Elliott delighted with Mengli Khan as he sets out on road to Arkle

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Lalor looked special at Cheltenham and Kalashnikov whizzed around Warwick but now it is the turn of Mengli Khan to showcase his credentials for the Racing Post Arkle at Cheltenham in March.

Last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle third makes his eagerly awaited chasing debut at Punchestown and Gordon Elliott is excited about the prospect of sending the 150-rated hurdler over fences for the first time.

Racing Post Arkle odds

Elliott said: "Mengli Khan has had a wind operation since you saw him last. His schooling has gone very well and I have been very happy with the way he has taken to fences. I am looking forward to getting him out and this looked a nice race to start him off in."

Mengli Khan won the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in impressive fashion at Fairyhouse around this time last year, and he was only two lengths behind Summerville Boy in the Supreme, so it is no surprise to see him priced at between 12-1 and 14-1 for the Arkle with only Lalor and Kalashnikov more prominent in the market.

It is not a straightforward assignment for Mengli Khan, though, as he faces Forge Meadow, who was rated only 4lb inferior to him over hurdles and won a Grade 2.

Forge Meadow was a beaten favourite on her chasing debut at Galway last month but there were plenty of positives to be taken from her third to Dawn Shadow.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: "I was happy with her at Galway and the simple fact of the matter is that she just blew up, that was all that happened. I do think she has come on quite a bit for that run.

"She is a lovely mare who we have always liked so I'm looking forward to seeing how she gets on. It is obviously a hot race with Mengli Khan in there but she should run well."

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Trainwreck is no slouch – he is rated 135 over hurdles – and is out to make it third time lucky over fences. Like Mengli Khan he represents owners Gigginstown House Stud.

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