Sporting Life Arkle: Runner-by-runner guide
Get the Timeform verdict for every Sporting Life Arkle contender on day one of the Cheltenham Festival in our runner-by-runner guide.
14:10 Cheltenham, Tuesday
1. Ballybreeze (Samuel Drinkwater/Robert Dunne)
Things were looking good when he made a successful start over fences in a beginner’s 2m handicap at Chepstow in October, but he’s hit hard at the deep end on his first outing since.
2. Dysart Dynamo (Willie Mullins/ Danny Mullins)
Enthusiastic leader who made an impressive start to his pursuit career by winning at Leopardstown over Christmas. Overtook too early as he is fourth by 10½ lengths behind El Fabiolo at Irish Arkle and it remains to be seen if he has anything left for the hill here.
3. El Fabiolo (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
Clever hurdle newcomer last term (second to Jonbon at Aintree Grade 1) and very impressive winner of both chases this time, especially when he was 10 lengths ahead of Banbridge in Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. Leading claims for the yard as they seek a fifth win since 2015.
4. Ha d’Or (Willie Mullins/ Sean O’Keeffe)
He had a successful start to his hunting career with Fairyhouse just before Christmas, but since then his limits at Graded level seem to have been revealed. His stable has some much more obvious competitors.
5. Hollow Games (Gordon Elliott/Davy Russell)
Matched his very useful hurdle form as he made a winning start over fences at Navan in November. Slightly disappointing when he takes a well held fourth out of five for Saint Roi in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas but he’s better than that. Had wind surgery before.
6. Jonbon (Nicky Henderson/ Aidan Coleman)
His only loss under the rules came when he faced Constitution Hill in last season’s Supreme. 3-3 over fences this semester and despite beating his only rival in Class 2 Kingmaker at Warwick last month he has picked up a decent handicap next time. Brave show probably.
7. Saint Roi (Willie Mullins/ Mark Walsh)
A very intelligent hurdler who has shown he is just as good over fences with a Tier 1 win at Leopardstown over Christmas. Seatless halfway in Arkle Ireland there is. This Leopardstown win’s form has taken a few hits, but he can do even better.
8. Straw Fan Jack (Sheila Lewis/ Sean Houlihan)
Built for the hunt and put his hurdle form behind when he won novices at Ffos Las (handicap) and via C&D in October. Lost his unbeaten record over fences in a handicap at Newbury in November but he still ran well and tried to add weight throughout. Refreshed since then, but plenty to find.
9. Effernock Fizz (Cian Collins/Sam Ewing)
Very useful mare. Won Welsh Champion Hurdle (handicap) at Ffos Las in October and second place in a C&D handicap chase two weeks later. Took a long overdue first pursuit win on a 3 runner prospect at Ludlow last month but that’s a different ball game altogether.
Analyst verdict from Timeform:
El Fabiolo and Jonbon (won) were separated by a neck in a Novice Class 1 hurdle at Aintree last spring. The former’s easy loss to Banbridge last month at Leopardstown is easily the best bit of the rookies’ six-foot chase this season, so this time he’s set to edge out Nicky Henderson’s attack. Saint Roi gets the vote for third place.