15:20 Cheltenham
Friday 13 March 2026
All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus  |  Class 1  |  2m 7f 213y  |  22 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Most impressive when an 11-length winner on only start in bumpers at Cork (19f) last spring and resumed with a promising second in big-field Leopardstown maiden (2m) over Christmas. No match for The Passing Wife at Punchestown (19f) since but retains potential now upped to 3m. Tongue tie applied.
|
Useful bumper scorer who arrives a perfect 3-3 over hurdles, building on his Navan Grade 2 victory (form franked) in no uncertain terms when impressively landing Leopardstown Grade 1 last month (Kazansky second). Needs to contain his exuberance upped to 3m but looks to have plenty going for him.
|
Fair form in bumpers for Fergal O'Brien and very bright start hurdling switched to Willie Mullins, having no problem with the markedly longer trip when impressive taking his record to 2-2 in a Thurles novice (22f) in January. Jumping requires some polish but ready for this higher grade.
|
Point winner who was first past the post (subsequently demoted) in bumper last March. Again looked a good prospect when making a successful start to his hurdles career at Naas in November prior to a good third in Grade 1 back there in January. Stoutly bred so step up to 3m expected to suit.
|
Useful stayer on Flat who opened his account at second attempt over hurdles in ready fashion at Galway (22f) last summer. Acquitted himself well on 2 of his 3 starts in ultra-competitive contests on the level thereafter and won't be lacking for fitness given stable he represents.
|
One of the leading bumper performers of the 2023/24 season who cemented positive start since returning from a lengthy absence when opening hurdles account at Naas (18.4f) 5 weeks ago, making all and jumping soundly. This requires more up in class but he's likeable.
|
Promising son of Jukebox Jury who shaped well when third on sole hurdles run for Nicky Henderson last term and further progress for new yard, staying on well to supplement his Exeter reappearance victory at Carlisle (17f) 25 days ago. Likely to stay this far.
|
Brought down on hurdles bow in October but not looked back since, building on his Cork maiden victory when taking Limerick Grade 2 (23f, heavy) over Christmas. Improved further without proving a match for Doctor Steinberg in Leopardstown Grade 1 but he looks tailor-made for demands of this test.
|
Runner-up sole start in Irish points and promising start under Rules, landing back-to-back 2½m Leicester maiden/novice hurdles last year. Gave a good account when fourth behind Thedeviluno in River Don subsequently but he needs to progress again to feature here.
|
Promising type who was much improved from hurdling debut when third in Grade 2 here (21f) in November. Ran to a similar level when runner-up back in maiden company over that trip at Limerick and he needs to find improvement for the step up to 3m.
|
Useful bumper winner who has quickly built up a healthy strike rate over hurdles (now 3-4), overcoming the rise in class equipped with a first-time tongue tie when edging Grade 2 Classic here on Trials Day. Evidently on the up and his attitude looks a real asset.
|
Promise in a couple of bumpers for Harry Derham last season. Changed hands for £115,000 in October and confirmed positives of Ludlow hurdles debut success when following up in clear-cut style in class 2 novice at Ascot (19.3f) last month. Will stay 3m and there's better to come.
|
Well-related point/bumper winner who posted solid form in pair of graded hurdles this season prior to readily opening his account at Warwick (21f) in December. Looked well suited by step up to 3m when following up in Windsor novice in January and he's an each-way player.
|
Bumper winner who left hurdling debut form behind when landing big-field Navan maiden (2m) in December. Chased home a smart ex-Flat recruit in Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown (16.5f) on latest start and he remains type to do better now stamina is drawn out.
|
Successful on first of 2 starts in bumpers and has quickly looked every inch a smart prospect over hurdles this winter, again impressing with his response to pressure when making it 2 wins from 3 starts in a Punchestown novice (19f) in January. Better still to come now stamina is tested further.
|
Six-figure point purchase who was highly tried after making a winning bumper debut last season. Bright start over hurdles, looking well suited by return to a more galloping track when registering second success in novice at Newbury (2½m) last month. However, this clearly requires more.
|
Progressed well during second half of last year, gaining a third hurdles success in listed company at Cork (3m) in November. Set a stiff task on return when well-held seventh on return behind Doctor Steinberg at Leopardstown last month and expected to come up short again.
|
Fairly useful bumper performer who defeated a subsequent Grade 1 scorer on hurdles bow at Gowran (2m) in November. Improved without being seen to best effect when second next time and he relished step up to 3m when landing River Don at Doncaster latest. Looks a fine prospect and worth considering.
|
Useful bumper performer who has reached a similar level over hurdles following a lengthy absence, his best effort yet when third in Grade 2 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse (2m) in November. Capitalised on drop in class when easily landing Punchestown maiden (19f) in January.
|
Winning pointer who built on hurdling debut promise (second in strong Ffos Las maiden) when easily landing the odds in 8-runner novice hurdle at Chepstow (23.6f) in December. Appeared caught out by rise in class when fifth behind Thedeviluno in River Don since, however.
|
Ready winner of maiden/novice hurdles at Leicester (2½m) and cemented what had already been a promising start when second in Haydock Grade 2 last month, finishing with real purpose having been shuffled back approaching home turn. Could surprise at long odds.
|
Has made up into a fairly useful hurdler this winter, back on the up in no uncertain terms tackling this trip for the first time when successful in mares' listed event at Doncaster 2 weeks ago. In receipt of mares allowance now pitched into Grade 1 company but she needs to raise her game again.
|
Forecasts
Doctor Steinberg (3/1), Thedeviluno (4/1), The Passing Wife (7/1), Spinningayarn (8/1), Espresso Milan (12/1), Mondoui'boy (14/1), King's Bucks (16/1), Moneygarrow (16/1), Kazansky (16/1), Jalon D'oudairies (16/1), Doctor Du Mesnil (20/1), Kripticjim (20/1), Johnny's Jury (20/1), Road Exile (25/1), Fruit De Mer (25/1), Hipop De Loire (33/1), Ubatuba (33/1), Park Princess (33/1), Kicour La (50/1), The Price Of Peace (50/1), Tackletommywoowoo (66/1), Swindon Village (66/1)
KAZANSKY finished 8 lengths adrift of reopposing Doctor Steinberg when the pair met at the Dublin Racing Festival last month but appeals as the type who will be tailor-made by the demands of this race and at forecast odds, he could be worth siding with for the stable that landed this 2 years ago. Doctor Steinberg (3-3 over hurdles) has looked every inch a smart prospect and is highly respected, as is River Don scorer Thedeviluno. Spinningayarn and Mondoui'boy are also worth a look.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £87,022.002nd: £32,786.003rd: £16,408.004th: £8,196.005th: £4,114.006th: £2,057.007th: £1,021.008th: £526.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
