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 1930 Grade 1 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 TEME SALMON Fred Rees Rimell Mr G Williams 9/2
2 MARTENCITO W Stott Poole Mr H Lawrence 11/4 fav
3 GLADSMUIR D Williams Anthony Mr Bankier 8/1
4 MIS-HIT Mr D Thomas Lindsay Colonel M Lindsay 20/1
5 SLANEY J Walsh Harrison Sir M McAlpine 20/1
6 ALL OVER W Parvin R Thompson Lord Marchaamley 20/1
7 RATHNALLY T Cullinan F Hartigan Barob F de Yuyll 3/1
8 JACOB J Hamey Saxby Mr A Woodford 20/1
9 EASTWARD BOUND R McCarthy F Barrett Captain Guest 20/1
10 FLORIN II J Moloney Withington Mr V H Smith 20/1
11 OXCLOSE A Waudby Renton Mr R Renton 10/1
12 DELAVILLE G Wilson Beeby Mr J B Snow 20/1
13 FLEET O' GATE Major Cavanagh G Armstrong Major Clive Behrens 100/8
14 MISTLETOI W Payne W Payne Mrs Hollins 8/1
15 PRINCE CARLO Mr Farragher Whitaker Mrs R Boileau 20/1
16 TETRASANT G Hardy Rayson Mr D Feber 20/1
  Over round 153%

This race was staged on Thursday 13th March 1930 when Teme Salmon beat Martencito and Gladsmuir by 5 lengths and 4 lengths