2025 Arkle Chase: A complete overview of the race
There’s a whole heap of buzz surrounding the upcoming 2025 Arkle Chase, with fans across the UK eagerly waiting to see which horse will come out on top. The premier event at the Cheltenham Festival has long been a great way to kick off the season, and this year promises another set of highlights.
You may be looking to see if your favourite horse will pull through to land the win, or you might be interested in the Arkle Chase odds for this year’s contest. Either way, we thought it’d be good to give you a complete overview of the upcoming race, so you’re ready for all the action and surprises of Cheltenham Festival’s first contest.
Race overview
The Arkle Chase, officially known as the Arkle Challenge Trophy, is the second event to take place at the Cheltenham Festival each year. The race showcases the finest novice chasers in National Hunt racing, and is open to horses aged five years and older.
Scheduled for Tuesday March 11 2025, the race will commence at 2 pm (GMT) on Cheltenham’s Old Course.
Named in honour of the legendary steeplechaser Arkle, the race covers approximately two miles and features 13 fences for the horses to clear. The race is known for its brisk pace, and it demands exceptional jumping ability and speed from its participants.
Last year’s 2024 edition saw Gaelic Warrior triumph – despite some concerns about his tendency to jump right-handed. With the 2025 renewal on the horizon, there are plenty of great contenders who could be trotting away with the win.
Entries and notable Contenders for 2025
As of now (early February 2025), 25 horses hold entries for the upcoming 2025 Arkle Chase, ahead of final declarations:
- Ballyburn
- Caldwell Potter
- Fascile Mode
- Firefox
- Gidleigh Park
- Jango Baie
- Jeannot Lapin
- Jordans
- Kalif Du Berlais
- L’Eau Du Sud
- Majborough
- San Salvador
- Springwell Bay
- Touch Me Not
- Only By Night
Among these potential runners, some notable contenders include:
- Majborough: A strong contender – and the favourite to win – is last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner, Majborough. Having impressed with a stellar round of jumping in a Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse in December, this horse is definitely one to watch come race day.
- L’Eau du Sud: After securing every win from four starts over fences in the Kingmaker Chase in December, L’Eau du Sud has solidified his position as a leading contender.
- Touch Me Not: The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old, Touch Me Not, showcased a commendable nine-length second to Majborough at the Dublin Racing Festival. As such, he’s viewed as a potential each-way prospect, especially if the leading contenders falter.
Trainers, jockeys, and horses are all in preparation for the Cheltenham Festival’s first event on March 11 – and so are fans and racing enthusiasts.
The 2025 Arkle Chase is set to produce an action-packed spectacle, with a blend of established performers and emerging talents all vying for glory. With our overview, you’re now race ready, whether you’re looking to partake in horse race betting or simply stay up-to-date with this season’s news.