The Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase is the opening chase contest of the ever-anticipated Cheltenham Festival. It rarely fails to attract a high-class calibre of thoroughbred. 

The inaugural contest came in 1956 initially known as the Milltown Novice Chase, but was rebranded as the ‘Arkle’ as a homage to the 1963 winner. 13 fences are to be jumped across the sharp two-mile Old Course, where these novices face their stiffest test of jumping yet. 

2026 Arkle Runners

The 2025 Supreme winner Kopek Des Bordes made an electric chase debut at Navan in November and immediately headed the Arkle market. He pulled his way into the lead under Paul Townend and warmed to the jumping task throughout. A minor issue pulled him out of contention for the Christmas period, and ground was supposedly to blame to him missing the Dublin Racing Festival. Only two horses – Well Chief in 2004 and Western Warhorse in 2014 – have been able to win the Arkle after just one run over fences, so Kopek Des Bordes will have to be seriously talented to succeed here. 

Lulamba is a perfect three from three over fences and his sole career defeat came here in the Triumph last season. He’s improved his jumping with each run, and is reminiscent of several of Nicky Henderson’s top class two-mile chasers. He can hit a flat spot and it does take him a while to kick into top gear. However, that was the case with Jango Baie last season and his engine can come to the fore late one. 

Last year’s County Hurdle winner Kargese brings a plethora of Grade 1 back-class over hurdles and was a neck away from recording one over fences when second to Romeo Coolio. She beat Lovely Hurling a length further than Kopek Des Bordes did, so she has to be considered. Steel Ally is also three from three over fences and on ratings isn’t all that far behind. His form requires another level of improvement, but he’s beaten everything that he can with ease thus far. 

Jax Junior was behind Steel Ally at Ascot but he’s two from two since having wind surgery, including taking an open handicap at Sandown in good style. He comfortably won the Pencil back in novice company, but the general consensus is he’ll be outclassed in this contest. 

Mambonumberfive was declared at the eleventh hour on Sunday morning and he was another behind Steel Ally this season. Ground was to blame there supposedly and he was three from three prior to that, but he’s likely to be playing for place money. Hansard has seven lengths to make up on Mambonumberfive on their Kempton form, and would be a shock winner rated just 137.

Arkle Challenge Trophy Racecard

Arkle Trends 

We run through the key trends for the 2026 Arkle Challenge Trophy to help guide you through this year’s field.

• No five-year-old has won since 2006 – a negative for Lulamba
• 14 of the last 15 winners have been aged six or seven – a negative for eight-year-olds Hansard & Steel Ally
• The last once-raced chaser to win was Western Warhorse in 2014 – a negative for Kopek Des Bordes
• Seven of the last ten favourites have won the race

Arkle Tips

Nicky Henderson has won this with Jango Baie, Shishkin and Altior since 2017 who’ve all gone on to be top class racehorses and Lulamba can follow suit. No five-year-old has won this since Voy Pro Ustedes in 2007 but he’s mature beyond his years. His engine is sure to kick in late. Kargese can follow the selection home as she arguably brings the best form over hurdles from these. Her 7lbs mares’ allowance will be huge positive. Kopek Des Bordes may well be the quickest of the trio, but his lack of a recent run is a concern. The suggestion is that he may blow up late if running keenly once more after his layoff.

FAQs

When and where will the Arkle Challenge Trophy be run?

The Arkle will take place at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday 10 March, 2026 at 2pm.

How can I watch the Arkle Challenge Trophy on Tuesday?

The Arkle will be shown live on ITV Racing at 2pm.

When were the Arkle tips published?

The tips for the Arkle were published at 10am on Monday 9 March.

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