2.10 1m. 7f. 199yds. 10 Declared. My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £175,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €98,472.00 2nd - €37,100.00 3rd - €18,568.00 4th - €9,275.00 5th - €4,655.00 6th - €2,328.00 7th - €1,155.00 8th - €595.00
Formscan - Seven of the last 10 renewals of this race have been won by the market leader, which bodes well for long-time ante-post fancy Gaelic Warrior, even though his trainer Willie Mullins has gone on record to say that Cheltenham isn't exactly the ideal venue for this high-class six-year-old. Nevertheless, it is possible dropping back in trip and the addition of a first-time hood will help the son of Maxios cope with going left-handed again, so he is a must for the shortlist, despite a lacklustre effort when unseating Paul Townend at the final fence in match-race with leading Brown Advisory fancy Fact To File in the Ladbroke at Leopardstown 37 days ago. However, as ever, Mullins, who has landed this race five times over the last decade, has a wealth of talent at his disposal and can strike again with IL ETAIT TEMPS, whose record over fences fits the profile of previous winners. The selection is very much on an upwards trajectory and can turnaround last December's Limerick form with Gaelic Warrior over shorter this trip. Found A Fifty was only a neck behind the selection when they clashed in the Irish Arkle last month and has to be feared on that basis. JPR One and Matata rate the pick of the home-trained contingent.