The Next Arkle

The Next Arkle explores Ireland’s passionate love affair with Cheltenham through the gripping story of Carvill’s Hill, a brilliant but flawed racehorse, and his notorious owner, Liam Marks. It is the story of a dramatic, spectacular but ultimately heartbreaking quest for glory with a nation's hopes and dreams pinned on a giant horse.

The Next Arkle explores Ireland’s passionate love affair with Cheltenham through the astonishing story of Carvill’s Hill, a brilliant but flawed racehorse, and his notorious owner, Liam ‘Billy’ Marks. Marks, a professional gambler and major figure in Ireland’s corrupt 1980s beef trade. Marks, who likened himself to the slick lawyer, 'Razzle Dazzle' Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago, had a turbulent career punctuated by a kidnapping, threats of violence, innumerable court cases and accusations ranging from fraud and corruption to IRA-linked money laundering. Through all this chaos, he clung to one conviction: that one day the giant Carvill’s Hill would win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. A generation of Irish race-goers, longing for a new champion in an era of English dominance, shared that dream. What followed was dramatic, spectacular but ultimately heartbreaking. This gripping true-life story feels like a Hollywood film!

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.