Five horses who will thrive on the soft ground at Cheltenham on Saturday

Cheltenham takes centre stage on Saturday with a seven-race card headlined by the Paddy Power Cleeve Hurdle (3.35). The ground, which is officially soft, heavy in places, will play an important role, and five Racing Post reporters have selected some key fancies who will relish conditions at the Gloucestershire track.

Espoir De Romay
1.15 Cheltenham

Kim Bailey is having a marvellous year at his local track with three winners from six runners and the gruelling conditions will be relished by Espoir De Romay, who goes in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old was a fine second at Haydock on heavy ground last time, beaten only by Saturday's outstanding Peter Marsh winner Royale Pagaille, who was in receipt of 5lb.

Saturday's racecards

On reflection, a 2lb drop in the weights is a gift from the handicapper. Espoir De Romay has experience in big handicaps and huge potential.

James Stevens, reporter

Clan Legend
1.50 Cheltenham

With all ten of his career victories coming on ground described as soft or heavy, Clan Legend should thrive in the testing conditions at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The Nick Alexander-trained chaser, who also holds an entry at Wetherby on Thursday, might have turned 11 this month, but he posted a career-best performance when scoring impressively at Aintree last time.

Nick Alexander: may coax another success out of Clan LegendCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Going into Grade 3 company for the first time off an 8lb higher mark will be tougher, but he's in the form of his life and will have his optimum conditions.

Andrew Dietz, reporter

Bear Ghylls
3.00 Cheltenham

Trainer Nicky Martin described the soft ground at Exeter on Bear Ghylls' last appearance – when he easily beat Stormy Flight by five lengths – as the fastest ground he has ever run on.

The unbeaten hurdler, four from four on a soft surface, should therefore have no qualms about the testing conditions on offer at Cheltenham. He can bolster his credentials for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle in March.

This will be the six-year-old's biggest test and if anything is to slow him down it would be his jumping, which hasn't been perfect, rather than the heavy surface.

Sam Hendry, reporter

Chti Balko
4.10 Cheltenham

Donald McCain caused a big upset when Navajo Pass got the better of Buveur D'Air at Haydock on Saturday and could be in for another weekend success with Chti Balko.

The nine-year-old has an excellent record in testing conditions, having won four of his nine starts on heavy ground including a wide-margin success at Haydock in December.

Chti Balko was an impress scorer at Haydock in DecemberCredit: John Grossick Racing

He disappointed on soft at Kempton last time but is very consistent in the main. It will not be the ground that stops him running a good race in the concluding handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Tom Ward, reporter

Stormy Flight
4.10 Cheltenham

An impressive winner on heavy ground at Taunton last March, Stormy Flight has left the impression his turn is near with two highly creditable recent placed efforts.

Again doing all his best work towards the finish when runner-up to the smart Bear Ghylls at Exeter last time, he runs off the same mark of 123 and will appreciate the stiff track.

Stormy Flight stays further, so a stamina test at 2m1f on very testing terrain should play to his strengths.

Richard Birch, tipster

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