Irish Arkle 2013

[Royal Tan]

Just 3 declared

HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
0 41/111 Arvika Ligeonniere32 8 11-12 W P Mullins — 146 158
0 4-1F12 Oscars Well32 8 11-12 Mrs John Harrington — 143 158
0 7-2124 Benefficient32 7 11-12 A J Martin — 126 154 140

[johnno]

Owner Graham Wylie sees the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown as an "interesting" option for the exciting Boston Bob.

The eight-year-old was the leading staying novice hurdler in Ireland last season, winning at Grade Two and Grade One level before signing off with a close second behind the ill-fated Brindisi Breeze in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

He only scraped home when long odds-on for his fencing debut at Navan last month, but Wylie is not ruling out coming back in trip for the Irish Arkle on January 27.

"It was very heavy ground at Navan. Ruby (Walsh) thought before the race he would win and then when he felt the ground going down to the start he was a bit worried," said Wylie.

"We were delighted that he did win and he did blow quite badly after the race. He is a bit stronger and a bit fitter now and we'll see where we go next with him.

"Willie (Mullins) has given him an entry in the Irish Arkle, which is interesting.

"He is a horse with plenty of speed and he jumps well, so we'll see. I'll leave it up to Willie to decide where to go with him."

Boston Bob is the 5-2 second favourite for the Irish Arkle with Paddy Power, with stable companion Arvika Ligeonniere heading the market at 1-2

[Statto]

The Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase is part of the supporting card of Leopardstown’s Irish Champion Hurdle day on Sunday 27th January. A grade 1 chase for novices, run over 2M 1F, it will draw many of Ireland’s main hopes for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March.

The runner-up in 2009, Forpadydeplasterer, went on to win the Arkle at Cheltenham while 2011 winner, Realt Dubh, was placed in the Arkle and the runner-up, Noble Prince, won the Jewson at Cheltenham.




Favourites (5-3-10) have won 5 of last 10, giving a level stakes profit of 1.81.


Summary:

Based on the trends from the past 10 years you are looking for a horse:
· Aged 7
· Won last time out (posting an RPR of 137+)
· Ran in the last 40 days
· Had last run at Naas, Punchestown or Leopardstown
· Previous course winner (or having first run here)
· Finished in the first 2 in the Racing Post Novice Chase
· Won a 2M chase at Punchestown
· Run in 1 to 5 chases this season (winning at least once)
· Trained by Willie Mullins or Jessica Harrington
· Priced 10/1 or shorter (favourite does well)

[Lester]

Benefficient seizes opportunity

Benefficient was a shock winner of a Grade One race for the second time in his career when taking a dramatic Frank Ward Solicitors' Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

A 50/1 chance when landing the Deloitte Novice Hurdle last winter, this time Tony Martin's charge made the most of a fall at the fourth fence of hot favourite Arvika Ligeonniere and had just headed Oscars Well when the latter made a hash of the last.

That left Benefficient, the 10/1 outsider of the three, to come home 20 lengths clear under Bryan Cooper.

"That's racing, we had the rub of the green today," said Martin. "We actually jumped the last a length in front of Oscars Well, so you can't say Benefficient was lucky with regards to him. I don't know, he might have won or he mightn't but I'm absolutely delighted."

Martin said: "He'll get an entry in the Arkle and Jewson (at Cheltenham). We'll pick what looks the lesser race and try and stay away from the likes of Simonsig. We'll set out to get place money, like today, and anything else is a bonus.

"He could wait for Liverpool as I'd much prefer a flat track and he disappointed at Cheltenham last year. I'd say the boys would be keen on going to Cheltenham again, though."