Arkle Challenge Trophy

(Redirected from Arkle Novices' Chase)

The Arkle Challenge Trophy is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham, England, over a distance of about 2 miles (1 mile, 7 furlongs and 199 yards, or 3,199 metres), and during its running there are thirteen fences to be jumped. The race is for novice chasers, and takes place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Arkle Challenge Trophy
Grade 1 race
LocationCheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
Race typeSteeplechase
SponsorMy Pension Expert
WebsiteCheltenham
Race information
Distance1m 7f 199y (3,499 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
Weight11 st 7 lb
Allowances
7 lb for mares
Purse£175,000 (2024)
1st: £98,473
Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase
2024
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap White, emerald green chevrons, red cap Yellow, purple stars, purple cap, yellow star
Gaelic Warrior Found A Fifty Il Etait Temps
Previous years
2023
Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green cap, emerald green spots Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Emerald Green, Yellow hoops, Emerald Green cap, White star
El Fabiolo Jonbon Saint Roi
2022
Dark blue, light blue sleeves, dark blue spots, beige cap, dark blue spots Yellow, black stars and sleeves, dark blue cap, light blue star Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green cap, emerald green spots
Edwardstone Gabynako Blue Lord
2021
Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, black star Black, yellow triple diamond, diabolo on sleeves and diamond on cap Beige, royal blue triple diamond, diamonds on sleeves, striped cap
Shishkin Eldorado Allen Captain Guinness
2020-2011
2020
Orange and black (quartered), orange sleeves, black stars, orange cap, black star Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Light blue, red braces, white sleeves, red armlets, light blue and red quartered cap
Put The Kettle On Fakir D'Oudairies Rouge Vif
2019
Red, pink hoop and armlets Dark blue and red (halved), dark blue sleeves, white cap Maroon and white diamonds, white sleeves, white cap, maroon diamond
Duc Des Genievres Us And Them Articulum
2018
Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green cap, emerald green spots White, black cap Maroon, white star, armlets and star on cap
Footpad Brain Power Petit Mouchoir
2017
Black, dark green and grey striped sleeves Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap Maroon and white stripes, maroon cap, white hoop
Altior Cloudy Dream Ordinary World
2016
Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap Yellow, black triple diamond and armlets
Douvan Sizing John Fox Norton
2015
Light blue, orange star, light blue sleeves, orange stars, light blue cap, orange star Light blue, royal blue star, white and royal blue check sleeves and cap Red, white sleeves, blue and white striped cap
Un De Sceaux God's Own Josses Hill
2014
Light blue, pink chevrons, light blue sleeves, light blue cap, pink star Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap Maroon, white star, armlets and star on cap
Western Warhorse Champagne Fever Trifolium
2013
Dark blue and white diamonds, white sleeves, red cap EMERALD GREEN, ORANGE star, EMERALD GREEN sleeves, ORANGE stars, EMERALD GREEN cap, ORANGE star Black and white diamonds, emerald green sleeves and cap
Simonsig Baily Green His Excellency
2012
Red, royal blue chevrons, armlets and star on cap Royal blue, pink star on body and cap, royal blue sleeves, pink stars Dark blue, light blue hoop, checked sleeves and cap
Sprinter Sacre Cue Card Menorah
2011
Dark blue, light blue hoop, checked sleeves and cap White, black cap Royal blue, white cross belts, striped sleeves and cap
Captain Chris Finian's Rainbow Realt Dubh
2010-2001
2010
Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap Dark green, maroon stars, maroon cap Light blue, royal blue hoop, armlets and cap
Sizing Europe Somersby Osana
2009
Red and white stripes, hooped sleeves, striped cap Red and white (quartered), red sleeves Purple and white (halved), sleeves reversed, light blue cap
Forpadydeplasterer Kalahari King Planet of Sound
2008
Black and beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, beige cap Light Blue, Yellow sleeves, Light Blue stars, Yellow cap Yellow, Red star, Yellow sleeves, White armlets, Yellow cap, Red star
Tidal Bay Kruguyrova Noland
2007
Red, white sleeves, red spots, brown cap Black and light blue (quartered), black sleeves, white cap Yellow, maroon cap
My Way de Solzen Fair Along Jack The Giant
2006
Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Black, white seams, checked sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap
Voy Por Ustedes Monet's Garden Foreman
2005
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Dark blue, white diamond, white cap, dark blue spots Royal Blue, White stars, Red and White striped sleeves, White cap, Royal Blue stars
Contraband Ashley Brook River City
2004
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots PURPLE, white diamond and sleeves, purple cap Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap
Well Chief Kicking King Le Duc
2003
YELLOW, Red star, Yellow sleeves and White armlet, Yellow cap and Red star Light blue and maroon stripes, light blue sleeves, hooped cap Dark blue, red seams, white cap
Azertyuiop Impek Isio
2002
BLACK and WHITE CHEVRONS, white sleeves, striped cap White, white cap, royal blue star Orange, black epaulets, hooped sleeves and star on cap
Moscow Flyer Seebald Armaturk
2000-1991
2000
Red, yellow stripes, halved sleeves, yellow cap Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap Dark blue, light blue cross-belts, quartered cap
Tiutchev Cenkos Decoupage
1999
Red and white stipes, dark blue sleeves, white stars, dark blue cap, white stars Purple, yellow chevron, diabolo on sleeves, purple cap Orange and brown (quartered), green sleeves, orange and brown quartered cap
Flagship Uberalles Tresor De Mai Nipper Reed
1998
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Red and grey stripes, grey sleeves, red cap Turquoise, white striped sleeves
Champleve Hill Society Mandys Mantino
1997
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Grey and orange (quartered), orange sleeves, dark blue cap
Or Royal Squire Silk Celibate
1996
Pink and white diamonds, white sleeves, pink cap Royal blue, green diamonds, armlets and cap Orange, large Light Green spots, Light Green sleeves, Orange spots
Ventana Canyon Arctic Kinsman Super Coin
1995
MAROON and WHITE STRIPES, maroon cap, white hoop Royal blue, red sleeves, light blue cap Light blue and maroon stripes, light blue sleeves, hooped cap
Klairon Davis Sound Man Camitrov
1994
Light blue and maroon stripes, light blue sleeves, hooped cap Orange, black epaulets, black and orange striped sleeves, black cap, orange star Emerald green, white sleeves, emerald green and white check cap
Nakir Baydon Star Southolt
1993
Yellow and blue diamonds, white sleeves, yellow cap, white star Orange, black epaulets, black and orange striped sleeves, black cap, orange star Red, pale green cap
Travado Wonder Man Sybillin
1992
Blue and white hoops, white sleeves, black and white quartered cap White, black cap Royal blue, large white spots and armlets
Young Pokey Tinryland Space Fair
1991
Black, gold sleeves, red cap Yellow, red epaulets, hooped sleeves, red cap Red and white check, white sleeves, red cap, white spots
Remittance Man Uncle Ernie Redundant Pal
1990-1988
1990
Dark blue and white stripes, white sleeves, blue armlets, striped cap YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star Black and Yellow diamonds, checked sleeves, Yellow cap
Comandante Kiichi Young Snugfit
1989
Maroon, white sleeves, orange and white quartered cap Black, red sleeves, gold star on cap Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap
Waterloo Boy Southern Minstrel Sabin Du Loir
1988
Yellow, red epaulets, hooped sleeves, red cap Yellow, brown sleeves, yellow cap, red star Black, yellow cross=belts and armlets
Danish Flight Abbey Glen Barnbrook Again
 

It is the leading minimum-distance chase for novices in the National Hunt calendar. It is the second race on the opening day of the festival.

History

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The Arkle Challenge Trophy was introduced as a replacement for the Cotswold Chase, a previous event at the Cheltenham Festival, in 1969. Its title pays tribute to Arkle, a three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the mid-1960s.[1] The race was formerly scheduled to be run on the second day of the Festival, but it was switched to its slot on the opening day in 1980.

The first sponsor of the "Arkle" was Waterford Castle, which began supporting the event in 1991. It was backed by Guinness from 1994 to 1999, and from 2000 to 2011 it was sponsored by the Irish Independent newspaper. The Racing Post newspaper sponsored the race from 2012 to 2020. From 2021 to 2023 the race was sponsored by Sporting Life.[2]

Several winners of the race have subsequently achieved victory in the most prestigious two-mile chase in the National Hunt calendar, the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The most recent was Put The Kettle On, the winner of the latter event in 2021. The 1978 winner, Alverton, went on to win the following season's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

In 2020, Put the Kettle On become the first Mare to win the race since Anaglogs Daughter in 1980.

Records

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Leading jockey since 1946 (4 wins):

  • Barry GeraghtyMoscow Flyer (2002), Forpadydeplasterer (2009), Sprinter Sacre (2012), Simonsig (2013)
  • Ruby WalshAzertyuiop (2003), Un de Sceaux (2015), Douvan (2016), Footpad (2018)

Leading trainer since 1946 (7 wins):

  • Nicky HendersonRemittance Man (1991), Travado (1993), Tiutchev (2000), Sprinter Sacre (2012), Simonsig (2013), Altior (2017), Shishkin (2021)

Winners since 1946

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer
1946 Bright Penny 6 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris
1947 no race 1947 [a]
1948 Top Cash 6 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris
1949 Grand Refrain 5 Glen Kelly Bobby Norris
1950 High Level 5 Johnny Bullock Fred Rimell
1951 Red Steel 5 Dick Francis Frank Cundell
1952 Nautical Print 5 Tommy Cusack Gerry Wilson
1953 Bramble Tudor 5 Tim Molony Stewart Wight
1954 Armorial III 5 René Emery Fulke Walwyn
1955 Manuscrit 5 Johnny Bullock Fulke Walwyn
1956 Sir Ken 9 Tim Molony Willie Stephenson
1957 Ballyatom 5 Bob McCreery[b] George Beeby
1958 Fortria 6 Tom Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1959 Flame Gun 8 Fred Winter Charlie Mallon
1960 Mazurka 6 Ron Harrison Ron Smyth
1961 Mountcashel King 6 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1962 Prudent Barney 8 Johnny East Bobby Renton
1963 Ben Stack 6 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1964 Greektown 8 Michael Scudamore Willie Stephenson
1965 Flyingbolt 6 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1966 Arctic Sunset 6 George Milburn Ken Oliver
1967 Arctic Stream 7 Ben Hannon Pat Rooney
1968 The Hustler 6 Barry Brogan Earl Jones
1969 Chatham 5 Terry Biddlecombe Fred Rimell
1970 Soloning 5 Paul Kelleway Fred Winter
1971 Alpheus 6 Eddie Wright Tom Dreaper
1972 Pendil 7 Richard Pitman Fred Winter
1973 Denys Adventure 8 Graham Thorner Tim Forster
1974 Canasta Lad 8 Jeff King Peter Bailey
1975 Broncho II 6 Colin Tinkler Tony Dickinson
1976 Roaring Wind 8 Reg Crank Roy Cambidge
1977 Tip the Wink 7 Dessie Hughes Pat Taylor
1978 Alverton 8 Graham Thorner Peter Easterby
1979 Chinrullah 7 Dessie Hughes Mick O'Toole
1980 Anaglogs Daughter 7 Tommy Carberry Bill Durkan
1981 Clayside 7 Alan Brown Peter Easterby
1982 The Brockshee 7 Tommy Carberry Arthur Moore
1983 Ryeman 6 Alan Brown Peter Easterby
1984 Bobsline 8 Frank Berry Francis Flood
1985 Boreen Prince 8 Niall Madden Andrew McNamara
1986 Oregon Trail 6 Ronnie Beggan Simon Christian
1987 Gala's Image 7 Richard Linley Mercy Rimell
1988 Danish Flight 9 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald
1989 Waterloo Boy 6 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson
1990 Comandante 8 Peter Hobbs Josh Gifford
1991 Remittance Man 7 Richard Dunwoody Nicky Henderson
1992 Young Pokey 7 Jamie Osborne Oliver Sherwood
1993 Travado 7 Jamie Osborne Nicky Henderson
1994 Nakir 6 Jamie Osborne Simon Christian
1995 Klairon Davis 6 Francis Woods Arthur Moore
1996 Ventana Canyon 7 Richard Dunwoody Edward O'Grady
1997 Or Royal 6 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe
1998 Champleve 5 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe
1999 Flagship Uberalles 5 Joe Tizzard Paul Nicholls
2000 Tiutchev 7 Mick Fitzgerald Nicky Henderson
2001 no race 2001 [c]
2002 Moscow Flyer 8 Barry Geraghty Jessica Harrington
2003 Azertyuiop 6 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls
2004 Well Chief 5 Tony McCoy Martin Pipe
2005 Contraband 7 Timmy Murphy Martin Pipe
2006 Voy Por Ustedes 5 Robert Thornton Alan King
2007 My Way de Solzen 7 Robert Thornton Alan King
2008 Tidal Bay 7 Denis O'Regan Howard Johnson
2009 Forpadydeplasterer 7 Barry Geraghty Tom Cooper
2010 Sizing Europe 8 Andrew Lynch Henry de Bromhead
2011 Captain Chris 7 Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs
2012 Sprinter Sacre 6 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson
2013 Simonsig 7 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson
2014 Western Warhorse 6 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
2015 Un de Sceaux 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2016 Douvan 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2017 Altior 7 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson
2018 Footpad 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
2019 Duc des Genievres 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2020 Put The Kettle On 6 Aidan Coleman Henry de Bromhead
2021 Shishkin 7 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson
2022 Edwardstone 8 Tom Cannon Alan King
2023 El Fabiolo 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2024 Gaelic Warrior 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
  1. ^ The 1947 edition was abandoned due to snow and frost
  2. ^ amateur jockey
  3. ^ The 2001 running was cancelled because of a foot-and-mouth crisis.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Arkle Profile".
  2. ^ "Sporting Life sponsors the Arkle".

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  • Race Recordings [1]