'That performance was huge' - Ile Atlantique slashed for Arkle after impressive success in Racing Post Novice Chase

Don't be frightened of taking on expensively acquired, highly rated opponents, whether on the football pitch or the racecourse. Ask Tony Bloom.

His Brighton And Hove Albion are renowned for spending wisely rather than outlandishly and the chairman's team showed that his policy is still working by holding Premier League-chasing Arsenal 1-1 on Saturday. 

The owner then had a win rather than a draw to celebrate a day later at Naas, even though his Ile Atlantique was not rated as highly over hurdles as his two classy rivals in the new Racing Post Novice Chase.

Simply put, neither Firefox, a one-time €280,000 buy, nor Inthepocket, who was bought for £290,000, could live with him.

The 13-8 shot led from halfway under Paul Townend in the Grade 2 and pulled clear from the last fence to score by five lengths from Firefox, with 11-10 favourite Inthepocket a further seven lengths back in third.

Paul Townend, Julie Flory and Willie Mullins following the victory of Ile AtlantiqueCredit: Patrick McCann

Ile Atlantique had won well on his chase debut at Navan last month, and Willie Mullins believes switching to fences has made a big difference to him.

"He's just such an efficient jumper, he's gaining a half-length at every fence," the trainer said. "Paul came in and he told me he just did it all himself. He claps his eyes on a fence, gets his legs in the right order and bang-bang down to it and meets it. Having a horse like that is a huge help to a jockey, you just sit there and let him do the work."

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Ile Atlantique is an 8-1 chance (from 20-1) for the Arkle with Paddy Power, and Mullins added: "He's a lot stronger horse since last season which is a big help."

The trainer must now juggle options at next month's Dublin Racing Festival, which is also a likely destination for smart novice chasers Majborough and Impaire Et Passe.

"We can go two miles or two and a half with him now, so we will look at the Dublin Racing Festival and decide which way we'll go," the trainer said.

"That performance was huge, I thought. He could go with Majborough for the Irish Arkle or with a couple of others to the two-miles-five Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the DRF."

Gordon Elliott was happy enough with runner-up Firefox, and said: "He ran well. He struggled with the ground the whole way, but I love the way he battled to the line. He will be alright on better ground."

My Pension Expert Arkle Chase (Cheltenham, March 11)

Paddy Power: 4-5 Sir Gino, 3 Majborough, 8 Ile Atlantique, 14 L'Eau Du Sud, 16 Ballyburn, 20 bar

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