15:20 Cheltenham

Friday 14 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 57.13s

Argento Boy³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| BF

14/1

Debut bumper winner who was gaining his first win since landing the odds in 23f Punchestown maiden hurdle last month. Needs to step forward to figure here though.

Form: 10-62P1

Ballybow²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| D

22/1

Son of Flemensfirth has improved with each of his four runs in this sphere, bagging maiden at Naas (2m3f) and Grade 3 at Clonmel (3m) in 2025. Capable of better still so he's one to consider with his stamina proven.

Form: 2-10211

Derryhassen Paddy^t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 134| D

10/1

Won his sole start in Irish points/bumpers and has looked a bright prospect in going 2-2 over hurdles at Uttoxeter and Windsor. Battled well on latter occasion and is the sort to go on improving. Lively outsider.

Form: 11-11

First Confession²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 129| D

50/1

Points winner came in last of 7 in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury but bounced back to make it 2-4 in this sphere in 2m3f Ascot novice hurdle last month. This step up in trip shoudl suit but others possess better form.

Form: 1-3171

Fishery Lane⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 129

50/1

Very useful bumper performer who built on his hurdling promise to land 20f Fairyhouse novice in January. This represents a big step up but he's open to further progress.

Form: 25-031

Flicker Of Hope⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: M Fahey| OR: 134| D

25/1

Is enjoying a fine season and garnered his fourth handicap success at Navan (25f) in December. Took another step forward when third of 25 in 3m handicap at Leopardstown last time. Shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 118113

Inn At The Park⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins

66/1

Walk In The Park gelding got off to a successful start in 23f novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in December. Failed to build on that in the expected manner when fourth of 5 in 22f novice at Thurles following month. Shouldn't be written off for top stable though.

Form: 336-14

Intense Approach⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: J C McConnell| OR: 137| CD

14/1

Enjoyed an excellent summer/autumn when three times a hurdles scorer and also a fine second in Persian War at Chepstow. Resumed from a three-month break with a cosy 3m novice success at Musselburgh and he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 211211

Jasmin De Vaux⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141| BF| C| D

6/1

2024 Champion Bumper winner and he made a winning hurdling debut in maiden at Navan in December. Cheekpieces on when a solid fourth in Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown (22.2f) last time. The choice of Paul Townend from his yard's half dozen and he can go well.

Form: 11-8144

Jax Junior³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 137

22/1

Hasn't looked back since undergoing breathing surgery, making all in novice events at Doncaster and Ascot either side of Christmas. Advanced his form when third of 6 in listed hurdle at Huntingdon (2m4f) last month. Likeable sort who hasn't stopped improving yet.

Form: 23-7113

Jet Blue⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Reveley| T: D Cottin| OR: 140| CD

5/1

Very useful French hurdler who bagged a third success on his first outing for David Cottin in Grade 2 Bristol Novice Hurdle over C&D in December. Off since but he's much respected with his stamina proven.

Form: 13-3121

Jig's Forge⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| D

125/1

Winning Irish pointer who made a successful start in this sphere in 2m4f novice at Ffos Las in November. Not disgraced when a well-held fourth of 6 in River Don Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster (3m). Remains with potential.

Form: F31-14

Ma Shantou⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130| BF

25/1

Progessive sort who bagged novice hurdles (around 2m4f) at Warwick and Windsor before Christmas before posting an excellent third of 6 in River Don Novices' Hurdle (3m) in January. No forlorn hope.

Form: 10-2113

Nativehill^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 116| D

66/1

Changed hands for £260,000 after winning between the flags and he built on a promising hurdling debut Newbury second when landing the odds in 2m5f novice at Huntingdon 12 days ago. That form leaves him with lots to find here but remains with considerable potential now his stamina is unlocked more.

Form: 61/21

Port Joulain⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133| D

50/1

Useful bumper scorer who got off the mark at the third attempt in this sphere in 5-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (19.2f) in January. Needs this big step up in trip to spark improvement.

Form: 11-0P31

Sounds Victorius⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

20/1

Fourth in Champion bumper and improving over hurdles, scoring at Fairyhouse (20f) on New Year's Day before a very good fifth of 12 in Nathaniel Lacy and Partners' Hurdle at Leopardstown (22f). A real staying type who has more to offer here.

Form: 14-4215

Wendigo³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 137| D

16/1

Has quickly made up into a very useful hurdler, 4¾ lengths second to The New Lion in Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury before easily landing the odds in 2m4f Wetherby novice last month. Needs considering now stepping up to 3m.

Form: 11-2121

Wingmen^h⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| D

6/1

Smart bumper winner who got off to the perfect start over hurdles at Navan in November. Has improved with each of his three runs since, though no match for Final Demand when runner-up in Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown (22.2f) last time. Holds solid claims.

Form: 3-11232

Yellow Car⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Slatter| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 134| D

33/1

Point winner who has progressed steadily over hurdles, winning 2 of his first 3 starts at Newton Abbot and Fontwell. Took another step forward when narrowly landing River Don Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster (3m) in January and this likeable sort is respected.

Form: 121531

The Big Westerner⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| D

9/2

Westerner mare made a winning start in points and quickly made up into a smart hurdler when bagging novice at Punchestown then Grade 2 at Limerick (23ft) by 4¼ lengths from Mozzies Sister. Open to further improvement. and she rates a big player receiving 7 lb all round.

Form: 1-11

Forecasts

The Big Westerner (9/2), Jet Blue (5/1), Jasmin De Vaux (6/1), Wingmen (6/1), Derryhassen Paddy (10/1), Argento Boy (14/1), Intense Approach (14/1), Wendigo (16/1), Sounds Victorius (20/1), Ballybow (22/1), Jax Junior (22/1), Ma Shantou (25/1), Flicker Of Hope (25/1), Yellow Car (33/1), Port Joulain (50/1), First Confession (50/1), Fishery Lane (50/1), Inn At The Park (66/1), Nativehill (66/1), Jig's Forge (125/1)

This looks wide open but Henry de Bromhead last won this with his Gold Cup hero Minella Indo and his smart mare THE BIG WESTERNER can use her 7 lb sex allowance to telling effect and retain her unbeaten record over hurdles. Gordon Elliott's Wingmen found only Final Demand too good in a Leopardstown Grade 1 last time and heads the list of dangers, although Jasmin de Vaux (choice of Paul Townend), Wendigo and Ballybow all command plenty of respect too. Derryhassen Paddy completes the shortlist.