Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

WHAT looked beforehand to be one of the highest quality editions of the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase for several years was turned into a 10-length procession for El Fabiolo, who winning rider Daryl Jacob hailed as “right up there with the best” horses he has ridden.

Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s unexposed novice is now firmly on track for a likely cracking clash with Jonbon in the Sporting Life Arkle at Cheltenham after a clearcut success over a staying-on Banbridge for Joseph O’Brien and fellow Closutton challengers Appreciate It and Dysart Dynamo.

A race that appeared to be run at a high tempo meant stamina was tested over two miles and a furlong, and the winning 9/2 shot, trained by Willie Mullins, did well to overcome a mistake four fences from home.

El Fabiolo is now deemed Jonbon’s biggest Arkle threat, priced between 6/4 and 9/4 as second favourite (from 5/1) behind the top-priced 11/8 market leader.

An elated Jacob said: “It’s fantastic. I’m delighted that Simon, Isaac and Anthony [Bromley, racing manager] are here. This is the first time I’ve ridden El Fabiolo on the track but I’ve ridden him an awful lot at home and have always held him in very high regard. I knew he’d improved plenty from last year.

“I was looking forward to seeing him over a fence, and when the opportunity came to ride him I couldn’t believe my luck. I’m obviously not getting any younger but I’m very privileged that I get to sit on wonderful horses like this. It’s a huge team effort and that was definitely one of the biggest thrills I’ve ever had.”

Professional performance

Jacob added: “I knew he’d stay because although he’s got a high cruising speed, there’s a lot of stamina there as well. I spoke to Paul [Townend] about him beforehand and he’s been brilliant to me. We all work together and work hard. I studied this horse’s runs and it looked like he was just a bit fresh on his first start over fences at Fairyhouse. Today he was very professional. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse.

“I’ve ridden some of the top two-milers during my career. This horse feels right up there with the best of them - and he’s a novice. I think he’s hugely exciting. I believe the more racing this horse gets, the more he will mature. Leopardstown have done a great job on the ground with the watering.”

Joseph O’Brien was encouraged by the effort of runner-up Banbridge, and a tilt at the Turners Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles at Cheltenham could now be on the cards.

“It looks as though he’ll go up in trip,” said O’Brien. “He ran very well, finished strongly and really looked as though he was crying out for a bit further.”