Arkle Challenge Trophy Odds: Majborough tipped to give Mullins further success at Cheltenham
The second race (14:00) from day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday features another heavily-backed favourite from the camp of Willie Mullins, who has been the top trainer for the past six years. The Closutton magician has saddled the winner in the Arkle Challange Trophy in the past two years with El Fabiolo (2023) and Gaelic Warrior (2024).
Mullins will be chasing some more history at Prestbury Park as he aims to become the first trainer to win this race in three consecutive years. Below are the Arkle Challenge Trophy Odds for 2025.
Arkle Challenge Trophy Odds - Tuesday, March 11
Odds correct at the time of publishing
Majborough @ 4/7
One of Mullins' 10 favourites across the four-day spectacle, which is enhanced by the ownership of serial winner JP McManus, Majborough is being tipped for a huge race in the Arkle. The five-year-old won on his Cheltenham debut last year in the Triumph Hurdle, beating Kargese by one-and-a-half lengths.
He is a strong chaser and one that Mullins believes can evolve into a Gold Cup candidate in the future. Majborough is two from two over fences thus far at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown, winning by six-and-a-half and nine lengths respectively.
L'Eau du Sud @ 9/2
This entry from Dan Skelton is being marked as a potential party pooper for the Majborough fanatics. He is a much stronger jumper than the Mullins-trained gelding and should Majborough show any signs of weakness, L'Eau du Sud will capitalise.
The seven-year-old is four from four over fences this season and was second in the County Hurdle at the Festival last year.
Jango Baie @ 7/1
Nicky Henderson will be hoping to saddle his eighth winner in this race with Jango Baie. The six-year-old, who was the victor in the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in 2023, made a winning chase debut over an increased two-and-a-half miles at Cheltenham in December.
Jango Baie is effectively serving in this race as an understudy for Sir Gino, who was being backed for success here, and the former will need mistakes from the two runners previously mentioned for a real shot at the crown.
Only By Night @ 11/1
Gavin Cromwell-trained Only By Night looks to be an enticing each-way pick for the Arkle. The seven-year-old mare is yet to taste defeat over fences and will also have a 7lb allowance.
It'll be a tough ask to win given the quality of Majborough and L'Eau du Sud, but she can certainly make things interesting if they don't live up to the hype.
Touch Me Not @ 14/1
Touch Me Not is a Gordon Elliott entry for the Arkle and above anything, Elliott will be hoping to see improvements on the last time the six-year-old faced Majborough.
This came in the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival in February, losing to Mullins' star by nine lengths. Elliott will hope to bridge the gap on this occasion but can they do it?
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