The clerk of the course at the Cheltenham Festival this week has single-handedly turned the week into a mud bath. It would have been soft regardless but his actions in watering the track on Tuesday night has seen the track become bottomless. This is majorly disappointing but it is what it is. Adrian Wall has picked out three horses who should relish the heavy going on Thursday. Make sure you find our Cheltenham Festival tips on the website.
Third Wind is a keen going sort but he has his optimum conditions and all of his wins have been on soft or heavy. He ran way to freely when a remote third in the Rendlesham at Haydock last time but a big-field handicap will be more his cup of tea. He will be able to get settled in midfield and get buried away. If he can settle, he is a major player in these conditions and he was fourth in this race in 2020.
This looks a wide open renewal with the majority of the main protagonists beating one another all season. As such, it might be worth looking outside of those with this Irish-trained mare, Royal Kahala. It’s fair to say that Klassical Dream didn’t run his race when behind her in the Galmoy at the end of January but it was a further step up the ladder for the selection. That was her first run at three miles and was a career best effort and the New Course having a little more juice in it than the Old is going to be a big plus for her. She’s only had ten runs in her life so there should be more to come and that’s not something than can be said about the majority of her opponents.
The top weight Frontal Assault will absolutely love this ground and Gordon Elliott can wrap up day three with another win. This is generally a race that goes to a classy type and he certainly fits the bill. He finished eighth behind Galopin Des Champs in the Martin Pipe here last year on ground that was on the quick side for him, but a huge run is expected now we have mud in the offering.
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