The sires whose runners have a good record on heavy ground

Voix du Nord (Strike rate on heavy ground in last five seasons = 27%)

One of Voix du Nord’s best horses was Taquin du Seuil, who proved particularly effective when the mud was flying and notably made his Grade 1 breakthrough in a heavy-ground edition of the Challow Hurdle. Taquin du Seuil raced seven times on ground described as heavy by Timeform, winning on five occasions.

Voix du Nord is also the sire of Voix du Reve, who is entered in the Ladbrokes Trophy, Kemboy, whose running plans have been put on hold due to an ownership dispute, and Defi du Seuil.

Walk In The Park (26%)

Walk In The Park – who finished second to Motivator in the 2005 Derby at Epsom – has become one of the most sought after National Hunt stallions in recent years following the exploits of Douvan and Min. His progeny have also proved effective on testing ground.

Douvan won the Clonmel Oil Chase on heavy ground on his belated return to action.

Saddler Maker (26%)

Apple’s Jade, Bristol de Mai and Janika are just three horses sired by Saddler Maker who possess plenty of talent and handle testing conditions. No sire in the past five years has a better run-to-form percentage when the going turns heavy.

Bristol de Mai is especially effective when the mud is flying and will head to the Betfair Chase at Haydock, where he is bidding to win the race for the third consecutive year. He revels in the mud, and has a brilliant record at Haydock, so will be a warm order to do so.

Janika gained due reward for his consistency when winning the Haldon Gold Cup on his return at Exeter and, while top-end handicaps are likely to be tough to win from his revised mark, he wouldn’t look out of place in the Tingle Creek, particularly if the ground was testing.

Great Pretender (25%)

Great Pretender has had only 57 runners on heavy ground in the past five seasons but 14 of those have won, returning a healthy level-stake profit of £35.49.

Great Pretender’s best known offspring is the exciting and versatile mare Benie des Dieux. She won the Grade 1 Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil in May and her only defeat from eight starts for Willie Mullins was when falling at the last, when in control, of the Mares’ Hurdle. She looks set for another successful campaign.

The sire is also responsible for Great Field. He was a very smart novice chaser in 2017 but has been sparingly raced since, not seen since running below form at Punchestown in April.