It Was Time a live Arkle contender – but don’t rule out British challenger in wide-open division

At 2.30pm on Saturday, the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown was won by Il Etait Temps, with the Cheltenham Festival ante-post favorite finishing fifth of the six runners, beaten by ten and a half lengths. The winner had previously landed the 2m Grade 1 novice hurdle on the same card 12 months earlier, demonstrating a strong performance at this meeting.