14:50 Cheltenham
Friday 17 March 2023
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus  |  Class 1  |  2m 7f 213y  |  Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |  20 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:50Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 59.49s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Successful on sole outing in points/bumpers and also made a winning hurdling debut at Galway in late October. Still held a narrow advantage when taking a tired-looking fall at the last at Navan next time but was found out in better company at Naas 6 weeks later and looks set for another struggle.
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Bumper winner who has passed each of 3 tests over hurdles so far with flying colours, just about to assert when left clear 2 out at Wincanton in January (21.4f). 3m could unluck more but this is clearly a different ask.
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Highly-promising sort who improved again when completing hat-trick in Grade 2 company at Naas on first start for Emmet Mullins last month (2m). Very versatile regards trip and his limit hasn't been reached so he demands a place high on the shortlist having been purchased by leading owner since.
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Useful winner at 12f on Flat. Won 4-runner Monksfield Novices' Hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy, 10/1) 42 days ago by 8 lengths from American Mike, suited by way race developed. Shaped like a stayer when third to Champ Kiely in Lawlor's of Naas Novices' Hurdle last time, again doing best work late on.
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Fairly useful bumper winner who took hurdles form to a whole new level when landing the odds by 35 lengths in 5-runner novice at Thurles (23f) in January. Will stay 3m and further progress very much on the cards so very dangerous to underestimate.
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Bumper winner who went from strength to strength during latter part of 2022, completing the hat-trick with a smooth success at Limerick in December (23f). Very professional type but may lack the scope of a couple of these.
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Big-field maiden winner on debut at Naas in November and took step up in class in his stride when following up at Cork a month later (Grade 3). Unable to concede 6 lb to a stablemate at Clonmel but it was another very good effort on the figures. Stamina for 3m assured. Tongue tie on first time.
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From family of fairly useful chaser Bagad Bihoue and finished alone on his sole start in Irish points. Easy winner in the mud at Worcester in October and cracking effort in defeat upped to Grade 1 level in the Challow. That gruelling race may have left a mark given heavy defeat in the River Don.
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Talented triple-bumper winner who made the most of a big drop in grade when landing the odds in maiden company at Punchestown in January (24.5f). Dominating this field a completely different ask but he's useful.
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Promise in points and a bumper and very encouraging start over hurdles when second to Shanbally Kid at Navan in January. Upped in class and trip and that didn't prevent him going one place better in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novices' Hurdle at Clonmel, fending off stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake.
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Winning Irish pointer who was unconsidered in the market (66/1) but looked a useful prospect nonetheless when runner-up on hurdling debut here (20.3f) on New Year's Day, pulling miles clear of the remainder. Still looked green when going one place better over same C&D and limit not yet reached.
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Progressed into a smart chaser last season, winning 4 of his 5 starts. However, proved bitterly disappointing returned to hurdling after 8 months off at Bangor in November. Was in process of showing more at Haydock but he took a heavy fall at the last.
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Useful bumper winner who opened his account over hurdles in stylish fashion in Punchestown maiden (21.7f) in November. Upped to Grade 1 company and ran a fine race when third in Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown. Wouldn't be as strong a stayer as some of these.
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Naas bumper winner (fourth in the Champion Bumper) who landed the odds in a maiden hurdle on the same card a year later in January. Longer trip may bring about further progress.
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Landed the odds in a bumper at Fairyhouse on Rules debut in November and shaped like a stayer when third on hurdles bow at Leopardstown a month later. Work to do with Monty's Star and Hiddenvalley Lake on Clonmel running last month.
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Fair bumper winner who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut with victory in 14-runner maiden at Navan (20f) in January, well suited by longer trip. This is a big step up in class but he's in excellent hands and open to further progress.
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Underwent breathing surgery after winning his only outing in Irish points and made the perfect start over hurdles at Newbury (20.5f) in November. 9 weeks on he emerged with plenty of credit when second in the River Don and stamina is clearly his forte.
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Took 5 goes to get off the mark in points but looked an above-average staying prospect during the autumn, winning at Worcester and Wincanton. Found the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury too much but that race worked out very well and he was well on top upped to 23.5f when adding to his tally at Ascot.
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Bumper winner on his sole start in that sphere and he responded well when doubling hurdles tally in novice company at Fairyhouse in January. Looks all about stamina so 3m is expected to unluck more for his top yard. Massive player.
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Point/useful bumper winner who shaped with plenty of encouragement thrown in at the deep end on hurdling debut and saw off Rock My Way when getting off the mark here (20.2f) on New Year's Day. Can't have been right given bow easily he was brushed aside, albeit in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown.
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Forecasts
Corbetts Cross (9/4), Three Card Brag (4/1), Embassy Gardens (8/1), Hiddenvalley Lake (17/2), Favori De Champdou (12/1), Seabank Bistro (12/1), Letsbeclearaboutit (16/1), Stay Away Fay (18/1), Monty's Star (18/1), Dawn Rising (20/1), Shanbally Kid (22/1), Sandor Clegane (28/1), Rock My Way (33/1), Search For Glory (33/1), Weveallbeencaught (50/1), Thomas Mor (66/1), Chianti Classico (66/1), Saint Palais (100/1), Affordale Fury (150/1), Idalko Bihoue (250/1)
Very open by Grade 1 standards but there's an air of star quality surrounding CORBETTS CROSS, who has been acquired by J.P.McManus having taken another step forward when scoring on debut for Emmet Mullins at Naas last month. There will be no hiding place regarding stamina here and, with that in mind, Three Card Brag is a massive threat, while those looking for one at longer odds, we certainly haven't seen the best of Stay Away Fay.
- Stay Away Fay18/1
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £75,964.002nd: £28,620.003rd: £14,324.004th: £7,155.005th: £3,591.006th: £1,796.007th: £891.008th: £459.00
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