Arkle clues on offer as Cape Gentleman bids to maintain unbeaten chase record

Saturday: 12.38 Punchestown
BetVictor Casino Novice Chase (Grade 2) | 2m1f | 4yo+ | TG4/RTV

Arkle pointers have often been found from this race, registered as the Craddockstown, and unbeaten chaser Cape Gentleman is prominent enough in that ante-post market, priced between 16-1 and 20-1.

Moscow Flyer and Sizing Europe struck here before going on to win the Arkle in March, while Kicking King, Realt Dubh, Baily Green, Sizing John and Ordinary World were also placed at the festival, having run in this earlier in the campaign.

Cape Gentleman was a ready winner in Grade 3 company at Cork 13 days ago for Emmet Mullins, who has handled him so well across all disciplines and trips throughout 2021.

It will be interesting to see if he can maintain a high level of performance on his third start in 32 days, but he seems a pretty robust sort and has the benefit of experience over this course and distance.

Gordon Elliott is responsible for what appear the two biggest dangers to the favourite. There's plenty to like about the credentials of Riviere D'Etel, who receives 18lb from Cape Gentleman as a four-year-old filly who has yet to win a Graded chase.

This is a major step up in class for Riviere D'Etel, while stablemate Buddy Rich has been even busier than Cape Gentleman.

Buddy Rich was no match for Cape Gentleman here a month ago and this will be his sixth run in 54 days, having opened his chasing account in an incident-packed finish at Navan last weekend.

Joseph O'Brien has been enjoying a terrific time of things with his jumpers and Embittered, who has the benefit of ten runs over fences, arrives here with a solid profile.

Rated 142, Embittered races off level weights with Cape Gentleman, who doesn't have an official mark yet but posted Racing Post Ratings of 152 and 156 on his last two runs. This will be a tougher test than the Grade 3 he won here last month.

Take All made a bright start to his chasing career at Wexford last month and is bound to learn from this experience, while Grange Walk and Choungaya need to improve on their latest showings to hit the target.

Elliott: weights pull will help Riviere D'Etel

Gordon Elliott registered his first win in this race last year with Felix Desjy and believes Riviere D'Etel's significant pull in the weights is a valuable asset.

A respectable seventh in last season's Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, she made a bright start to her chasing career when beating Jeremys Flame by 11 lengths at Fairyhouse five weeks ago.

Elliott said: "She was impressive last time and looks exciting. I think this race should suit her. The trip looks right and the allowance she gets will be a help. Hopefully, she looks to have a good chance."

On the consistent Buddy Rich, he added: "He's been putting together some very solid runs and deserved to get his head in front when winning at Navan last weekend. He came out of that race well and we just felt he was entitled to have a crack at a race like this."

What they say

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Cape Gentleman
Thankfully he seems to have taken very well to fences. Hopefully with another clear round he can be bang there again. I don't think conditions will be a problem for him, he's got form on different types of ground.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Embittered
He's been going well for us over fences this season and this course and distance seems to suit him well. It's a competitive race but we're hoping for a good run. I think the nicer the ground is, the better it will be for him.

John Ryan, trainer of Grange Walk
I'm quietly confident he'll run a big race if the ground turns up good to yielding. There's going to be lots of pace on and that will suit him. He's won two chases and was second in a Grade B handicap so deserves to be here. I think he's the fastest horse in the race.

Seamus Fahey, trainer of Take All
He was very good last time at Wexford and we're limited in terms of opportunities with him, so we're almost forced to run here. The timing of it fits in nicely, though. We think he's improved a nice bit from last time and hopefully he can run well. I think he's versatile in terms of ground.

Saturday's race previews:

12.00 Punchestown: all eyes on exciting Bob Olinger as Ballymore winner makes chase debut

12.30 Cheltenham: is Magistrato Paul Nicholls' next juvenile star? Graeme Rodway gives his view

1.40 Cheltenham: 'I don't have him in the Arkle picture' – just how good is Third Time Lucki?

2.15 Cheltenham: 'I couldn't be happier with him' – key trainer quotes for the Paddy Power

2.50 Cheltenham: is there a Mrs Milner lurking? Festival clues on offer again for Listed contest

3.25 Cheltenham: Murphy and Skelton hotpots all the rage but dangers lurk in tough handicap

3.40 Lingfield: how do Group 1 winners fare on the all-weather? Here's the definitive answer

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