Racing fans are extremely lucky to be able to look forward to a great bunch of horses going down the novice chase route. With the festival now changing the two and a half mile Turners novice into a handicap the two Grade Ones will be run over two miles and one furlong (Arkle) and three miles (Brown Advisory) so one emphasizing on speed and potential Champion Chase contenders in years to come and the other race looking at Gold Cup contenders for the future.
The very well known thoroughbred Arkle was the last horse to win an Arkle and a Gold Cup which earned him the right to have a prestigious race named after him.
We will look at a few candidates that look to race over the festive period now.
Ballyburn
This 6yr old gelding of Willie Mullins had an impressive novice hurdle campaign winning three Grade Ones last season. He only has had the one run over fences which wasn’t the most fluent of displays not showing much nimbleness that’s needed to win a Arkle. He’s entered in a Grade 2 chase over two miles at Kempton and a Grade 1 over two miles three furlongs over the Christmas period which will be interesting to see how much he’s improved from his first run over the larger obstacles.
Majborough
This 4yr old French recruit is another from the Mullins stable. He’s only had four races, one being in France and three in Britain. He won the 2024 Triumph Hurdle looking like a potential three mile chaser for the future. The gelding had his debut over the larger obstacles two weeks ago which was an impressive display of jumping over a distance of two miles. Currently 4/1 for The Arkle and 10/1 for the Brown Advisory at leading gambling sites that accept credit cards, we will no doubt see this one at the Leopardstown festival in January.
Sir Gino
A 4yr old from the Nicky Hendersons stable, this gelding missed last year’s Cheltenham events due to the stable being out of sought but went on to win a Grade One event at the Grand National meeting at Aintree. He was due to make his campaign over fences sooner but instead went for the Fighting Fifth Grade One which was a very impressive display. Currently 5/1 for The Arkle before jumping a fence he is due to clash with Ballyburn on the 27th December in the Wayward Lad Novice Chase. If both turn up it will be a great marker with what route each goes down for the rest of the season.
We wish you a Great Christmas and however you play good luck and gamble responsibly.
