Three horses who might be inconvenienced by the ground at Cheltenham on Saturday

It's good ground at Cheltenham on Saturday with only a small possibility of showers during the afternoon. Here are three fancied runners on Trials day who could struggle on the unseasonably quick going.

Cheltenham defends small fields on Trials day with quality on show

Pied Piper

Odds: 5-4 favourite

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12.45 Cheltenham)

Why's the ground an issue?

The short-priced favourite for the Triumph Hurdle trial beat the highly regarded Vauban at Punchestown when he was last seen, but he is unproven on anything like this sort of surface.

Pied Piper (left): unproven on anything like this sort of surfaceCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

His two victories on the Flat and his hurdling debut last time came on heavy ground and he has been thoroughly beaten on both good and good to soft.

Who will be suited by conditions?

Iceo has also won both of his starts on soft, so Interne De Sivola could be the alternative. His Warwick third came on good ground and it was only good to soft when he won over this course and distance last month.

What do our Spotlight experts say?

Useful Flat; raced freely at Punchestown (1m7f, heavy) but that win was highly promising

Imperial Alcazar

Odds: 11-2 (6-1 with bet365)

Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (1.20 Cheltenham)

Why's the ground an issue?

He carries top weight after finishing second on both of his starts over fences, but one of those came on good ground in a match behind Silver Forever at Newbury and most of his form supports the theory that he is better on more testing ground.

A winner over 3m1f on heavy, he could get outpaced over just 2m4½f under his big weight and perhaps should be watched until he goes up in trip.

Who will be suited by conditions?

In contrast, Your Darling thrives on a decent surface and could fare better if ridden more conservatively than when third at Kempton last time.

What do our Spotlight experts say?

Remains open to progress over fences, particularly if jumping more fluently

Farinet

Odds: 11-2

Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (1.55 Cheltenham)

Why's the ground an issue?

The Venetia Williams-trained grey is another who will have questions to answer on what we know about him already.

Farinet (right): could come undone after winning twice on softCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

His two victories in Britain have come at Sandown on soft ground and he was pulled up after getting outpaced on good to soft in the Racing Post Gold Cup in December, and his French form doesn't offer much hope either.

Who will be suited by conditions?

Magic Saint is both a winner on good ground and at this track, so he looks the the most reliable candidate at the top of the market.

What do our Spotlight experts say?

Ex-French 7yo who is 2-4 in Britain, the wins gained at Sandown; open to further progress

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