14:50 Cheltenham

Friday 16 March 2018

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle)

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 6m 13.60s

Ballyward⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

10/1

Started favourite on all his starts so far winning his bumper impressively and then absent for a year before making his hurdling debut. Beaten on that initial run he made amends on his next start showing a good attitude amongst some inexperience.

Form: 2/1-41

Beyond The Law^t⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: M F Morris| OR: 139| DWS

33/1

Has plenty of experience over hurdles and showed that he handles deep ground when winning back-to-back hurdles either side of Christmas. Not hard to have doubts about his ability over this trip after he failed to stay 2m6f last time; may struggle.

Form: 043114

Calett Mad^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142| CD

14/1

Arrived from France as a chaser but suited by a return to hurdling winning three times and scoring in a competitive handicap last time. Appeared suited by the change of tactics there (held-up) and will handle deep ground; travels strongly.

Form: 2-11541

Chef Des Obeaux²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N D Fehily| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150

9/2

His form has improved leaps and bounds since he's been racing over staying trips often travelling strongly and looking at home on deep ground. His last win in a Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock placed him very much in the picture for this race; stays well.

Form: 7/2-2111

Chris's Dream²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Mark Walsh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| D

6/1

Took a huge step forward on his debut for this yard, stepped straight up to 3m relishing the test and coming well clear of toiling if underperforming rivals. That puts him in the picture for this race; stable had the second in the race last year.

Form: 10-6211

Crucial Role⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 139| BF| D

50/1

Given his pedigree it was no surprise to see him improve when given a chance over 3m winning a Ludlow handicap in easy fashion. Failed under a penalty to win again but ran with credit; now steps up in grade and will find this a whole lot tougher.

Form: 142212

Dortmund Park^t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 140WS

20/1

Connections lost their main candidate for this event but he looks a good substitute having improved with every run and looks suited by a test. Not disgraced up in class last time although he does have ground to make up with Tower Bridge on that run.

Form: 1-16114

Enniscoffey Oscar⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| D

20/1

Now starting to fulfil the promise that he showed earlier in his career and showed plenty of stamina and resolution when winning a Grade 2 last time over 3m (Calett Mad 4th). On his way to proving a smart stayer and will relish this test.

Form: 2-47311

Fabulous Saga^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145| BF| D

20/1

Winner of a Cork Grade 3 by a wide margin (third hurdle win) he barely needed to improve to follow up that victory at Limerick. Handed a heavy defeat in a Grade 1 behind Tower Bridge last time (might have done too much early); has something to prove.

Form: 123117

Kilbricken Storm^t⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 143| CD

25/1

Having won a 2m novice he was upped markedly in trip (3m) to gain a win in a Cheltenham Grade 2 beating a small field. He showed good resolution there but failed confirm his previous form two weeks later and now comes here given a good break.

Form: 5-13113

Mr Whipped⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145| BF| D

16/1

Unbeaten over hurdles until he turned in a rather lacklustre performance last time out suggesting the race may have come too quickly. May need more time to fulfil his promise although he can't be totally ruled out here based on his previous form.

Form: 1-1112

Mulcahys Hill⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 147| BF| D

33/1

Turned in a gutsy effort when trying to make all in the Challow at Newbury under an ultra-attacking ride (just caught by Poetic Rhythm). The effects of that hard race appeared to remain last time out (ran poorly) and he'll need to bounce back.

Form: 27-1124

Ok Corral³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144

10/1

A fragile sort he does have a lot of potential and looks to be living up to that after his last win where he relished the 2m5f trip; the furthest he's tried. Looks as though there is better to come if he can be kept sound; interesting runner.

Form: 12/121

Paisley Park^v1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| BF

20/1

Tough sort who has a stamina-laden pedigree but despite running well in his last two races he still only has a single win to his name. Showed that he deserved his chance at this level when running second in a Grade 2 but likely to come up short.

Form: 2-122

Poetic Rhythm⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 148| C| D

10/1

Already a winner at Grade 1 level (as well as Grade 2) with his form working out well overall, he made the most of his experience to tough out a win in the Challow. He appears to relish a slog in the mud and should improve for this test.

Form: 330-131

Real Steel⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

16/1

Steps up to a mile in trip from his three runs for this yard so far but looks to have gone backwards from his initial win (both subsequent runs at Grade 1 level). Tried with different tactics last time and hard to know what to expect here.

Form: 2-1F5

Robin Waters⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

33/1

Took advantage of a good opportunity last time out winning easily at short odds and will find this a bigger test. Won that race with plenty in hand building on two good previous outings but does need to find some more improvement.

Form: 1331

Santini⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| C| D

5/1

Unbeaten in two starts so far he had looked smart on his debut and proved he was when winning a Grade 2 staying on strongly to beat Black Op (2nd in the Ballymore). Will be suited by this trip but does lack a little in experience this event.

Form: 1-11

Talkischeap³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 142| D

20/1

Given an increased test of stamina, he won well on his handicap debut appearing to relish the testing ground. Steps up in grade and back into novice company now; that gives him a stiffer task to overcome.

Form: 33-1141

Tower Bridge^t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 142

12/1

Left his previous efforts over hurdles well behind when beating two of today's rivals last time out over 2m6f. That run replicated his previous good bumper form and he could step forward on that given a greater test.

Form: 4-11041

Forecasts

Chef Des Obeaux (9/2), Santini (5/1), Chris's Dream (6/1), Ok Corral (10/1), Ballyward (10/1), Poetic Rhythm (10/1), Tower Bridge (12/1), Calett Mad (14/1), Real Steel (16/1), Mr Whipped (16/1), Fabulous Saga (20/1), Dortmund Park (20/1), Enniscoffey Oscar (20/1), Paisley Park (20/1), Talkischeap (20/1), Kilbricken Storm (25/1), Robin Waters (33/1), Beyond The Law (33/1), Mulcahys Hill (33/1), Crucial Role (50/1)

The last four winners of this have all started at double-figure prices in a race where experience usually counts. That could be a negative for likely favourite Santini who has only had two races so far but has won them both and he does have course experience. The team behind Chris’s Dream had the second in this last year and he looks set to run well for them whileChef Des Obeaux has impressed with the way he has progressed and will handle conditions. The tough and genuine POETIC RHYTHM looks the ideal type for this test though; he appears to relish a real test and and he’s already shown himself capable at this level.