The second race of the Festival, the Arkle is run over the demanding Cheltenham fences at a distance of two miles.  The ultimate test of speed and fluent jumping, it is almost always run at a frenetic pace and it almost always goes to one of the classiest horses in the race.

This means that shocks are a rare occurrence, but this year’s race looks wide open.  A tricky betting heat is led by 2008 Supreme Novices’ winner Captain Cee Bee  who was unlucky not to beat market rival Sizing Europe over the Christmas period.  Fascinating French import Long Run will also be looking to prove he is capable of landing the Grade 1, despite his tender age.