16:25 Haydock

Saturday 17 February 2024

All13:0213:3714:1014:4015:1515:5016:2516:55

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

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 6m 49.5s

Alcedo²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 122

14/1

Useful bumper performer who shrugged of a disappointing hurdle debut at Chepstow in October when running out of a comfortable winner of a 16-runner maiden at Exeter 2 months later. Collared only in the final 100 yds by Mt Fugi Park at Leicester subsequently and open to further improvement.

Form: 12-012

Bowenspark²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: H D Daly| OR: 122| BF

5/1

Useful dual bumper winner who easily landed the odds at Stratford on his hurdling debut. However, isn't straightforward and was turned over at short odds under a penalty at Fontwell last time.

Form: 144-1F2

Great Pepper⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 121| D

11/2

Dual point winner who showed a good attitude to make a successful hurdling debut in a 13-runner novice at Hexham (20.1f, heavy) in November. Followed up with a much-improved effort at Kelso (22.7f, heavy) subsequently and strong chance there's further improvement to come now tackling 3m.

Form: P11-11

Haiti Couleurs⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 116

25/1

Made the frame both starts in maiden points back in 2021 and shaped well when chasing home Isaac des Obeaux on Rules debut at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy). Ran to a similar level when finding only a more experienced one too good at Ludlow (21.1f) since and remains open to improvement.

Form: 42/22

Inox Allen^t1⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| DWS

20/1

£40,00 buy after winning an Irish point and has won both starts under Rules, namely a Hexham maiden and an Ayr novice at up to 21.4f. Has had a breathing operation ahead of this step up in grade and is also fitted with a tongue trap but is entitled to improve further.

Form: 111

Isaac Des Obeaux²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

10/3

Defined a penalty in the manner of a useful novice at Chepstow (19.4f) in December. Not helped by the run of the race when third in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham subsequently and remains with potential over this longer trip.

Form: 37-6113

Latenightpass⁶⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| D

11/1

Landed the Aintree Foxhunters' in April 2022 and made second outing for Dan Skelton a winning one in 13-runner cross-country handicap at Cheltenham (29.2f) in December. Most likely using this as a prep run for bigger targets back over fences in the spring.

Form: 2114-21

Mt Fugi Park²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

4/1

Cost £290,000 after making a successful debut in the Irish pointing field last February and has looked a useful prospect in winning both starts over hurdles 3 months apart. Open to further improvement now stepping up in grade.

Form: 1-11

Now Is The Hour²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| D

12/1

Looked set to justify support until departing 2 out in a Limerick maiden in December and gained compensation in a similar event at Fairyhouse (20.3f) 3 weeks ago. Has more on his plate at this level but remains open to improvement.

Form: 12-89F1

Don't Rightly Know²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Gundry| OR: 121

11/1

Defied a long absence when readily getting off the mark in an Exeter novice in November and produced her best effort to date under a change of rider when second of 16 in a 3m handicap at Newbury 25 days ago. This is tougher, however, and the sharper nature of this track may not suit so well.

Form: 82/1232

Forecasts

Isaac Des Obeaux (10/3), Mt Fugi Park (4/1), Bowenspark (5/1), Great Pepper (11/2), Don't Rightly Know (11/1), Latenightpass (11/1), Now Is The Hour (12/1), Alcedo (14/1), Inox Allen (20/1), Haiti Couleurs (25/1)

GREAT PEPPER was value for a bit extra over the result after idling in front when defying a penalty at Kelso in December and could well be up to maintaining his unbeaten record under Rules now upped in class, especially with the extra distance likely to be in his favour. Isaac des Obeau wasn't seen to best effect in a Cheltenham Grade 2 on his most recent outing and remains with potential for last year's winning yard, with the shortlist completed by the promising Mt Fugi Park.