2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy Tips - Two to keep on-side in an open Arkle

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Fri 01 Mar 2024 16:42

Jon Vine 01 Mar 2024

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Free guide to the 2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy
This Grade One takes place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 12th March
Il Etait Temps and Djelo feature in our verdict

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Danny Mullins riding Il Etait Temps (yellow/purple) clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown. (Getty)

The first Grade One to be staged on the chase course at Cheltenham is the Arkle Challenge Trophy. 2023 Supreme winner, Marine Nationale was odds-on for the Arkle after Christmas, but a lacklustre performance at Leopardstown in February blew the market wide open.

Here's our free guide to the 2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy. You'll find our best betting tips in the verdict section below.

2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy - Ante-Post Position

In the build-up to the Dublin Racing Festival, I tipped Il Etait Temps up for the Arkle, as I felt he was being underestimated for the Irish Arkle and Cheltenham. Willie Mullins' star had jumped well on his chasing debut and frightened Gaelic Warrior when second in the Faugheen Novice Chase over Christmas.

A deluge of support came for Danny Mullins' mount on the day of the Irish Arkle, where Il Etait Temps was held up alongside odds-on favourite Marine Nationale. Mullins' six-year-old left the market leader for dust as he made his move on the approach to the final flight and Il Etait Temps showed fantastic guts and determination to see off Found A Fifty and claim his second Grade One.

I still like Il Etait Temps for the Arkle and I'm glad I got my money down when I did. Willie's grey has been well beaten at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, but seems to have improved plenty for the switch to fences, so that previous form wouldn't worry me. What does concern me is the jockey booking situation.

Willie said in his stable tour that Danny Mullins will likely keep the ride on Il Etait Temps. I've got nothing at all against Danny, who's an excellent rider. However, since Paul Townend became the number one rider, he's ridden 14 of Willie's 16 Grade One winners. Rachael Blackmore rode Allaho to victory in his first Ryanair, when Townend partnered with defending champion Min, who was retired immediately afterwards. The following year, Sean O'Keeffe won the Albert Bartlett aboard The Nice Guy, beating Townend and Minella Cocooner into second.

When Willie has had multiple runners in a Grade One at Cheltenham, Paul Townend's mount has been first across the line 70% of the time - a percentage that would have risen to 75%, had Galopin Des Champs and Dysart Dynamo not fallen. If Townend doesn't ride Il Etait Temps, we might have a problem.

marine nationale cheltenham — Can Marine Nationale bounce back in the Arkle? (Getty)

2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy Tips

Barry Connell was quick to blame the ground at Leopardstown for Marine Nationale's poor effort in the Irish Arkle. On official going descriptions, the ground was softer when Michael O'Sullivan's mount won so well over Christmas and in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, so I'm not sure that excuse holds up.

Marine Nationale attempted to close in on the leaders between the final two flights at Leopardstown. However, O'Sullivan looked to have little left in the tank prior to the final jump and a terrible effort put paid to the favourite's chances. I'm a forgiving person and I certainly don't think we've seen the last of Marine Nationale, but I won't be backing him after that lacklustre display.

If Danny Mullins does partner Il Etait Temps again, then Paul Townend will ride either Gaelic Warrior, Facile Vega or Hunters Yarn. I wouldn't trust Gaelic Warrior going left-handed, especially after his shocking performance at the Dublin Racing Festival. Hunter Yarn beat handicappers on his most recent chasing start and has never won at higher than Listed level, while Mullins has said that Facile Vega might not even go to Cheltenham, as he's been working so poorly this season.

Found A Fifty jumps a bit right and probably wants two-and-a-half miles, but that hasn't stopped Gordon Elliott's seven-year-old from winning and placing second in Grade Ones at Leopardstown and I could see this consistent stayer running well. Former Triumph winner, Quilixios bounced back to something like his best form at Naas on his most recent start and we know how good Henry De Bromhead is at readying his stars for the Cheltenham Festival.

Of the British contingent, I'd favour Djelo over JPR One, Matata and Master Chewy. Venetia Williams' star was hampered and fell at the first flight at Lingfield, where JPR One got the better of Nigel Twiston-Davies' duo. That run aside, Djelo has beaten Master Chewy at Aintree, claimed an impressive victory in the Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot and followed the rampant Nickel Back home in the Scilly Isles at Sandown. His form looks solid.

Verdict

2024 Arkle Challenge Trophy

Until the jockey bookings are confirmed, I'm happy to stick with my ante-post Arkle selection, Il Etait Temps. Willie Mullins' grey jumps well and stays further than two miles, which is always a help at Cheltenham. He brings the best seasonal form to the table.

In what looks to be an open renewal, I'm also going to have an each-way punt on Djelo at 40/1. Venetia Williams' star has improved 20 pounds since going over fences. Djelo is in the Turners' Novices' Chase too, but the prospect of soft ground at Cheltenham could see Williams target the shorter race, before stepping up in distance at Aintree.

Il Etait Temps

2024 Arkle Best Bet

@9/2 - 15 Units

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Djelo E/W

2024 Arkle Value Bet

@40/1 - 5 Units

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