The Irish Arkle (Saturday 3 February), or the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle for sponsorship reasons, now forms part of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, alongside other top-class races like the Irish Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Hurdle. It is run over 2-Miles and 1-Furlong.
First run in 1956, the name was changed in memory of the 1963 winner Arkle, whilst the race’s other highest-profile winners include Flying Bolt, Klairon Davis, Un De Sceaux and Douvan.
Irish Arkle Trends
- 10 of the last 12 winners have been 7-year-olds, but the last two have been aged 6 and 9
- 4 of the last 7 favourites have won
- SPs of the last 10 winners have ranged from 1/14 to 10/1
- Willie Mullins has trained 3 of the last 9 winners
- Henry De Bromhead has trained 2 of the last 8 winners
2018 Irish Arke Main Contenders
Footpad
6-year-old who has captured the imagination this year, as his jumping of fences has been electric; so good that even his trainer Willie Mullins has said he’s never had a novice chaser who jumped so good so early in his career. However, whilst he could be destined for the very top over fences, it’s worth remembering that he finished behind Petit Mouchoir on all 3 occasions they met over hurdles, including in last season’s Champion Hurdle.
Petit Mouchoir
Bold front-runner who won both the Ryanair Hurdle and the Irish Champion Hurdle last season, beating Footpad in both races. He again beat Footpad by 3-lengths in the Champion Hurdle. Appeared a natural over fences on his chasing debut, but the runner-up has been beaten by 4-lengths further by Footpad since. Petit Mouchoir has also been absent since, but Henry De Bromhead has won this race twice before. He’s also a 7-year-old.
Any Second Now
Gallant runner-up three-times this season over fences, one of which was when 11-lengths behind Footpad. Only likely to collect the spoils if the two market-leaders fail to finish, and looks the ideal type for handicaps at the big spring festivals.
Demi Sang
Another Willie Mullins trained possible who has had just one run in Ireland since arriving from France. Won that race, despite making a mistake, and could easily have plenty of improvement to come, though probably need to improve quite a bit if he is to trouble Footpad and Petit Mouchoir.
Tombstone
Was a massive gamble for last season’s Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, but he flopped there and in his next two hurdle races. Sent over fences this season but, despite winning twice, he hasn’t suggested that he’s good enough over the larger obstacles to win this high-class renewal of the Irish Arkle.
Our Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase 2018 Preview & Tip
The likes of Tombstone, Demi Sang and Any Second Now shouldn’t be winning this on all known form, but could pick-up the pieces if Footpad and Petit Mouchoir take each on for the lead. However, though Petit Mouchoir always tries to lead, Footpad used to be held-up over hurdles. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Footpad takes a lead off Petit Mouchoir, and whether he’s superior to Petit Mouchoir over fences, having never beaten him over hurdles. If this was the first run of the season for both of them, Petit Mouchoir would probably have been favourite, so he may well be a value-bet at much bigger odds than Footpad.
2018 Irish Arkle Tip: Petit Mouchoir