Irish Arkle Runners Guide: Majborough Headlines Six Entries

On Saturday at Leopardstown, a fascinating grade one two mile novice chase will take place with Willie Mullins unsurprisingly holding all the aces. Six will line up in the Irish Arkle and Billy Grimshaw provides a runners guide for us here...

1. Firefox - Gordon Elliott - 10/1

After last season's placed efforts in the big novice hurdle races over two miles, and always looking a chaser in the making, hopes were high for Firefox heading into his novice chase campaign that he would be a leading Arkle contender at the Cheltenham Festival. He began his chasing career in perfect fashion with an impressive victory, jumping with fluency in his maiden but the wheels have come off somewhat on recent runs.

That may be a tad harsh as on his second start he was only half a length off Croke Park over the intermediate trip - although it was still disappointing to lose as evens favourite. Next time out he was finally sent over two miles but faced off with two high class opponents in Inthepocket (who was sent off fav but disappointed) and the reopposing Ile Atlantique. The Mullins runner was never troubled by Firefox that day off the front and won the race easily by five lengths, never really seeing a rival.

Firefox now looks a bit of a tricky horse to place as he may not have the pace for top notch two milers, but probably won't stay three. It'd take a big shock for him to reverse form with Ile Atlantique, never mind to trouble the favourite.

2. Here Comes Georgie - Pat Neville - 50/1

Pat Nevilles' Here Comes Georgie comes here on the hunt for a hat trick of wins, but the rank outsider of the field looks to have a tough job on his hands in by far the highest class race he is yet to participate in. It would be a fantastic achievement were this lad to even come home in the four truth be told, barring accident for a few of the market principals, as although he battled on well to win at Ascot last time out one suspects he'd have been beaten by the favourite Iberico Lord who tipped up two out.

His jumping will need to improve to not be caught flat footed here as we can be certain they will go a decent clip with a front runner in Ile Atlantique who has a high cruising speed and has no stamina doubts whatsoever. Anything other than last place must be counted as a success for this honest but limited comopetitor.

3. Ile Atlantique - Willie Mullins - 3/1

Many names were chucked at Ile Atlantique in his novice hurdling season last year, with the horse being beaten on a number of occasions when trading odds-on and certainly looking like a bit of a thinker once he was in the lead in the closing stages, to put things mildly. Those in the know at Closutton always insisted he had bags of talent, however, and the hope was fences would jolt him into respecting the job at hand a bit more.

Thankfully for his fans who kept the faith, another summer on his back and the switch to the bigger obstacles seems to have done the trick for this lad as he has looked as genuine as could be so far in his burgeoning chasing career. His debut was very good indeed, with just one mistake and with enthusiasm shown when he was briefly challenged for the lead to get back out clear, but it was his win in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Naas last time out that really got tongues wagging. Firefox and Inthepocket, two smart animals, simply could not keep up with this relentless galloper and even the favourite in here and the mighty Sir Gino who is waiting at Cheltenham will know they've been in a race if they manage to pass this lad over fences. He rates the best bet at current prices of around 3/1.

4. Jeannot Lapin - Gearoid O'Loughlin - 25/1

There are often hyperbolic reports about the size and scope of certain horses both on the flat and over jumps, but sometimes the horses in a bunch at the start look like much of a muchness. That is certainly not the case for Jeannot Lapin, who absolutely towered over his rivals before waltzing to victory at 150/1 last time out to announce himself at the top table of national hunt racing.

His trainer Gearoid O'Loughlin is not a household name but this horse could propel him to fame as he certainly did not look a fluke winner that day despite his huge odds, and although the form is yet to be tested it would be foolish to completely dismiss him. The logical part of anyone's brain will attempt to persuade that this horse is destined to be a big staying chaser in time but he did not look slow at all at Leopardstown over two last time so back over the course and distance of his triumph, he could well be a slice of value as many are dismissing him due to either his size, his trainer's lack of profile or his SP when winning last time out.

5. Touch Me Not - Gordon Elliott - 8/1

Arguably the most useful form signpost in the race is Gordon Elliott's second runner Touch Me Not, who was beaten by just over two lengths last time out by potential Arkle each-way play on the other side of the Irish Sea L'eau De Sud. If he is to run well or even win, that'll be a mighty form boost for Dan Skelton's big novice chase hope of this season but focusing on this race, it's tough to see him being good enough to get past the probable front running Mullins duo.

He does at least have a win on the board this season, beating Farren Glory with ease at Leopardstown earlier in the campaign. That form has worked out okay but is nothing to write home about and in a match bet, I would probably side with stablemate Firefox to bounce back a touch and finish ahead of this lad.

6. Majborough - Willie Mullins - 4/7

The main market rival to Sir Gino in the Arkle antepost market at Cheltenham and certainly Ireland's big hope in the division (for now), Majborough is odds-on across the boards to scoop this pot en-route to Cheltenham, and for good reason. His chase debut definitely had the wow factor, with his jumping almost flawless - seriously impressive for a horse still four at the time - off the front end and quickly his odds were slashed for the big prize in March.

The 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner is clearly a top class prospect and with his size and scope, the assumption is he will evolve into a Gold Cup horse in time. However, he certainly doesn't lack the pace to compete at two miles against the best of Ireland and perhaps it will only be Sir Gino (who looks a freak) who will be able to burn past him. There is enough to avoid him as a betting proposition in here at the prohibitive odds of 4/7, particularly as Ile Atlantique is more experienced and will also take him on for the lead - something he's not yet had to deal with - but it would be no surprise were he to tough out the victory and march on to Prestbury Park.