Slight stamina doubt for rebel

Irish trainer Noel Meade today expressed his concerns over possible stamina limitations for Arch Rebel.

The four-year-old made an impressive start to his jumping career with a five-length victory over Don’t Be Bitin in a Grade Two contest at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

As a result of that performance he was promoted to 12-1 favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Meade told Racing UK: “He looks to have all the credentials you’d like to have in a horse for the Triumph.

“But I would think the one chink in his armour for the Triumph was that maybe his best trip on the Flat was a mile and a quarter and I often think in the Triumph you need to stay a full mile and six because they go such a rattle and they come home so well.”

Arch Rebel, who was a useful performer on the Flat, has proved a natural since having his attentions turned to hurdles.

“We only started to school him in November but as soon as we started he was just magic and took to it like a duck to water,” Meade continued.

“When he went to Leopardstown his jumping was very good but he did get very tired. He jumped the last brilliantly though he was tired but the first two were a distance clear of the third.

“I wasn’t surprised he got tired because it hadn’t been that long since he was gelded.”