @ 5/1 with Bet365
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All odds are correct at the time of writing.
