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 1939 Grade 1 2 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 CASTLETOWN D Morgan Ivor Anthony Mr F Clark 11/8 fav
2 AGLEAM T F Carey Beeby Mrs Gemmell 6/1
3 YAT-SEN E Morgan Reg Hobbs Mr Bailes 10/1
4 CATHAL O'DWYER D L Jones D Williams Mr Ambrose Clark 20/1
5 CAMPASPE G Owen Allison Mr Allison 6/1
6 CARTOONIST W Walwyn Paterson Mrs Paterson 100/8
7 WIELDY G Turner Freake Mr Gillson 20/1
8 SHADWICK PLACE T McNeill Hardinge Mr Hardinge 20/1
9 THE PRIEST J Bissill Bletsoe Mrs Aikin 100/7
10 WOODPIGEON H Nicholson C Lamglands Mr Brandt 8/1
11 TUBBERMOOR T Farmer Champneys Mr Gee 20/1
12 MEMPHIS D Quirke P Beary Mr Jerram 20/1
13 BATH WOOD P Lay Dutton Mr Paterson 20/1
14 SAINT FLORENT G Kelly C Kelly Mr Stokes 20/1
  Over round 140%

This race was staged on Wednesday 8th March 1939 when Castletown beat Agleam and Yat-Sen by 5 lengths and 5 lengths