Pulse Racing
Arkle Challenge Trophy

Detailed race analysis for the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.

RACE SUMMARY

The Arkle Challenge Trophy, first run in its current form in 1969, is one of Britain’s premier novice chases. A Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase, it is contested over two miles on Cheltenham’s Old Course, with 13 fences to negotiate. Open to novice chasers aged five and older, it is the leading minimum-distance championship for emerging two-mile chasers.

The race is named in honour of legendary three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Arkle, who dominated the sport in the 1960s.

WINNING PROFILE

AVERAGE AGE

6.4

157

AVERAGE OFFICIAL RATING

AVERAGE CHASE RUNS PRIOR

3.2

PATH TO CHELTENHAM

The following races have produced the most Arkle Challenge Trophy winners since 2016:

(5) Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Leopardstown, January / February)
(3) Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (Kempton, December)
(2) Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Sandown, December)

Number of horses that ran in these races and went on to win at Cheltenham that season in brackets.

TRAINER WINS

Note: King is 1 win from 1 runner, hence 100%

TRAINER S/R

WINS BY AGE

PULSE STOPPER

Trainers outside of Mullins & Henderson are 2/64 for the last eleven renewals. This would have returned a loss of £43.50 to £1 level stakes.

Seven favourites have won the Arkle (S/R 63.6%) and horses at 8/1 and over are 1/53 (1.9%)

Aged six and seven appears to be the sweetspot with horses aged 5 and those 8 and over are 1/25 (4%)

PULSE INSIGHT

Prior experience of Cheltenham is an important consideration for the Arkle. Only one winner in the last decade did so with no Cheltenham experience, El Fabiolo. Seven had ran at a prior festival and the other two had won chase races at Cheltenham.

Last time out winners were a strong trend though the last three are U22 in their final prep race.

Of the last eleven winners, eight were aged six years old (73%) though that is from a total of twenty-five entries (32% strike rate).

If you coupled the average official rating with the age and backed every six-year-old with a rating above 157, this would have been only four horses. Three of these won (75% strike rate) and the only one defeated was Kopek Des Bordes who many believe would have won without a stumble after landing at the last in 2026. This would still be a profit of £1.70 to a £1 level stake.

PULSE EDGE

PULSE SUMMARY

Mullins & Henderson Domination

Between the top two trainers they have collected nine from the past eleven Arkles (81.8%).

Mullins has a 31.6% strike rate though if you only consider his six-year-old entries he has a 60% strike rate. This would return a profit of £14 to a £1 level stakes.

Henderson has a 42.9% overall strike rate though has had only one six-year-old runner, Jango Baie, which won. His two other winners were seven-year-olds.

PULSE VERDICT

Pulse Rate

Mullins / Henderson Race Wins 9/11 | 81.8%

Pulse Stopper

Outside of Mullins/Henderson 2/64 | 3.1%

Price 8/1+ 1/53 | 1.9%

Pulse Insight

Prior Cheltenham Experience 9/10 | 90%

Pulse Edge

Six-year-old & OR 157+ 3/4 | 75%

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ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026

Pulse Racing Arkle Challenge Trophy

Detailed race analysis for the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase at the Cheltenham Festival * note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.