Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Bristol Novices' Hurdle)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 4.5s

Count Meribel²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: M D Grant| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138

7/4

Returned from summer break in rude health, winning first three starts of the campaign. Latest at Ascot (2m5½f, good to soft) and looks sure to go well again here despite rise in class and conceding weight.

Form: 222-111

Equus Secretus²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 139| D

9/4

Point-to-point winner who is two from two over hurdles so far, making all in both cases. Latest showed good attitude when challenged at Southwell (3m, good) last month. This is tougher but on the upgrade.

Form: 1-11

Global Stage⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| D

11/2

Unable to get off the mark over timber in four outings last season but winning reappearance at Ayr (2m4½f, soft) in maiden hurdle in October. This is a step up in class.

Form: 1/242F-1

Kilbricken Storm^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| D

3/1

Winner of a Class 3 novice contest at Wincanton over minimum trip last time out, moving to challenge when left clear at the final flight. Sharp rise in trip and more called for now.

Form: 45-131

Non-Runners

Aye Aye Charlie²⁹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: F O'Brien J: Conor Shoemark

Forecasts

Count Meribel (7/4), Equus Secretus (9/4), Kilbricken Storm (3/1), Global Stage (11/2), Aye Aye Charlie (12/1)

The unbeaten Equus Secretus will be keen to get on with things here and showed a willing attitude at Southwell last time when a question was asked. He isn't dismissed easily but COUNT MERIBEL has improved with each start this season and count solid hurdling amongst his assets. His trainer remains in good form and he could be capable of halting Ben Pauling's charge now. Global Stage and Kilbricken Storm are potential improvers, though they'll need to do just that to land the spoils.