Five horses who will love soft ground at Cheltenham Festival with rain forecast in build-up to day one

CHELTENHAM Festival could be a bit of a slog on day one with racing’s greatest meeting set to start on soft ground.

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin confirmed a ‘very wet’ build-up to the four-day bonanza means we could see mud flying for the first seven races.

PAThe mud could be flying on day one of the Festival[/caption]

Here, Sun Racing takes a look at five horses who could benefit from the going.

And don’t forget to have a look at our five horses who beat the handicapper after the weights were revealed.

Ballyburn – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Willie Mullins’ superstar novice is favourite for the Supreme, the first race on day one, and the Baring Bingham, the first race on day two.

But key to him getting punters off to a flyer may well be soft ground.

He made light work of Slade Steel when cruising to victory in the Grade 1 2m race at Leopardstown earlier this month.

And he thrashed runner-up Cleatus Poolaw by 25 lengths the time before that on ground that was soft to heavy.

He looks to relish cut underfoot – although one word of warning: his sole defeat came to Firefox – 7-1 for the Supreme – on soft.

But Ballyburn has looked unbeatable since then and that runner-up finish was his first run of the season.

Ballyburn – Supreme evens

Ndaawi – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

A former Andrew Balding inmate on the Flat, Ndaawi has improved with every run for Gordon Elliott.

Being Flat-bred, there is always the chance that good ground could eek out further improvement.

But there is no doubt he has shown enough to suggest that soft ground is to his liking as well, an easy win last time out at Naas suggesting as much.

His high knee action was especially notable that day and there looks to be way more to come from this four-year-old, whose dam won a Listed race on heavy.

Ndaawi – Boodles 8-1

Trelawne – Ultima Handicap Chase

Trainer Kim Bailey could have the key to the Ultima in the shape of Chianti Classico – but don’t discount the admittingly ‘frustrating’ Trelawne.

Master trainer Bailey has been careful with this horse, only ever running him on soft or worse.

He was third in a red-hot novices’ chase at Cheltenham last December.

Ginny’s Destiny and Grey Dawning were one-two that day – and now both are joint market leaders for the Turners’ Novices Chase.

It’s concentration rather than ground which is vital to Trelawne.

But his record shows soft is his preferred surface and he can put up a good showing if he keeps his mind on the job.

Trelawne – Ultima 16-1

Lossiemouth – Mares’ Hurdle

She has an entry in the Champion Hurdle – but the Mares’ is a penalty kick for Lossiemouth.

It’s a general rule that French horses love soft underfoot conditions.

After all, their version of soft tends to be our heavy.

Lossiemouth, who won the Triumph last year, was awesome on Trials Day and the step up to 2m4f should really be no problem.

Lossiemouth – Mares’ Hurdle 8-15

Meetingofthewaters – National Hunt Chase

If – and it’s a big if – this horse runs here then look out.

All four of his victories have come on ground with ‘soft’ in the description.

Paul Byrne is an ultra shrewd owner and the horse is trained by Willie Mullins.

If you do take the plunge, make sure to back Meetingofthewater non runner money back, because he is entered in four races at Cheltenham and is market leader for the Ultima, too.

Meetingofthewaters – National Hunt Chase 10-1

And one who won’t like it…

Marine Nationale – Arkle

Before Constitution Hill’s already infamous workout, the biggest shock of the season was Marine Nationale flopping completely at Leopardstown earlier this month.

Trainer Barry Connell said the ground that day made the difference.

Although the former Supreme winner looked OK when cruising to victory on soft in his race before.

Huge question marks surround this horse and he may just be worth taking on if we get more rain in the build up to day one.

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