Seven year old Arbor Supreme is a progressive Irish handicapper who had three wins in 2008 and had a fairly great season in 2009 also. He began to show huge promise when he came first in his consecutive race entries, the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Handicap Chase at Punchestown in April 2008 followed by the Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse in November.

His solid form including a good third place at Down Royal in March, where he travelled well on soft ground over 3m 2f, demonstrated to all that he is a game stayer. This achievement provided him with odds of 12-1 for the Irish Grand National Chase, where he was up against several top horses. He only managed to come a disappointing 14th, but made up for it when he came third in the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival in May, to Ambobo and Vic Venturi, when ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Owned by JP McManus and trained by Willie Mullins, it comes as no surprise that Arbor Supreme is a likely candidate for the 2010 Grand National at Aintree with antepost odds of 25/1 on Paddy Power and 30/1 on Betfair. He has won over distances in Ireland in particular, so his stamina is not questionable, and he might not be the best on firm ground, but he has proved himself to be well capable on good and soft ground. He is definitely considered to be an improving young stayer who could become one of Ireland’s high hopes for Grand National glory in April 2010.