Cerium displays Arkle potential

CERIUM staked his claim for the Arkle Trophy when opening his account over fences with a near faultless display under Paddy Brennan at Warwick yesterday.

A top-class hurdler last term, the Paul Nicholls-trained four-year-old had to battle hard with former stablemate Garde Champetre to take the Systimax Solutions Businesspartner Novices’ Chase by a length.

The pair were nine lengths clear of third-placed Neltina and bookmakers were impressed with Triumph Hurdle fourth Cerium.