Arkle Preview

It’s rare that the Arkle captures the public’s imagination to quite this degree. The 2012 renewal sees a potential wonder horse – and the public always loves a potential wonder horse. That’s right, the awesome Sprinter Sacre is coming to town, and he’s taking no prisoners.

Jockey Barry Geraghty claims he is “better than Moscow Flyer”. Well put it this way – Moscow Flyer tops my super-secret all-time ratings for 2m chasers, so this is praise indeed. Apparently, Sprinter Sacre possesses so much raw pace that he has to train on his own, in secret, lest the other horses in the yard become demoralised.

It’s usually value to go against the hype in racing, or in any punting for that matter. So let’s see if we can get the champ beat.

If you had asked a punter after last years’s Novice Hurdle who would have been the even money favourite for the Arkle, he would have named three horses before Sprinter Sacre. After all, he was comprehensively beaten by Al Ferof who now finds himself around 4-1 for the rematch. Having said that, his times have been impressive so, if you’re a “speed man”, it may be worth sticking with the fav.

It seems to me that it would be worth looking at two parallel lines of form from last year’s festival. Last year’s Supreme Novice throws up Sprinter Sacre, Al Ferof and Cue Card. Last year’s Champion Hurdle gives the clues for Peddlar’s Cross and Menorah.

Looking at things from the form angle, I wonder if Menorah might be the value. I recommend a big bet on Menorah each way. This way, we can take on the entire form line from last year’s novices. The doubts over the health of Peddlar’s Cross make Menorah the choice here.