16:25 Haydock

Saturday 20 February 2021

All13:3014:0514:4015:1415:5016:2517:00

Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 31.38s

Alaphilippe²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| D

10/3

Irish point winner who progressed again despite losing his unbeaten record under Rules in a Taunton novice (19f) last time. Stamina to prove up in trip, but probably not done improving just yet.

Form: P1-1112

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Beatthebullet^p1⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| D

25/1

Dual point winner who beat Young Buck by 1¾ lengths when making his second Rules start a winning one at Hereford (25.5f) in November. Up in class now in cheekpieces but open to further progress.

Form: 4124-51

Exploiteur²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 129| D

9/1

Failed to score in 4 starts last season but has progressed well this term, winning handicaps at Ffos Las and Chepstow before a creditable fourth in River Don at Doncaster last time. Each-way claims.

Form: 5-21134

Le Cheval Noir¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 126| D

33/1

Good-looking Irish point/bumper winner who has made up into a fairly useful novice hurdler this term, but failed to meet expectations in a bumper last time and this company commands more.

Form: 52-1527

Mint Condition³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Candlish| OR: 138

2/1

Ex-pointer who has returned an improved model, winning a trio of handicaps, latest at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Just failed in Warwick Grade 2 last time and remains capable of better still up in trip.

Form: 2-11412

Mr Harp³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: T Gallagher| OR: 126

9/1

Placed in Southwell novice events prior to handicap debut success at Uttoxeter (23.3f). Improved again when runner-up in a good handicap at Warwick last time (25f), so he's certainly not discounted.

Form: 3/42312

Tupelo Mississippi²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Ellison| OR: 125

7/1

Dual bumper winner who opened his hurdle account in 6-runner maiden at Uttoxeter (19.9f) in December, grinding it out back down in trip. Held back by his jumping at Ascot subsequently, though.

Form: 11-2313

Young Buck^p,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| D

5/1

Successful pointer who resumed winning ways after 11 weeks off fitted with first-time cheekpieces at Chepstow (23.6f) 15 days ago, clear when idling badly run-in. Well worth his place at this level.

Form: 1/3-121

Non-Runners

Late Romantic³⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 11

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Mint Condition (2/1), Alaphilippe (10/3), Young Buck (5/1), Tupelo Mississippi (7/1), Late Romantic (15/2), Mr Harp (9/1), Exploiteur (9/1), Beatthebullet (25/1), Le Cheval Noir (33/1)

MINT CONDITION was worth extra credit for splitting the best-positioned pair from a far-less-advantageous pitch in the Leamington at Warwick last month, so he's given the vote with the prospect of more to come over this longer trip. Old-rivals Young Buck and Beatthebullet also need viewing positively.