Antepost: Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

Probably one of the last races on my mind throughout the season is always the Albert Bartlett. I can think of many horses I've dived into head first early season trying to take the value in this race and it's never ended well. Death Duty is one. Black Hercules another. What about Briar Hill back in the day too. Plenty have promised so much through the season and it's come crashing down on the day. So Ive been very cautious on this race so far and I hope it will serve me well. I have had one token antepost bet early in the season and that was Stellar Story. Says it all really.

2:50 Cheltenham - 3m - Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

Dancing City - 7/1

Disappointing in his opening maiden hurdle where he was duly stuffed, he's made rapid improvement in his next two starts culminating in winning the Grade 1 2m6f novice at the Dublin Racing Festival. Is soft ground a requirement? Maybe. However he ran a great race behind Ballyburn in a Punchestown festival bumper on good to soft ground. Great chance although I expect Paul Townend to pick another horse in the field assuming he runs. That won't be a negative in this race as shown over the years.

High Class Hero - 7/1

A horse who's always been hovering at the top of the betting for this race throughout the winter, he holds decent claims but looks there to be shot at. He's competed in 8 races already which gives him a little bit of an advantage over the lightly raced horses in terms of mentality and experience, however I think his form has plenty of holes in it. Beating Tag Man, Sequestered, The Big Doyen and Easy Fella amounts to decent summer form but not high class graded form over the winter compared to a couple of others. Saying that it doesn't look a strong year in terms of staying novice hurdlers. Will run his race.

Readin Tommy Wrong - 15/2

Grade 1 winner at Naas and looks to have a nice blend of speed and stamina that will suit this race. With winning form over 2 miles, he shown his stamina in the Lawlors of Naas in January beating Ile Atlantique. He does still look a little green and unfurnished however, but assuming he's improved since his Naas victory, that should stand him in good stead for this race. I think he'll be Paul Townend's pick in this race, however he does have the option of the Baring Bingham.

Shanagh Bob - 10/1

Shanagh Bob might be a horse who could end Nicky Henderson's Grand National hoodoo in a few years, assuming everything goes right for him. There's no doubt he looks like a chaser in the making and wants every bit of 3 miles based on his performances this season. Winner of 2 novice hurdles including a Grade 2 at this track back in December, he looked to hold decent claims for this race. However it was confirmed he suffered a setback before his next outing at Trials Day, and that might be a hinderance to his chances. If he runs well here, maybe that will set him up well for the 3 mile novice hurdle at Aintree in April.

Gidleigh Park - 14/1

This lad is going to be some chaser. Having watched his run back in the Grade 2 on trials day a couple of times, I hope they don't run him here. He's still a baby, keen and he didn't shape like he really wanted this trip that day despite staying on well in the closing stages. It was a slow pace, and Lucky Place got a wee bit of acceleration before Gidleigh Park got back on top after the last hurdle. I think at this stage of his career, a solid run in the Baring Bingham would suit. Perhaps a step up to 3 miles at Aintree would be next on his agenda.

Jonnywho - 16/1

Impressive winner of a maiden hurdle early in the season at Carlisle, he's probably not lived up to his potential since. A staying on 4th in the Challow was followed by a well beaten 4th at Cheltenham on Trials Day. He's been disappointing but the step up to 3 miles might help him.

Captain Teague - 16/1

Winner of the Challow Hurdle, he looks like he wanted every inch of 3 miles. He did wander around in the closing stages and was he running on fumes? The form looks shaky enough too. A half brother to Sky Pirate and Thecraicisninety, is that another reason for concern with his stamina too given they were at their best over a shorter trip despite looking stayers on paper. We'll see come March, however he wouldn't be my cup of tea right now and will need to prove his stamina to me first.

Lecky Watson - 16/1

A strange horse who shapes like a stayer but is still keen through his races. Tends to get outpaced before staying on, he probably lacks the ability of a few in this race but will be the type to plug on at the end of things and be in the money. I read his target is the Ballymore however. Each way chance.

Answer to Kayf - 20/1

I think this horse will run well in the Martin Pipe. I think that sort of race would suit him at this stage of his career rather than an all out slog in the Albert Bartlett. Would hold an each way chance if he runs for his shrewd trainer Terence O'Brien, but he's a couple of levels off the graded class horses in this race.

Croke Park - 20/1

If you're willing to forgive his run in the Lawlors of Naas where Gordon Elliott's stable stars were running well underpar, he probably holds a decent each way chance at 20/1. He's looked an Albert Bartlett horse at all stages this season despite having winning form over 2 miles. Even on that day he looked a proper stayer and the further he went; the better he is. A 400k purchase after a point to point win, he will be a horse for fences next season but can run outrun his price of 20/1. Assuming he's not missed any major work in his preparation for the festival of course after returning lame in January.

My Trump Card - 20/1

Another horse who was probably suffering in the New Year with the stable form of Gordon Elliott's when beaten at 4/9f at Fairyhouse, he won his maiden hurdle at Navan just under 3 weeks later. Prone to jumping errors, if he can sort them out he could run well given he looks a fine stayer in the making. Gordon Elliott mentioned cheekpieces which should improve his jumping, although for a trainer to be reaching for headgear like that after only 5 runs under rules is worrying.

Search for Glory - 25/1

If you were looking for an old school winner of the Albert Bartlett, this lad would fit that profile. A second season novice hurdler, he's won his maiden hurdle at the start of the season before winning 2 small field Grade 3 novice hurdles on heavy ground beating nothing. He looks as slow as a snail but might plug on in the closing stages for a top 5 finish if things fall his way.

The Jukebox Man - 25/1

3rd in the Challow. He's probably a few pounds off the top level Irish horses but might be the type to run a big race if you give Captain Teague a chance.

Stellar Story - 33/1

A long term antepost fancy of this website back at the start of the season for this race. It's not really transpired as I'd like for him over hurdles and after a poor performance in the 2m6f novice hurdle at the DRF, if he gets a mark under 145 (very likely), I assume he will head for the Martin Pipe. He's a good few pounds off the classier types here unfortunately for my long term antepost bet.

Welcom To Cartries - 33/1

Big money purchase after a 16L romp in a point to point in Ireland, he's delivered a decent level of form over hurdles given he's a proper chaser in the making. Given he travelled all over a classy type in Beat The Bat at Ascot first time out this season, he seemed to lack a bit of zest and looked a proper stayer in the making in his next two outings including in the River Don at Doncaster last time out. An out and out galloper, he might run here if Captain Teague is routed to the Baring Bingham and might run well. Next year looks his year over fences however.

Conclusion:

I think the race revolves around the three Willie Mullins horses at the top of the market, and at the moment I would side with DANCING CITY, who I was impressed with after his fine win at the Dublin Racing Festival. A good bumper horse who finished 2nd to Ballyburn, he's improved hugely after his dismal defeat in his opening maiden hurdle. I think this is probably the race where Paul Townend might actually pick the wrong horse and I expect him to side with Readin Tommy Wrong assuming he turns up here. Dancing City beat 2 good horses in Predators Gold and Jetara at the DRF, granted both were keen throughout, but that form is the form I want to follow at Cheltenham for this race. He's had plenty of racing too including in 3 bumpers and looks like he has understood how to race. He's crying out for this trip too but does possess a little bit of speed needed for the latter end of the race.

Readin Tommy Wrong looks full of ability but I'm not sure if he wants this test right now as he still looks green and unfurnished. Whilst High Class Hero will run his race but might just lack a touch of graded class the other Mullins runners have.

The UK have a few runners who will turn up here. I'm unconvinced on Gidleigh Park for this race as he's another one who doesn't want this test, whilst I'm not convinced Captain Teague is crying out for 3 miles right now. Jonnywho and The Jukebox Man look horses for next year too. Shanagh Bob would be an interesting runner however he suffered a setback post Christmas and that will be a hinderance to his chances here given he wasn't able to have a prep race. Aintree might be where he's fit and firing to win.

Given the Albert Bartlett's history; you'd be looking for bigger prices who can outrun their odds. Personally I think the contenders at big prices look a little thin on the ground at present. Gordon Elliott could get Croke Park or My Trump Card to run well, and I would suggest a small each way bet on either on the day with more places available. They both look 3 milers and have excuses for some backform. Whilst Welcom To Cartries is an intriguing runner, but is definitely a horse for fences next year.

Bets:

Dancing City - 1.5pts ew @ 7/1 NRNB (Bet365)

Already Advised:

Firefox - 1pt ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Supreme Novices Hurdle (Advised 23/02/2024)

Embassy Gardens - 1pt win @ 5/2 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Broadway Boy - 1.5pts ew @ 10/1 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Facile Vega - 1pt win @ 5/1 NRNB - Turners Novice Chase (Advised 18/02/2024)

Ile Atlantique - 1pt win @ 6/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Predators Gold - 1pt ew @ 20/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Found A Fifty - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Arkle Chase (Advised 16/02/2024)

Galvin - 1.5pts ew @ 9/2 NRNB - Cross Country (Advised 13/02/2024)

You Oughta Know - 1.5pts ew @ 11/1 NRNB - Champion Bumper (Advised 11/02/2024)

Fastorslow - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Gold Cup (Advised 05/02/2024)

El Fabiolo - 2pts win @ Evens - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Captain Guinness - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Stay Away Fay - 1pt win @ 5/1 (NRNB) - Brown Advisory (Advised 22/01/2024)

Monty's Star - 0.5pts ew @ 16/1 - Brown Advisory (22/01/2024)

Irish Point - 1pt win @ 6/1 - Stayers Hurdle (Advised 15/01/2024)

Ashroe Diamond - 1.25pts ew @ 7/1 - Mares Hurdle (Advised 10/01/2024)

Appreciate It - 1pt ew @ 14/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)

Banbridge - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)