An early look at the favourites for the 2025 Arkle Chase

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The Cheltenham Festival is slowly approaching the horizon, and horse racing fans are eagerly anticipating four days of thrilling action at Prestbury Park.

Known as the pinnacle of the jump racing calendar, the Festival promises extraordinary moments, fierce competition, and unforgettable performances. The famous "Cheltenham roar" will echo across the course as the first race kicks off on the second week of March

While the Cheltenham Gold Cup often takes centre stage, there’s no shortage of other races to keep an eye on.

From novice hurdles to championship chases, the Festival offers something for every racing enthusiast. Among these, the Arkle Chase stands out as one of the most exciting contests, showcasing the best novice chasers over two miles.

As one of the key races on Champion Day, the opening day of the Festival, the Arkle Chase is a Grade 1 event that consistently delivers high drama and exceptional performances.

With 13 fences to be tackled at speed on Cheltenham’s Old Course, it tests both jumping ability and raw pace. Many past winners have gone on to achieve greatness in subsequent seasons, including legends like Sprinter Sacre and Altior.

This year’s race carries added intrigue as Willie Mullins and Paul Townend look to secure a hat-trick of victories in the Arkle after guiding El Fabiolo to glory in 2023 and Gaelic Warrior in 2024.

With so much at stake, anticipation is building for what promises to be a fascinating renewal that the Cheltenham tips will struggle with right up until the curtain raiser kicks off.

In this article, we take an early look at the ante-post market for the 2025 Arkle Chase and assess some of the leading contenders.

Sir Gino

Sir Gino has emerged as the bookmakers’ early favourite following an electrifying debut over fences. His performance in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas was nothing short of scintillating.

He demolished a strong field that included Ballyburn, showcasing his speed and precision jumping. Currently priced at 4/5 in ante-post markets, Sir Gino has set a high standard for his rivals to match. If he can replicate that form at Cheltenham, he could well justify his status as the leading contender.

Majborough

The Triumph Hurdle is always a great indicator as to who will perform as a future star at Cheltenham, and in the case of Majborough, there’s a new name generating plenty of buzz ahead of this year’s Arkle Chase.

A standout performer last season, he claimed victory in the Triumph with a commanding display. His transition to chasing has been seamless so far, highlighted by an impressive Beginners’ Chase win at Fairyhouse in December.

Known for his imposing physique and fluent jumping style, Majborough has already proven himself against top-class opposition. At this stage, he looks like a major threat to Sir Gino’s dominance.

Ile Atlantique

Mullins has high hopes for seven-year-old Ile Atlantique, who has been transformed by a switch to chasing.

After an eye-catching debut win at Navan last month, his odds have shortened dramatically from 20/1 to 8/1. Mullins has praised his natural jumping ability, describing him as "an efficient jumper" who gains ground at every fence.

With Townend likely to partner him again, Ile Atlantique could emerge as a serious contender if he continues to progress over fences.

L’Eau Du Sud

Dan Skelton’s L’Eau Du Sud turned heads with a polished performance in November’s Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

The former County Hurdle runner-up demonstrated his class by travelling strongly and jumping fluently throughout the race. However, questions remain about whether he can deliver under pressure when it matters most.

If he can replicate his trial form on Champion Day, L’Eau Du Sud could make a significant impact in this year’s Arkle.