Cheltenham Festival 2024 Tips - 14/1 shot could advertise Arkle credentials at Leopardstown

Marine Nationale got my Cheltenham Festival off to the perfect start in 2023. I tipped and backed Barry Connell's star to win the Supreme at 5/1 and Marine Nationale duly obliged, sprinting clear after the last to win handsomely.

This year, Marine Nationale looks set to carry an odds-on price into the Arkle Challenge Trophy, after Michael O'Sullivan's mount won nicely on his chasing debut at Leopardstown. Facile Vega's no-show at the same meeting has certainly been factored into that price, but odds of 8/11 on the back of a solitary beginners' chase are quite absurd.

While I remain an admirer of Marine Nationale, there has to be some value in the market behind the market leader and I'm keen to back IL ETAIT TEMPS (14/1) for the Arkle before the two meet at the Dublin Racing Festival.

A superb Grade One win at Leopardstown in February helped Il Etait Temps end his second season over hurdles with a rating of 155, just three pounds short of Marine Nationale. Willie Mullins' grey does have nine lengths to find on Marine Nationale from their clash in the Supreme, but Danny Mullins' mount didn't jump well in the Festival opener last season and was posted wide during the crucial final mile of the contest.

On his chasing debut over 18 furlongs at Thurles, Il Etait Temps jumped well and strode five lengths clear of some decent rivals after the final flight. Mullins' star then finished second to Gaelic Warrior in the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick - a Grade One that was overshadowed by the clash between Patrick and Danny Mullins after the line.

Danny attempted to sneak through on Gaelic Warrior's inside on the run to the second-last flight. The favourite, as is his want, jumped right across Il Etait Temps' path, causing Danny's mount to stumble on landing and lose plenty of momentum. Had that altercation not happened, then El Etait Temps could have pushed Gaelic Warrior in the closing stages of that Grade One and I doubt the winning margin would have been as wide as it was.

Il Etait Temps relished decent ground at Leopardstown during the last Dublin Racing Festival, and I'm hopeful that he can serve it up to Marine Nationale in two week's time. If that were to happen, then Il Etait Temps would surely be cut into a single-figure price for the Arkle - a race that, on his form over both hurdles and fences, he should have a good chance of winning.