Cheltenham ground reported 'in good nick'

CheltenhamConditions at Cheltenham are reported to be perfect ahead of the four-day Festival that starts on Tuesday.

Officials stopped watering both Old and New Courses on Thursday but it is possible some more could be put on the New course which is used on the last two days of the meeting as not much rain is forecast.

The going is described as good to soft, good in places on both Old and New Courses and good, good to soft in places on the cross-country course.

McNamara keen on Tranquil and Alaivan


Tranquil SeaAndrew McNamara feels Tranquil Sea and Alaivan are his two best chances of glory at Cheltenham.

The jockey teams up with the Edward O'Grady-trained duo in Thursday's Ryanair Chase and the JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday respectively.

"All's very well with Tranquil Sea. He did a piece of work yesterday. I didn't ride him but I saw him and he was in great form," McNamara told At The Races.

Native heads Champion 12


Go NativeGo Native heads a field of 12 who will go to post for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Noel Meade's seven-year-old is in line for a £1million bonus from betting firm WBX.com if triumphant after landing the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and then the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Nicky Henderson has three chances in the race with Punjabi going for a second successive victory and the pick of jockey Barry Geraghty.

• 14th Mar, Hobbs hoping Qaspal gets run
• 13th Mar, Weird Al misses Cheltenham
• 13th Mar, Kauto heads 12 for Gold Cup
• 13th Mar, Walsh keen on Celestial
• 13th Mar, Solwhit will head to Cheltenham
• 12th Mar, Weld has Passage concerns
• 12th Mar, Power hopeful of first festival success
• 12th Mar, Emmet Mullins ruled out of Cheltenham
• 12th Mar, Geraghty stays loyal to Punjabi
• 12th Mar, Binocular will run in Champion
• 12th Mar, Brennan to ride George horses

Full Cheltenham Festival 2010 News Index