Arcalis steps up to challenge Irish invasion

A home-side rookie is to be pitched in at the deep end on Boxing Day to challenge the Irish hegemony at the head of the Champion Hurdle market. The big-race favourite, Noel Meade-trained Harchibald, and his well-regarded compatriot Brave Inca, from Colm Murphy's yard, will meet in Sunday's Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and with a credible defence this side of the water dwindling, Howard Johnson has decided to test his novice Arcalis against the best.

The grey four-year-old has run just twice over obstacles, winning by nine lengths at Ayr 16 days ago and following up by 14 lengths at Newcastle on Saturday. "It's a step up in class, right enough," said Johnson yesterday, "but he's in great form and it would tell us just how good he is."

Arcalis has a 100 per cent record in the colours of his owner, Graham Wylie, who acquired the Lear Fan gelding out of Lynda Ramsden's yard in March as a prospective jumper, but picked up two decent Flat handicaps - latterly the John Smith's Cup at York in July - with him along the way.

There are precedents for a novice scaling the highest heights, nine in fact. Brown Jack, in 1928, Brown Tony (1930), Seneca (1941), Forestation (1942), Brains Trust (1945), Doorknocker (1956) and more recently Royal Gait (1992), Alderbrook (1995) and Make A Stand (1997) all won the Champion Hurdle in the same calendar campaign as their first jumping victory.

Computer-software magnate Wylie, the North-East's first billionaire and the winter game's biggest-spending newcomer, has yet to achieve a Grade One success, though Inglis Drever has produced a couple of near-misses, with second places in the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle (to Fundamentalist) in March and in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle (to Harchibald) last month.

Arcalis missed a gallop yesterday because of icy conditions at White Lea Farm in Co Durham, but Johnson was not concerned. "The horse doesn't need much work, so he should be OK," he said of the ex-Flat racer.

Harchibald, however, was able to strut his stuff in milder Co Meath, delighting Noel Meade in his faster paces. "It was pretty serious work," said Meade. "He moved well, did it very easily and pulled up well. I must say it looked very good."

The five-year-old has worked his way to the élite scene via handicaps; after a fifth in the County Hurdle as joint-favourite he was beaten by Hardy Eustace and Solerina before defeating Back In Front and then Inglis Drever. Meade is typically realistic about Sunday's task. "I think the horse he beat at Newcastle has a bit to find in terms of championship class, and Back In Front was giving him weight. The Champion jigsaw still needs to be put together."

Ten remain in Kempton's £100,000 Grade One two-miler at this stage, including a more familiar grey, Rooster Booster. The 10-year-old won the race two years ago before going on to his Champion Hurdle victory, and finished second last year before occupying the same place at Cheltenham, behind Hardy Eustace. This time round, Harchibald, Hardy Eustace, Accordion Etoile, Back In Front, Brave Inca and Solerina can all be backed as shorter prices than he for the title.

The final entry lists for Boxing Day's three Grade Ones - the others are the Feltham Novices' Chase and the day's centrepiece, the King George VI Chase - will be confirmed tomorrow. In the big one, several contenders hold multiple engagements over the festive period, with trainers holding fire until they can see the whites of the eyes in terms of weather - which could affect not only ground conditions but travel arrangements - and jockey availability. With a dry day at Sunbury-on-Thames yesterday, the going forecast is good, but a cold snap is also predicted.

Best Mate's preferred option is the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Tuesday, and Kicking King's the King George, for which he is favourite. But both horses are still in both races, the former being the only British-trained entry for the Irish contest, which he won last year. His potential rivals include tough and versatile Rule Supreme, last seen flashing home in third to Baracouda in a Grade One hurdle at Windsor on Saturday.

The Welsh National favourite, One Knight, winner of the Rehearsal Chase after more than a year on the sidelines, heads a field of 24 left in the Chepstow race, also on Tuesday.