Four runners who will love soft ground on day one of the Cheltenham Festival

Racing Post Arkle

The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old was a classy hurdler and has really blossomed over fences this season, particularly on soft ground. Victory over three-time festival runner-up Melon at Navan on soft to heavy was followed by a 22-length defeat of Ronald Pump in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse.

That victory was arguably helped by Samcro's slip-up late on, but JP McManus's hope is a force to be reckoned with on easier going, having won his only start on heavy and two of his three starts on soft since joining O'Brien.

Call Me Lord
Unibet Champion Hurdle

This French-bred entered the Champion Hurdle picture when landing the International Hurdle over the course in December on soft ground. Still only a seven-year-old, Call Me Lord has a good record for Nicky Henderson when the ground is easier with a win and three places on soft and a win and place from two starts on heavy.

Call Me Lord (green): struck in the International HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Having proved that going left-handed is not a problem, the likely strong pace and underfoot conditions should suit this consistent sort, who is bidding to secure his first top-level victory.

Espoir De Guye
Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase

Venetia Williams' runners traditionally fly through the mud and this six-year-old was no exception when he bolted up by ten lengths at Ascot in December.

The prospect of further rain would be no hindrance to Espoir De Guye, who has two wins and two places from as many starts on slower going for Williams.

The form of his Ascot success has worked out well, with third-placed First Flow winning twice and Cap Du Nord in fourth landing a decent handicap at Fakenham.

Lord Du Mesnil
National Hunt Chase

This admirable chaser has not looked back since his first career win at Newcastle in November, and it seems the softer the going the better for the seven-year-old.

Wide-margin wins in the Tommy Whittle and The Last Fling handicap chases were followed by a fine second-place effort in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. The going descriptions for those three runs were heavy, soft and heavy.

An assured jumper who has the assistance of Sam Waley-Cohen in the saddle, everything seems to be set for a big effort.

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