Cheltenham Festival 2025 Arkle Chase Update

The Arkle’s betting market took another twist with the Nicky Henderson trained Sir Gino suffering a setback that ruled him out of the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday. The 5yo has only had the one race over the larger obstacles on Boxing Day when he beat Ballyburn comfortably, the Donnelly owned gelding has a few options before the big one in March. 

There have been mixed signals with regards to the injury, which is being monitored day by day. There’s a few options for him with the 2m 4f Pendil Novice Chase at Kempton a week on Saturday as well as a Novice Chase at Bangor on the 26th February which could be a pre-festival options for him as well as his trainer raising the possibility of a schooling session at Newbury. 

Sir Gino missed last year’s Cheltenham Festival for which he was favourite for the Triumph Hurdle but he made amends for it when winning at the Grand National meeting impressively. One must say that Nicky Henderson is known for not taking any risks with his horses so there has to be a realistic possibility that we won’t see him this March also. 

The other Grade 2 Novice Chase on Saturday was the Unibet Kingmaker Novice Chase at Warwick, the Dan Skelton trained L’Eau du Sud was expected to have his final run before the Arkle. The 7yo gelding only won by a length from Rubaud but was always doing enough, he made a good jump three out but was pushed along when not fluent and lead reduced at the last. He is a Grade 1 winning chaser after winning the Henry VIII at Sandown at the beginning of December but was nowhere near as impressive this time and will have to improve considerably to trouble the two market leaders. 

The second in the race Rubaud is a listed and Grade 2 winning hurdler but having fallen when a beaten horse in the race won by Sir Gino and runner up Ballyburn he made a big improvement on his second run over the larger obstacles. His target isn’t the Arkle so more calmer waters are expected to get his first win for Paul Nicholls over fences. 

The Arkle is expected to have some non runners before the big day but the doubt of Sir Gino even showing up has made his main market principle Majborough shorten in price. The Willie Mullins 5yo will need to brush up on his jumping at the less forgiving Cheltenham fences but this gelding has an engine as well as course and distance form, albeit over hurdles. Expect some more twists and turns in the Arkle market before the 11th March. Race due off at 2pm Tuesday 11th March.  

Current Betting (Ante Post Rules Apply):
Non UK Casino: Sir Gino 4/5, Majborough 7/4, L’Eau du Sud 9/1, Mistergif 25/1 and its 33/1 bar.
US Gambling Sites For UK: Sir Gino 5/6, Majborough 7/4, L’Eau du Sud 9/1, Mistergif 25/1 and its 30/1 bar.
Betting Sites That Accept Credit Cards: Sir Gino 4/5, Majborough 7/4, L’Eau du Sud 10/1, Mistergif 25/1 and its 30/1 bar.

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