Arkle Trophy betting: Tizzard still hopeful for JPR One

Joe Tizzard’s JPR One is 25/1 in Coral’s 2024 Arkle Trophy betting following his agonising last-fence stumble at Cheltenham on Friday.

The six-year-old was in the process of putting up a huge display in the Grade Two Arkle Trial, displaying tremendous scope at his obstacles as Brendan Powell took no prisoners on the front end.

However, disaster struck when three lengths clear at the last when, although getting over the obstacle successfully, he stumbled on landing, unseating his jockey with the race at his mercy.

Tizzard reports JPR One is 100 per cent fine following the incident and is now looking forward to seeing his charge make his mark as the season progresses.

“He’s fine, that’s the main thing, he trotted up beautifully,” said Coral ambassador Tizzard.

“He didn’t do anything wrong and he jumped so well for all of it, he didn’t even make a mistake at the last, he was just a bit unlucky.

“He was putting up a hell of a performance. I’ve been in the game long enough and I’ve been on the receiving end and I’ve been the beneficiary, but I think he would have been super impressive and I’ve got a super nice horse to go to war with.

“On official ratings, we need to find a bit and it wasn’t the strongest Grade Two in the world, but the way he was doing it, and the way he jumped, makes me seriously excited.

“We have always loved the horse and knew he would be a better chaser. He’s got low mileage and we have purposely delayed things with him and he’s got a very exciting future.”

Next up for JPR One could be further Pattern-race action in the Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on December 9, but the main day circled in Tizzard’s calendar is the opening day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival in March, where the gelding could seek Prestbury Park redemption in the Arkle.

“We’ll have a look at that (Sandown) and the only thing in the back of my mind is if you go and something happened there as well, you will regret it,” added Tizzard.

“But if he hadn’t had a little stumble after the last, he would have won well and I would be saying we would 100 per cent be going there. We’ll just take stock for a few days and he will definitely have an entry.

“Kempton at Christmas (Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, December 27) is certainly on the agenda, but I haven’t had an in-depth look. I was looking forward to Friday. In the two-mile division in England I respect them, but I wouldn’t be afraid to take them on.

“Eldorado Allen won the race on Friday and was second in an Arkle and I think that this lad has more pace than him, so we will work back from March.”

Winning start for Facile Vega

Elsewhere in the Arkle Trophy betting odds, Marine Nationale remains the 5/2 favourite but Facile Vega has been cut to 3/1 after making a winning debut over fences in what looked a red-hot Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Navan.

Willie Mullins’ six-year-old, the second foal of his great hurdler Quevega, is already a four-time Grade One winner due to his exploits in bumpers and over hurdles.

The champion trainer has been waxing lyrical about Facile Vega’s schooling at home and while he was ultimately sound over his fences, there was the odd novicey leap during his round.

That was understandable for a first run over bigger obstacles but Facile Vega had plenty left as he cleared away from the last to win by three and three-quarter lengths from Inthepocket.

Jockey Paul Townend said: “All of ours are coming on for a run. To win, doing that, I thought was good. When I did ask him, he stood off for me and that’s what you’d be expecting him to do.

“Throughout the race, he was actually very well behaved for him. I’d say he’s maturing and growing up because he had every opportunity to start acting the fool a bit but he didn’t and was more professional. When I wanted him, he was there. He’s matured physically and mentally.”

2024 Arkle Trophy betting odds

5/2 Marine Nationale

3/1 Facile Vega

8/1 Mister Policeman

12/1 Inthepocket

20/1 Hercule Du Seuil, Il Etait Temps, Lossiemouth, Matata, Sharjah, Zenta

25/1 JPR One, Zarak The Brace

33/1 Bar

View the latest horse racing odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication