How the Racing Post Arkle was won: Keith Melrose assesses an eventful Grade 1

The Racing Post Arkle always demands a second look. Betting editor Keith Melrose takes a look back on the two-mile novice championship . . .

Preconceptions about the Racing Post Arkle had it that the 2020 running was only average in terms of its overall quality. The best hurdler in the field was Global Citizen, who got as high as 158 on RPRs when winning Haydock's Champion Hurdle Trial in 2019. He was sent off at 33-1 for the Arkle, following quite a marked late drift.

Few of the runners had recent form behind them. Favourite Notebook had won the Irish equivalent of the race in February, but Fakir D'Oudairies (December 26), Brewin'upastorm (November 14), Esprit Du Large (December 7) and even winner Put The Kettle On (November 17) were coming off significant absences.