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 1982 Grade 1 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 THE BROCKSHEE Tommy Carberry Arthur Moore Ire Mr T Murray 12/1
2 CLASSIFIED Steve Smith-Eccles Nicky Henderson Mr G Rogers 12/1
3 BRAVE FELLOW P A Charlton Jimmy Fitzgerald T Kilroe & sons 50/1
4 PAY RELATED Jonjo O'Neill M H Easterby Mr M Hogan 10/1
5 GOLDEN VOW M Floyd R Hartop Mr R Dowsett 14/1
6 PROMINENT ARTIST J P Byrne J Maxwell Ire Mr M Soudavar 4/1 fav
7 RUN WITH PRIDE Niall Madden Mick O'Toole Ire Mr P Hamilford 8/1
8 SAILORS RETURN Peter Scudamore David Nicholson Mrs S Tainton 8/1
9 SEA IMAGE John Francome Fred Winter Mrs Olive Jackson 8/1
10 SPINNING SAINT Mr N Babbage Mrs M Babbage Mr B Babbage 8/1
11 FIFTY DOLLARS MORE Richard Linley Fred Winter Sheikh Khamsin 11/1
12 SLANEY M Williams I Wardle Guinea Grill Stakes ltd 50/1
13 BOOK OF KELLS Ron Barry J Blundell Mr R Beeson 50/1
PU CRUISE MISSILE B R Davies Nicky Henderson Mr M Thorne 20/1
PU PAY FREEZE Andy Turnell Bob Turnell Mr H Joel 33/1
F BALLYMILES S Treacy Bill Durkan Ire Mr A Durkan 50/1
F SULLIMNOS Hywel Davies C House Mr C House 50/1
PU WATER ROCK R Hoare John Thorne Mr John Thorne 50/1
F SKELUM J Newman Arthur Moore Ire Lady Clague 14/1
  Over round 131%

This race was staged on Tuesday 16th March 1982 when The Brockshee beat Classified and Brave Fellow by 2 lengths and 3/4 length