Arkle Challenge Chase (Cotswold Chase)

 The Arkle Challenge Trophy is a Grade 1 race open to 5-year-olds and above and is run on the Old Course over 2 miles and 13 fences. The race, named in honour of the Gold Cup winner Arkle, is for novices and is traditionally run as the second race on the opening day of the Festival, but was first introduced into the Festival programme in 1969 as a replacement for the Cotswold Chase, a race which was first run at the Festival in 1923 and still exists today, but is no longer part of the Festival programme.
Early history:-The inaugural running of the Arkle Challenge Chase took place on Wednesday 19th March 1969 and was won by Chatham (10/1) trained by Fred Rimell and ridden by Terry Biddlecombe, beating Straight Fort (5/1) and King Dolphin (20/1) by 2 lengths and 8 lengths.

Over the entire history of the race 28% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 12th of the 28 current races.
Over the entire history of the race a level stake bet of £10 on every favourite would have resulted in a £270 loss, placing the race 26th of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 17% of occasions, placing the race 22nd of the 28 current races.
Cotswold Chase 1932 Grade 1 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 SOUTHAM Mr G Owen Rimell Mrs W J Gresson 10/1
2 CANTILLIUS II J Hamey Beeby Mr V H Smith 100/6
3 LONE EAGLE II Fred Rees Jack Anthony Mr J H Whitney 5/1
4 KYLECLARE J Lenehan McDonogh Ire Mr Martin McDonogh 4/1
5 SIR CRISPEN D Morgan Ivor Anthony Mr G H Bostwick 11/2
6 MONTCLAIR W Kidney Beeby Mr V H Smith 100/6
7 LYNTON D McCann Blair Mr Michael Stephens 100/6
8 KNOWLE G Goswell Ernest Piggott Mr H J Brueton 100/6
9 PORTSLADE G Hardy W Payne Mrs H M Hollins 6/4 fav
10 TARA COTTAGE G Wilson Hall Captain W R West 100/6
11 THRUMSTER J Hamilton Poole Mrs V G Harmsworth 10/1
  Over round 137%

This race was staged on Wednesday 2nd March 1932 when Southam beat Cantillius II and Lone Eagle II by 2 lengths and 3 lengths