RACING anorak Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) analyses the field for Tuesday's second race from the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, the Arkle Chase.
Arkle Chase | Tuesday 10th March 2020, 14:10 | ITV1
The Arkle is always a great race and this season looks wide open compared to recent years. Nothing really stands out as a cut above or even a potential superstar, but I'm siding with one who has been aimed here all season and won't be far away at the business end.
Brewinupastorm was fourth in the Ballymore at the Festival last year and comes into this off the back of two chase wins. He's been well supported in recent weeks and is likely to run well, I just wonder if he may lack a yard of pace in what is likely to be a truly run race.
Notebook has been a revelation over fences and is now a dual Grade 1 winner. On chase form he is the one to beat, however he was only rated 133 over hurdles and I wonder if he may have already peaked where some of his rivals have a little more in the tank.
I'm opposing him with one of the horses he's beat this year, Fakir D'oudaries (9/2 Bet365). Fourth in the Supreme Novices' last year, Fakir loves fences and is in my opinion the slickest jumper in the race. He comes here fresher than Notebook and will love the Cheltenham hill. I've backed him each-way for this.
Best Bets
Arkle Chase – Fakir D'oudaries (9/2 each-way Bet365)
