Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1)
The Arkle represents a gilt-edged opportunity for the Irish to (hopefully) get a second winner on the board. In Captain Cee Bee and Sizing Europe, we have the two form horses, and I would not be surprised if these two battled it out up the hill.

Of the English challenge, Riverside Theatre and Somersby look the two to concentrate on and it has all the hallmarks of a cracking race. Somersby has been the subject of sustained support of the past week, and comes into the race nice and fresh, as is the case with a lot of Henrietta Knight trained big-race runners. Third in last years Supreme behind Champion Hurdle contenders Go Native and Medermit, Somersby has been impressive in two wins over the larger obstacles, particularly when taking the Henry VIII at Sandown in December, beating Crack Away Jack in the process.

There are one or two reservations i hold about Somersby however, in that he seemed to be plugging on through beaten horses in the Supreme last year, and the third place may have slightly flattered him. The nagging doubt is that he may want a little further and could be tapped for toe at a crucial stage in the race. A glaring negative is also the fact that he hasnt run since December, and only won horse since 1966 has won the Arkle when not running in the same calender year. 9/2 is plenty short enough for me.

The same negative applies to Riverside Theatre, who also hasnt had a run since winning the Wayward Lad in December. He has been impressive over fences, scoring with plenty in hand from the likes of El Dancer, who is a decent yardstick.

The problem for me, is that unlike a couple of his rivals, he never got his head in front at the top level as a novice, and faces a couple of rivals who have been there and done it, particularly around Cheltenham...a place where Riverside Theatre has never even ran. At the prices, he is also overlooked.

Which brings us to the two big Irish contenders. Sizing Europe has also not run in the calender year, which negates his chances, but out of all the contenders with this negative hanging over his head, he is the most experienced, having had four runs over fences (winning a Grade 3, Grade 2, and Grade 1).

He won his Grade 1 over Christmas by five lengths from Osana, but this doesnt tell the whole story, as he appeared held by Captain Cee Bee at the last when that one knuckled on landing, leaving him the race at his mercy. He reportedly didnt jump with his usual zest so it can be taken he will be bang there at the business end in the Arkle.

My fancy is Captain Cee Bee, which is rather unoriginal, but i feel he represents the best chance of a winner. As the speediest horse in the field, it all depends if the last fence jumping mistakes have been ironed out...and if he gets the last right he might just blow these all away. The way he picked Sizing Europe up at Leopardstown was rather taking and I feel he'll have too many guns for the opposition. As a winner of the Supreme, he is the one Festival winner in the line up, which is a major positive.


Selection: Captain Cee Bee
Alternative: Sizing Europe (ew)...if he drifts to 8/1 or better