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

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 32.65s

Hillcrest²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 139| BF

1/1

Completed a hat-trick over hurdles in 20f listed novice at Cheltenham. Hampered and unseated third in Classic Hurdle there 21 days ago, but he remains a smart staying prospect. The one to beat.

Form: 21-111U

Green Book¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137| C

3/1

Improver on Flat in 2021 and has continued on the up switched to hurdles, bagging third win in 3m Sandown handicap a fortnight ago. Likely to do better still, so this course scorer holds good claims.

Form: 2-211U1

Anglers Crag^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Pipe| D

20/1

Ex-Irish bumper scorer who had a breathing op before making a winning yard/hurdles bow in 20f novice at Leicester 17 days ago, overcoming a sketchy round of jumping. Has more to offer upped in trip.

Form: 1/1393-1

Crystal Glory⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 124| BF| D

17/2

Progressive hurdler who scored twice before excellent second in 20f Newcastle novice last month when set too much to do. Dual winning pointer has more to offer now stepping up to 3m. Considered.

Form: 11-112

High Stakes²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: W Greatrex| OR: 130| D

14/1

Point/bumper winner who has improved with each of his three runs over hurdles, runner-up in 23f Lingfield novice last month. No forlorn hope.

Form: 111-2F2

Readysteadybeau^p1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 114| BF| CD

66/1

Opened his account over C&D before good second in 3m handicap at Wetherby last month. Cheekpieces go on now but more is needed in this grade.

Form: 42-2412

Scipion³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 131

15/2

Has shown fairly useful form to be placed on both his starts, third to Stag Horn in Leamington Novices' Hurdle at Warwick (21f) 35 days ago. Staying sort who can't be discounted now upped to 3m.

Form: 22-23

Forecasts

Hillcrest (1/1), Green Book (3/1), Scipion (15/2), Crystal Glory (17/2), High Stakes (14/1), Anglers Crag (20/1), Readysteadybeau (66/1)

HILLCREST saw his unbeaten hurdling record end in unfortunate circumstances at Cheltenham and is fancied to regain winning ways with this step up in trip expecting to suit. Recent 3m Sandown scorer Green Book should ensure Henry Daly's smart staying prospect doesn't have things all his own way though, while both Crystal Glory and Scipion also have more to offer now their stamina is drawn out.