2014 Arkle Betting Odds, Tips and Preview

Cheltenham Festival

Most of the action for 2014 Arkle betting has been focused on Champagne Fever. The Willie Mullins-trained novice looks a strong title shot in this one. All the stars are pretty much aligned for what is arguably the strongest novice that Mullins is taking to the 2014 Cheltenham Festival with him. Champagne Fever has the credentials and knows the feeling of being in the winners’ circle at Cheltenham, having landed the Supreme Novices’ and the Champion Bumper title before.

At the end of the day, it is that experience of winning at Prestbury Park that should put him in good standing to pick up his third Cheltenham Festival win. Nine of the last 10 winners of the Arkle have either won or placed at the Cheltenham Festival before, so that stat works heavily in his favour. He was beaten last time out though, finishing third and fourteen and a half lengths back of Defy Logic at Leopardstown on Boxing Day last year.

But part of Champagne Fever’s shortening to the head of the Arkle betting market was defeat in January for Defy Logic and Felix Younger, as well as Rock On Ruby missing out on a scheduled run at Doncaster because of the ground. Mullins decided to keep Felix Younger out of the Arkle, moving him across to the JLT. Champagne Fever was due for a run out in February at the Grade 2 Flyingbolt Novice Chase by Mullins decided to just send him straight to the Arkle because of concerns about conditions. Campagne Fever had also been pencilled in to run at the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown, but passed on that Grade I race too.

None of that has stopped him shortening still further, in at 5/2 with Boylesports in 2014 Arkle Betting. Rock on Ruby (9/2) is heading to Cheltenham as well with a lack of races under his belt this season. He has had just the two trips, opening the season with a win at Plumpton, and there were concerns over putting him out in February at Doncaster. But they did and he landed an easy ten length win in literally a two horse race over Mr Mole. It was more of a training exercise than anything over the jumps. Rock On Ruby took second place at Cheltenham last year in the Champion Hurdle behind Hurricane Fly. He has a fine Cheltenham record for his owners.

Jockey Bryan Cooper rode Trifolium (5/1) to an impressive win at the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) back in January. It was massively impressive win, which saw firm favourite Defy Logic only manage a fifth after breaking a blood vessel, and Trifolium took a nine length win over second placed Felix Younger. The result saw the bookies absolutely slash odds on him after being as far out as 20/1 at one point. The impressively controlled and calculated race at Leopardstown puts him in with a great shot.

Paul Nicholls’ Dodging Bullets was impressive too in his second run over fences last year at the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase. He went out again in Newbury in February, finishing second behind Module, after not having anything left in the tank to challenge the winner.

2014 Arkle Trophy Betting Odds at Boylesports
Champagne Fever 5/2, Rock On Ruby 9/2, Trifolium 5/1, Dodging Bullets 5/1, Felix Younger 8/1, Valdez 8/1, Grandouet 12/1, Hinterland 12/1, Ted Veale 20/1, Bar 25/1

2014 Arkle Betting Tip: Like Trifolium’s chances of getting in the picture here and big value for an each way shot at worst. Champagne Fever is the one to beat though, but Trifolium could get close.

Online betting site Boylesports are focusing on AP McCoy for a great Cheltenham Festival 2014 betting promotion. If your selection in any race at the Festival finishes second to horse with AP McCoy in the saddle, then the bookmaker will refund your lost stake up to £100. New customers registering an account with Boylesports can get up to a free £50 bet as a welcome bonus.