Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 26.30s

Ramses De Teillee^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 148| D

5/6

Smart chaser (pulled up in last year's Grand National); appears suited by a return to hurdles especially after a recent wind op. Powered clear to win a Doncaster Grade 2 last time suited by a stamina test; scope to do more; leading chance on form.

Form: 22P-141

Kalooki¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140

15/8

Useful in bumpers without winning one he learnt plenty from his debut to score on his next start at Ludlow (won 17L). Repeated that margin of victory when completing a simple task at Wetherby; clearly promising and capable of more.

Form: 325-411

Overthetop⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 130| D

8/1

Bumper winner who has won 2-3 over hurdles bouncing back from a defeat at this level with an odds-on win at Newcastle last time in ordinary novice company. This will be a more demanding test; yet to prove that he's up to this class.

Form: 11-161

Port Of Mars^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 131| D

9/1

Won sole point-to-point start before having no luck at all on his hurdling debut (brought to a halt by a blundering rival). Made amends when winning last time at Chepstow (upped to 3m); yard in good form, will enjoy this test of stamina, in the mix.

Form: 1/21

The Ferry Master²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 119| D

40/1

Irish point-to-point winner who is given a very stiff task as he attempts to break his maiden under Rules. Took a step forward from his debut last time at Ayr showing that he could win an ordinary novice; would be a shock winner.

Form: 3/413-32

Non-Runners

Jepeck⁴²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 11

T: A J Honeyball J: Rex Dingle

Forecasts

Ramses De Teillee (5/6), Kalooki (15/8), Jepeck (5/1), Overthetop (8/1), Port Of Mars (9/1), The Ferry Master (40/1)

The top five on the card are all in the Albert Bartlett with the likely market leader Ramses De Teillee the shortest priced in that market at around 16-1 (also still holds a Grand National entry). He’s sure to relish this test but faces some smart up and coming young staying hurdlers with hat-trick seeking KALOOKI looking to be a major threat despite the step up in grade/trip; he looks made for this test. In-form trainer Olly Murphy is double-handed with Port Of Mars looking to be his best hope his display last time at Chepstow leaving no doubt that he’s open to further progress granted a test such as this.