Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

WHAT had been dubbed as a sizzling shootout between the best of Britain and Ireland’s finest turned out to be one-way traffic for the visiting star as El Fabiolo proved far too good for Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon to get Willie Mullins and Paul Townend up and running for the week.

Despite being less exuberant at some of his fences than his main rival, the awesome Irish Arkle hero showed a massive amount of natural ability to inflict a five-and-a-half-length beating of Jonbon, turning the tables from their clash over hurdles at last year’s Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree.

Mullins, who has now won five of the last nine runnings of the Arkle, views the 11/10-winning favourite as a Champion Chase contender for next season, having hit the line strongly here over the same course and distance as the day-two feature.

The record-breaking trainer could have saddled the one-three-four in the race but for a final-fence fall for Dysart Dynamo, with stablemate Saint Roi staying on to inherit third.

Mullins said of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned winner: “Like a lot of those French horses, he finds a fifth leg when making a mistake as they have done so much schooling early on in their careers.

“He travelled as well as we were hoping he would the whole way and Paul said he hit a flat spot down the back somewhere but then came alive under him. He was very happy until pecking at the last. I didn’t watch the finish as I was trying to watch Dysart Dynamo. Thankfully he is okay as he got back up and walked back to the stable yard.

“I’m not looking to step El Fabiolo up in trip yet. If a horse can operate over two miles they are easier to train, easier to keep sound, and just easier altogether. Hopefully he will be a Champion Chase horse down the road.”

On the up

Paul Townend believes the six-year-old by Spanish Moon would have little trouble stepping up in trip if connections opt to pursue that route.

Bookmakers initially responded to the performance by making El Fabiolo 3/1 favourite for next year’s Champion Chase and the 5/1 favourite for the 2024 Ryanair Chase.

“I think he’d have no problem getting further. He’s growing up physically and mentally, so there are a lot of options,” said Townend.

“He’s not the most natural of jumpers but at every fence he knows where his feet are and he gets away with it. He’s a strong horse too; he rubs his fences but gets away with it.

“He’s just improving on that all the time. It was a sign of a brave horse to go through the final gap he faced at the business end as well.”