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.
Arkle Challenge Chase 1978 Grade 1 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 ALVERTON Graham Thorner M H Easterby Snailwell Stud co Ltd 5/2
2 SPACE PROJECT Ron Hyett R Brown Mr R Brown 9/1
3 ANOTHER DOLLY John Burke Fred Rimell Mr I Urquhart 14/1
4 FUNNY BABY Michael Dickinson G Fairbairn Lt-Col R Martin 12/1
5 GATHERING STORM Bob Champion Josh Gifford Mr D Bunn 16/1
6 LIMETREE BAY Mr Ted Walsh P Osborne Ire Mr T Gavigan 20/1
7 OUR BALOO J P Harty Steve Norton Mr P Hinchcliff 25/1
PU FORTY LINES Dr D Chesney D Chesney Dr D Chesney 33/1
PU SOME STORY Steve Knight Bob Turnell Mrs B Meehan 25/1
F TSURU R R Evans J Cobden Mrs B Cobden 25/1
F MAC'S CHARIOT Dessie Hughes Mick O'Toole Ire Mrs A Jordan 9/2
F STRAIGHT ROW Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper Ire Mrs D Anderson 7/4 fav
  Over round 133%

This race was staged on Wednesday 15th March 1978 when Alverton beat Space Project and Another Dolly by 2 1/2 lengths and 12 lengths