Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase
(Registered as The November)
Grade 2, Cheltenham 13:45
£75,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
1m 7f 199y, Class 1  
Saturday 16th November 2024

FormRatings

1 L'Eau du Sud 10/11
2 Western Zephyr 12/1
3 Lookaway 11/4
8 ran Distances: 11l, ¾l, 1¼l
Time: 3m 55.61s (slow by 3.61s)

L’Eau Du Sud showcased an outstanding performance at Cheltenham, effortlessly claiming victory. The dashing grey, trained by Dan Skelton, made a striking impression on his chasing debut at Stratford, winning by 10 lengths, and quickly stepped up to Grade Two honours.

Sent off as the 10-11 favourite, L’Eau Du Sud lived up to expectations from the start, displaying a flawless round of jumping under Harry Skelton. As they headed up the hill, the race was all but decided, with L’Eau Du Sud clearing the last fence with ease and finishing 11 lengths ahead of Western Zephyr and Lookaway. This win added to a successful couple of days for his owners, including Sir Alex Ferguson.

Dan Skelton shared his excitement, saying, “I always defend my horses but try not to overhype them. However, with a horse like him, you’re entitled to get excited. He has proven himself around the track and has the form in the book. While others may have achieved more over hurdles, they need to prove their suitability for chasing. We’ve got one tick in the box, and now we’ll head to Sandown for the Henry VIII, where he’ll try to prove he’s the best two-mile novice chaser in the UK.”

Skelton continued, “There are many good horses on both sides of the Irish Sea. Sometimes you don’t see their full potential until their third run, and sometimes the spring doesn’t go well. But we’ve got really good horses in this country. Competing against the best is always the goal. Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead are tough to beat, but so are the trainers here. This is the best team I’ve ever had, and we’ve always hoped to be in this position. There are others with sexier form, and if Ballyburn goes chasing, everyone will talk about him. We know it’s going to be tough, but why not dream?”

L’Eau Du Sud’s impressive performance has certainly set the stage for a thrilling season ahead!

QuinnBet

Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase
£75,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 199y, Class 2
8 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    L'Eau du Sud 6 11-4 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 10/11F
2 11 Western Zephyr 7 11-4 Charlie Longsdon Sean Bowen 12/1
3 ¾ Lookaway 7 11-4 Neil King Jack Quinlan 11/4
4 1¼ San Salvador 8 11-9 Joseph O'Brien Richard Deegan 25/1
5 7½ Breizh River 6 11-4 Paul Robson Ryan Mania 10/1
6 ½ Petit Tonnerre 6 11-4 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr 15/2
7 7 Noble Anthem 5 11-4 Adrian Paul Keatley Niall Houlihan 50/1
8 12 Ballymackie 6 11-4 2 L J Morgan Adam Wedge 100/1