Racing: Private Peace books ticket to Cheltenham

Private Peace earned a crack at the Royal SunAlliance (Novice) Chase at the Cheltenham Festival by winning the Baileys Arkle Challenge Cup at Leopardstown yesterday. Now the winner of four of his six races over fences this season, Private Peace responded bravely to Charlie Swan's urging to catch Mr Baxter Basics on the run-in to score by a head.

Aidan O'Brien, his trainer, said: "Private Peace travelled better today on the improved going, but he needed all of the two miles and a furlong and a good ride from Charlie to win. Two miles on goodish ground in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham would probably be too quick for him, so it will probably be the SunAlliance although we will put him in the Cathcart Cup as well to leave our options open."

Florida Pearl is the 5-2 favourite with Paddy Power for the Royal SunAlliance Chase, for which the Irish firm have given Private Peace a 16-1 quote.

Dardjini is back on course for Cheltenham and has been reinstated as favourite for the Arkle Trophy (Novice) Chase. The gelding was removed from William Hill's betting for the race after worries about filling in a fetlock joint forced him to miss an intended run at Leopardstown yesterday. But his trainer Noel Meade said: "We are hopeful now that he is not going to have to be finished for the season."

Arkle Trophy Chase: William Hill betting: 4-1 Dardjini, 9-2 Cyfor Malta, 6-1 Direct Route, Hill Society, 7-1 Wade Road, 8-1 Edelweis Du Moulin, 12-1 bar.