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Arkle Novices’ Chase Odds: Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes Shorten After Impressive Chase Debuts

Andy Newton Written by Sports EditorAndy Newton
Updated –
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Arkle Novices' Chase Betting Odds 2026 

The 2026 Arkle Chase betting odds market had plenty of activity on Monday with two of the big players Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba both impressing on their chasing debuts. 

Kopek Des Bordes finally made his eagerly-awaited fencing debut at Navan, after their Saturday card had been a cancelled horse racing meeting at the weekend.

While the Nicky Henderson-trained Lulamba bolted up with a flawless round of jumping at Exeter (watch below).

As a result, the pair have both shortened in the Arkle Novices’ Chase betting odds market.

Arkle Novices’ Chase Betting Odds 2026 

  • Kopek Des Bordes 7/4
  • Lulamba 7/2
  • Romeo Coolio 10/1
  • Salvator Mundi 14/1
  • Kargese 16/1
  • Gameofinches 16/1
  • July Flower 16/1
  • Kawaboomga 20/1
  • Brighterdaysahead 20/1
  • Lump Sum 33/1
  • 40/1 BAR

Note: Odds Are Subject To Change 

Arkle Novices' Chase Betting Odds 2026
Arkle Novices’ Chase Hopefuls Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba Impress On Chase Debuts

Kopek Des Bordes Impresses On Chase Debut at Navan 

Last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes lived up to his billing as being one of the big novice chasers to follow this season.

The Willie Mullins-trained five year-old wasn’t always the best jumper of a hurdle, but having schooled well over fences made a winning chase start at Navan on Monday.

Ridden by Paul Townend, Kopek Des Bordes was a bit keen over the first two or three fences, with some sketchy jumps.

But once given his head, and allowed to race on, warmed to his task – jumped much better and won by 13 lengths and with any amount in hand.

With the success adding to Facile Vega and Footpad’s wins in this Beginners Chase at Navan for Willie Mullins.

The best horse racing betting sites reacted by firming up the Kopek Des Bordes Arkle betting odds to 7/4  from 5/2 – still making him the favourite to beat at Cheltenham.

Kopek Des Bordes will be looking to give Willie Mullins a seventh Arkle win, with his most recent Gaelic Warrior in 2024 and his first Un de Sceaux in 2015.

Plus will also be hoping to become the first Supreme winner to follow-up the Arkle since Shishkin in 2020/2021.

Lulamba Live Up To Hype With Facile First Time Win Over Fences 

Trainer Nicky Henderson had made it no secret that Lulamba had been schooling well ahead of his chase debut at Exeter on Monday.

However, it’s one thing jumping well at home and another translating that to the track.

Therefore, all eyes were on last season’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up, who had won three of his four starts over hurdles.

But a season over fences was always the plan for this four year-old and being owned by the Donnellys, who also had Shishkin, there are already comparisons being made.

There’s still a long way to go to reach the heights of five-time Grade One chaser, but after an impressive first showing over the bigger obstacles Lulamba’s journey has started.

Shishkin, of course, also won the Arkle Novices’ Chase in his career (2021) and the bookies are taking no chances of Lulamba following suit.

Cutting his Arkle Novices’ Chase betting odds from 6/1 to 7/2.

Lulamba will also be looking to give trainer Nicky Henderson a record extending ninth Arkle win in the ITV Racing contest on Tuesday March 10th 2026.

With his most recent Jango Baie last season (2025) and his first Remittance Man in 1991.

When Is The 2026 Arkle Novices’ Chase ??

📅Date: Tuesday 10th March 2026
⌚Time: 2:00pm
🏇Racecourse: Cheltenham
🔄Trip: 2m
💷Winning Purse:£112,540
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV

Who Won The Arkle Novices’ Chase Last Season (2025)? 

The 2025 Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Jango Baie.

This six year-old came with a powerful late run to see off the odds-on favourite Majborough and recent Shloer Chase winner L’Eau du Sud.

The win also gave jockey Nico de Boinville his third Arkle success – having won the race with Altior (2017) and Shishkin (2021) in the past.

 

 

Andy Newton Written by Sports EditorAndy Newton
Andy is a horse racing journalist and betting expert who specializes in trends and stats. With his long association with FromTheStables, Andy has also built up solid contacts with some of the best stables in the UK. Has written for GeeGeez and bookmakers Matchbook and BetBright in the past too, plus was the former sports betting editor of odds comparison site Easyodds and Juicestorm. Has also appeared on betting podcasts for MatchBook and has featured in the popular Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Guide in the past. Andy's also ghost written for former top jockey Richard Dunwoody and continues to have a monthly column in the Racing Ahead horse racing magazine. Now a regular on Sportscasting giving his views, trends and tips mainly on horse racing - if there's a stat to be explored and it's a sport, Andy is sure to find a betting angle to use. You can also hear Andy's weekly horse racing views and best bets on the popular Final Furlong podcast.
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