It was another blow to Paul Nicholls as another former stablemate of his made a stellar successful chasing debut following Sinnatra on Wednesday, as Kabral Du Mathan was foot-perfect around Perth.
Also in the colours of Neil & Alfie Smith, Kabral Du Mathan joined Dan Skelton last season and landed the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle in the process. He came for strong support in the Stayers’ Hurdle and looked to be tanking after the last, but weakened markedly up the hill.
Losing a shoe may have contributed to that, but ultimately he appeared not to stay the trip and he looked a natural as he flew around Perth over two miles on chase debut, beating the 130-rated Hold The Serve by 19 lengths.
Bookmakers have shortened him to second favourite in places for the Arkle in March, but how highly can we rate his chances this far out?
Likely challengers
The ante-post betting for the Arkle is headed by Old Park Star, who looks every inch a chaser in the making for Nicky Henderson.
The son of Well Chosen was 0-3 in bumpers for Paul Nicholls, but switched to Nicky Henderson, he was a different calibre over hurdles last season, following up his 18 length Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle with a strong performance to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson has won the Supreme with Altior and Shishkin, who both followed up in the Arkle, and Old Park Star is evidently held in a similar capacity of those.
Sober Glory has reportedly schooled well in his preparation for chasing this season and is likely to begin his campaign at the minimum distance. A point-to-point winner, unbeaten in bumpers and second in a Supreme, he has all the assets required to be competitive in an Arkle if taking to this discipline under rules.
Narcisco Has was favourite for the Triumph Hurdle prior to being ruled out of the campaign with a minor injury and the murmurs are he’ll be sent novice chasing. His season ended with a comfortable success over Selma De Vary and Mange Tout, who’d finished first and second in the Aintree Grade 1 Juvenile contest. By a sire of top class two miles chasers and a relation of winning chasers, this discipline should suit him well if his health holds up.
Anzadam has largely been disappointing after an 11 length success on his second start for Willie Mullins in January 2025. He missed the remainder of that season, and failed to return to the winners enclosure last year albeit at the highest level of Grade 1 two mile events. He’s held in high regard at Closutton, and novice chasing could bring out the best in him.
When did the last five Arkle winners make their chasing debuts?
We must remember it is only October, we’ve not yet had Champions Day nor the Breeders’ Cup, so even just mentioning the Cheltenham Festival is somewhat premature.
Last season’s winner Kargese didn’t make her chasing debut until 7 December at Cork, where she was beaten at odds-on. Jango Baie made his in December 2024 over 2m4f, and certainly didn’t appear as the most likely Arkle contender. L’Eau Du Sud made his chasing debut just over two weeks later than stablemate Kabral Du Mathan, and could only manage fourth in the Arkle.
The 2024 winner Gaelic Warrior made his chase debut at the back end of November at Punchestown, stablemate El Fabiolo didn’t make his until December 21st, Edwardstone’s first chase start of his Arkle-winning season wasn’t until November 5th and 2021 winner Shishkin’s wasn’t until November 23rd.
From the Closutton camp, it’s unlikely we’ll see any of their Arkle team making their chasing debut until the end of next month at the very latest, and I’d suspect the large majority of horses headed for Cheltenham will barely have raised a gallop at home due to the recent weather.
I’d be very much on the side of the fence that Arkle shouts for Kabral Du Mathan are wholly premature, despite how impressive it visually was to the eye. Not only that, but he’s beaten far inferior opposition in a race he was essentially gifted from the off.
I suspect we’ll see him contest the Arkle Trial next month and pave a similar path to L’Eau Du Sud, albeit I wouldn’t be surprised to see him over slightly further given he does stay. Only then, until he has met a similar calibre of opposition in a race he won’t be gifted, can we look at his Arkle hope with a bit more credence.