Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 5m 58.57s

Jet Blue³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Reveley| T: D Cottin

9/2

Useful hurdler in France, winning then second over 2¼m at Auteuil this autumn for Hugo Merienne. Steps up significantly in trip on this first outing for David Cottin.

Form: 3/371-12

Skyjack Hijack¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 138| D

11/8

Very progressive front-running hurdler who readily completed a 6-timer in 2¾m novice at Newcastle a fortnight ago. This is his toughest assignment yet but his fluent jumping should continue to hold him in good stead.

Form: 111111

Western Knight²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 128

9/2

Second in the first of 2 bumper starts and winning of novices at Uttoxeter (2½m) and Ascot (21.5f) since switching to hurdles. Looks capable of better again and unlikely to give up his unbeaten hurdle record without a fight.

Form: 2/7-11

Aboutdamntime²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

14/1

£50,000 Irish point recruit who made a successful start to his hurdle career in 2½m Carlisle maiden last month. The third gave the form a bit of a boost when scoring comfortably at Kelso last weekend. Open to improvement.

Form: P/2-1

Clondaw General⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| D

9/2

£150,000 purchase on the back of Irish point success and followed up in 4-runner novice hurdle at Worcester (23f) on Rules debut in October, forging clear after the last. Looks a useful stayer in the marking.

Form: 1-1

Yellow Car¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Slatter| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 124| BF

12/1

Point winner who looked quite useful when winning 2 of his first 3 starts over hurdles but needs to shrug off a disappointing run in a Doncaster handicap 2 weeks ago. Up in trip.

Form: 1U1215

Non-Runners

Stop Loss⁶³¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: Max Kendrick

Forecasts

Skyjack Hijack (11/8), Jet Blue (9/2), Western Knight (9/2), Clondaw General (9/2), Yellow Car (12/1), Aboutdamntime (14/1), Stop Loss (66/1)

SKYJACK HIJACK has progressed at such a rate of knots that he may be able to take the step up to Graded level in his stride. Western Knight and Clondaw General might be the pair to give Jennie Candlish's fluent-jumping front-runner most to do.