14:30 Cheltenham

Saturday 14 December 2019

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

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

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 6m 18.90s

Champagne Well^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 141| C| D

5/2

Bumper winner who took a while to get off the mark over hurdles finally doing so when favourite here in October (2m5f). Upped in to this level last time, produced a career best (coped well with deep ground); should go well again; yard in-form.

Form: 2D36-12

Valtor²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148| D

6/1

Smart chaser who produced a fine performance on his GB/stable debut last December over fences but never matched that subsequently including in the Grand National. Made the most of an easy opportunity over hurdles last time; faces a greater test here.

Form: 671P0-1

Igor²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

13/2

Stepped up considerably on his previous form when taking a 14-runner novice at Ascot (2m3f) late last month (placed in same race the year before). Has work to do at this level based on the evidence so far; trip remains a doubt but in good hands.

Form: 27-21

Kiltealy Briggs^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 125

7/1

On pedigree should relish trips like this but is inexperienced for a test such as this having had only three starts under Rules. Confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut last time, found an easy opportunity at Hexham (2m4f), more to offer.

Form: 2/221

Mossy Fen³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131| D

4/1

Winning Irish point-to-pointer (cost £60,000) who has remains unbeaten over hurdles having landed his first two starts in this sphere. Coped well with the drop in trip to 2m4f under a penalty last time; very likely more to come, test should suit.

Form: F1-11

Redford Road²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

14/1

Followed up his Warwick bumper win when finding plenty to beat some smart sorts at Wetherby over hurdles on his debut in that sphere. Up in trip and conceding weight to Valtor at Ascot last time, far from disgraced, capable of better over 3m.

Form: 2-112

Saint Xavier³⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140WS

20/1

Maiden hurdler in France but by the same token was a smart chaser in that land winning a Group 3 over fences at Auteuil last season. Now joined a top yard (has had a wind op); given fair task on GB debut; best to see how he shapes up first.

Form: 453146-

The Mulcair²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

7/1

Took three attempts to gain a win in Irish point-to-points after which he cost current connections £65,000. Repaid some of that fee when scoring on his Rules debut at Southwell beating a subsequent winner, race weak overall, impressed with attitude.

Form: 35/1-1

Forecasts

Champagne Well (5/2), Mossy Fen (4/1), Valtor (6/1), Igor (13/2), Kiltealy Briggs (7/1), The Mulcair (7/1), Redford Road (14/1), Saint Xavier (20/1)

Not an easy race to work out with a good few of these expected to improve for the move up to 3m. Colin Tizzard (no runner this year) has won this for the last two years but the last trainer to win the race before was Nigel Twiston-Davies who runs two very decent contenders and its MOSSY FEN his Aintree winner who gets the vote with an honourable mention going to Redford Road. The Henderson pair Igor and Valtor are both respected with Champagne Well another expected to make his mark especially as he comes from a stable that can do little wrong of late. Kiltealy Briggs related to Grand National winner Ballabriggs needs to improve but will be suited by this 3m test.