The Arkle Chase Tips

There’s a decent race in store here in the Arkle Chase and some people will strongly fancy Captain Cee Bee, the current favourite, as he should be on race day unless some mishap occurs. Just the usual “everything is going to plan” reports from yards of the leading fancies, in a market where the market has been stagnant for a good while now.

That may change on the day if J P McManus gets stuck into his Captain Cee Bee but, if he doesn’t, I can see the layers wanting to get him, so feel he is another current favourite that could start at a bigger price on the day than he is now.

The Arkle Chase Free Bets

• Claim a free £50 bet on the Arkle Chase with Paddy Power here
• Claim a free £25 bet on the Arkel Chase with Stan James here
• Claim a free £60 on the Arkle with William Hill here
• Claim a free £200 bet on the Arkle with Bet365 here

The current price of 7/2 would not interest me, especially when there can be doubts over his jumping ability; he fell 2 runs ago and was not very smart last time out.

If he gets his act together he will certainly have as good a chance as any of winning this contest. I know some people have decent priced ante-post bets on this one and would be quietly confident. If he jumps well he has a leading chance.

After his public school I thought it was interesting that Willie Mullins stated he felt Sports Line would improve a fair bit as he commented he had endured a small problem since his last run. He is also likely to let Shakervilz take his chance and has warned us not to underestimate him, highlighting his clean jumping but he has class issues to answer for me in a race that usually goes to a class act.

Edward O’Grady has issued an upbeat report on Osana, saying he will improve for his last run when third in his trial but I really just can’t see him winning.

The Arkle is sure to find out if a horse can jump and jump at speed, and that’s what is required here.

The one that stands out to me is Riverside Theatre who won his last 2 races in quite impressive style; he jumps very well and is put away until race day by Henderson, who knows what it takes to win this event.

When Riverside Theatre won at Kempton over 2 miles on good to soft ground by 12 lengths, easing down at the finish, he entered calculations for this race.

He may be even better on good racing ground on the day; some people may discount this horse to be a flat track performer, but I disagree, and this one could be the surprise package come race day.

Somersby is another who is an impressive jumper and warrants a second look in the betting market. He looked well when beating Crack Away Jack at Sandown last time out.

Sizing Europe has done nothing wrong and I feel him and Captain Cee Bee could beat each other on different days on different tracks.

So I have to come back to Riverside Theatre as a win / place bet at a nice price (currently 8/1) to surprise a few people.

Recommendation:

• Back Riverside Theatre @ 8/1 with Paddy Power