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 1985 Grade 1 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 BOREEN PRINCE Niall Madden J McNare Ire Mr W Lanehan 15/2
2 BUCK HOUSE Tommy Carmody Mouse Morris Ire Mrs S Purcell 100/30 fav
3 VERY PROMISING Peter Scudamore David Nicholson Mrs J Maunders 5/1
4 ROADSTER Richard Dunwoody C Nash Mr C Nash 20/1
5 ST WILLIAM Peter Hobbs Ron Hodges Mr W Morecombe 20/1
6 FREIGHT FORWARDER Hywel Davies A Pitt Brittannic Shipping 40/1
7 KARENOMORE Alan Brown M H Easterby Lt-Col R Warden 11/2
8 TOWNLEY STONE Graham McCourt Webber Mrs L Townley 15/2
9 DESTINY BAY Steve Smith-Eccles Nicky Henderson Mr G Johnson 11/1
10 STRAY SHOT Richard Rowe Josh Gifford Mr Geoff Hubbard 50/1
11 BRIGHT MORNING J Akehurst Grissell Mr M Stonor 100/1
12 HANDY BILLY A Webber Webber Lady Earle 100/1
F EMLYN PRINCESS A Griffiths J D Thomas Mr T Evans 100/1
F THE FOODBROKER A Webb Peter Haynes Foodbrokers Ltd 33/1
F MR MOONRAKER Brendan Powell Les Kennard Mrs P Blackburn 20/1
F THE REJECT John Francome Fred Winter Mr T Ludlow 18/1
  Over round 118%

This race was staged on Tuesday 12th March 1985 when Boreen Prince beat Buck House and Very Promising by 2 lengths and 1 1/2 lengths