Sizing Europe and Captain Cee Bee look set to battle it out in The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham on the opening day of this year’s Festival.

The superstars were two of 47 horses entered for the two-mile showpiece and punters will no doubt be anticipating a thrilling race come March.

Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Europe is unbeaten over fences and was last seen capturing the Grade One Bord Na Mona Nature Novices' Chase at Leopardstown in December.  That was an impressive performance but the result would probably have looked a whole lot different had Captain Cee Bee not fallen when attacking the last fence.

He seemed the most likely winner, or at least antepost punters believe he did and he currently heads the betting for this year’s Arkle.

Bord Na Mona second Osana will also be in action and will be bidding to go one better than when he finished second to Katchit in the 2008 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

Willie Mullins has entered eight for the race, including stable stars Mikael D'Haguenet and Cousin Vinny, while Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has entered five led by Tataniano.

Follow this link to Ladbrokes and find out how to get a free bet on the 2010 Arkle Chase.

Arkle Chase -Ladbrokes
2m, Cheltenham Festival, March 2010
4 Captain Cee Bee, 6 Sizing Europe, 7 Tatatiano, 8 Somersby, 10 Long Run, 10 Riverside Theatre, 14 Osana, 16 Sports Line, 16 An Cathaoir Mor, 20 Zaarito, 33 Ashkazar, 33 Noble Alan, 33 Woolcombe Folly, others on request (1/4 odds 1,2,3)