Donald McCain At Cheltenham: My thoughts on my Tuesday runners

Donald has been left frustrated by the recent rain ahead of Overturn's Arkle run.

Donald is worried about the changing ground for some of his leading lights on day one of the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham

14.05 Racing Post Arkle Trophy (2m)

Overturn

He's done everything we have asked of him this year - the preparation has gone swimmingly, he's jumped superbly and everything looked rosy until the rain arrived. It's no secret that he wants better ground and although he's run well on slower in the past, it's a bit of blow that it's going to be soft. To be honest, I don't think anyone knows quite what it's going to be like once the covers come off but I am fearing the worst. He's absolutely bouncing at home and should give it his all but I am certainly not as confident as I was at this stage last week.

14.40 JLT Specialty Handicap Chase (3m)

Our Mick

He's shown he handles bad ground in the past and it's much less of a worry for him than some of our other runners on Tuesday. He ran a cracker in this race last year and after his run here in January, we thought it was best to save him for the race - if he'd jumped three out on that occasion he would have probably gone up in the weights so although it was frustrating at the time, it might turn out to be a blessing. He's got an obvious chance but it's a 24-runner Festival handicap and he won't be the only one going there with big expectations.

15.20 Stan James Champion Hurdle (2m)

Cinders And Ashes

I think we've got him as well as he has been all year but it's a bit of a sickener that the ground is as bad as forecast. It doesn't look the deepest Champion Hurdle, he's been trained for the race all year but unfortunately he's going to have to do it on ground he simply isn't as good on. It's a shame but there's nothing we can do about it - hopefully it won't be as bad as they are suggesting but who knows,

16.40 OLBG Mares' Hurdle (2m4f)

She Ranks Me

I would have been hoping for better ground for her too but at least she will go on softer - she's a tough thing and will give it her all but realistically, they all look to be playing for second behind Quevega. She's had a good year and deserves to take her chance - I would like to think she had a decent chance of finishing in the money, even though we accept that she's unlikely to be good enough to win.

17.15 Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase (2m4f)

Kruzhlinin

He's got form on slower ground and has had a good winter. He should appreciate the step up in trip and has got enough experience to think he would be suited by a race like this - it's just a case of whether he's well enough handicapped to beat horses that might not have been campaigned as openly as he has.