Four mudlarks who will relish conditions at Cheltenham

Joseph O’Brien sends over two new recruits to Cheltenham on Sunday, including Kim Roque who won three of his ten starts in France, and was last seen producing a career-best effort when second in a Listed contest. 

It’s hard to compare his form to the other contenders in this race, but all his outings in France were on soft, very soft, or heavy ground, so he should have no problem handling conditions here. 

He’s also a half-brother to three French Jumps winners, and if he has improved since joining O’Brien, a rating of 123 may underestimate him. 

This will be his first start since June, and connections will no doubt have a long-term plan in mind for this promising five-year-old, who they will learn plenty about on Sunday. 

Klass Langy (2.20) is the other French recruit O’Brien unleashes at Cheltenham, and he scored twice on heavy ground in France. He will be worth keeping a close eye on, too, and both are worth adding to your Racing TV Tracker. 

This nine-year-old was rated 146 in his prime for Willie Mullins before his mark declined follow a string of below-par efforts, and he joined Faye Bramley’s yard rated 139 in May. 

He was then given a wind op after three more disappointing runs and belatedly took a step back in the right direction when a narrow third at Aintree (in first-time cheekpieces) last time out after a pipe-opener at Uttoxeter. 

His latest effort was on good to soft ground, but he has two notable efforts on heavy going next to his name having finished second in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase last year, and in a Listed contest prior to that.

He should therefore relish the return to testing conditions on Sunday and now finds himself on a rating of 121, so is a well-handicapped performer on old form.Bramley’s charge attracted support on Saturday, and Harry Cobden is an eye-catching jockey booking.

It is almost two years since Nassalam stormed home to win the Welsh Grand National by an incredible 34 lengths on heavy ground off a rating of 145, and it is fair to say he has been a huge disappointment since. 

However, he has been set some lofty tasks having contested last year’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup and Randox Grand National. His past three outings have all been on good ground, too, so he has had excuses. 

Six of his seven victories, and notable placed efforts, have been on soft or heavy ground, and the return to a marathon trip in testing conditions should be ideal for him. He’s now rated 147 following his below-par efforts, with Freddie Mitchell’s 5lb claim easing his burden further. 

Blinkers are re-applied here, and Gary and Josh Moore have been operating at a 30 per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight. He’s also entitled to strip fitter for his return from a 342-day absence last time out, so a return to form could be on the cards. 

The Dan Skelton team remain in red-hot form, and fire three bullets at Sunday’s Unibet Greatwood Hurdle. 

Market leader Mirabad appears their number one hope on jockey bookings, although a case can be made for Knickerbockerglory who has won first time out for the past three seasons. 

Skelton’s nine-year-old remains 6lb above his last winning mark, but hugely promising conditional Freddie Keighley takes 7lb off, and Knickerbockerglory has recorded six of his seven victories on soft and heavy ground. 

He wasn’t fresh when seventh in this contest two years ago and better can be expected this time on his return to action.