The 'speed horses don't win Arkles' view, that is

They used to.  In the days when 5yo got a huge weight claim...

Sorry thieves - was meant to be a tongue in cheek comment but re-reading it, it sounded like I was being arsey, which I was not intending!

I have always thought that the Arkle is one of the best races at the Festival (especially for novices) and when the class increases, so does the requirement to have a complete package in a horse to win it (i.e. - you need speed, stamina, good jumping etc,,). However, you can win weakish renewals without a complete package, or flipped on it's head, you can win strong ones too, so long as you are blessed with most of those characteristics at a very high level.

So, I think you can win an Arkle without necessarily wanting/needing to go further than two miles as long as you jump very well and have tons of speed. It's just that usually those types don't tend to be exceptional, which helps propagate the idea that speedy sorts don't win it.

Am probably making a complete hash of trying to explain what I think here so will give up!

This is what its all about - having an opinion and putting the green down.  Good luck everyone.