Majborough bolts up in Irish Arkle to send message to Sir Gino

laid down a marker to Sir Gino when destroying the opposition in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at .

While far from foot-perfect, the five-year-old undoubtedly has a huge engine and will be looking forward to taking on Nicky Henderson’s current favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham next month.

Majborough won the Triumph Hurdle last season, when Sir Gino was an absentee, and the two now look on course to finally clash on the opening day of this year’s festival, barring accidents.

Mark Walsh was keen to ensure there would be no hiding place on the 8-11 favourite but there was the odd hairy moment on the way round, albeit without him ever looking like he would fall.

With stablemate Ile Atlantique seemingly unable to go the gallop set by his younger companion, only Gordon Elliott’s Touch Me Not was ever within touching distance.

When Walsh asked Majborough to stretch rounding the home turn, the race was over and he went on to win by nine lengths.

Betfair cut the winner to 9-4 from 3-1 for the Arkle and eased Sir Gino to 5-6 from 4-6.