In the latest of GG’s 2021 Cheltenham Festival Previews, Daryl Carter has cast his eye over the hugely competitive Albert Bartlett Novice’s Hurdle, which forms part of day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival
ALBERTT BARTLET HURDLE OVERVIEW
Seven of the last 16 were course winners and seven others had never been to the track previously so course form is not absolute but, given the abandonment of Trials Day, it could be an uphill task for the British in yet another race.
Nine from the last eleven were rated 140+
Minella Indo is the only winner with less than 3 runs over hurdles and only Monkfish of the 16 hadn’t run in a Graded hurdle
Six from the last eight started hurdling in 2-mile races but it is worth avoiding those who ran in the Cheltenham or Aintree bumper with 0/13.
Favourites have a poor record and are 0/13
ALBERT BARTLETT KEY CONTENDERS
ADRIMEL 25/1 (Official Rating 142)
Tom Lacey’s entry sits second on the ante-post list of the British runners and fits the mould for many of the stats. He started his hurdling career over 2m, has the right official rating and won a Graded Hurdle at Warwick last time in a race that has produced useful horses in the past.
He showed an excellent attitude to land the Grade 2 Leamington Novice Hurdle and looks a horse that will appreciate a step up in trip to 3m so must hold valid claims for a weak English team. He will have to defy the above bumper stat, however, and it is easy to crab the form of his latest win given there were only three lengths separating the first five home but he may prove to be the best the English have to offer.
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STATTLER 10/1
A bumper winner and a winner of a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown before being put in his place at the same venue over 2m6f by Gaillard Du Mesnil. He made all of the running before tiring in the closing stages as his stablemate powered to victory and he lost second place to Gentlemansgame who looks likely to reoppose here.
That was the first attempt over further than 2m4f and he didn’t have the required stamina so the fact that he remains at the top of the ante-post market is questionable.
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FAKIERA 11/1
As a second-season novice he has shown improved form this term racking up back-to-back victories over 2m and 2m4f before catching the eye with a powerful finish behind Ashdale Bob at Navan.
He looked sure to be suited by a step up in trip at the Dublin Racing Festival and came with a late rattle to finish a well-held fourth behind Gaillard Du Mesnil, Gentlemansgame and Stattler. All of his best work came at the finish so there is optimism that 3m and a stiff finish at Cheltenham will see him to best effect and he has to rate a player.
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GENTLEMANSGAME 14/1
A 21-length winner of a maiden hurdle before an excellent effort to finish runner-up at The Dublin Racing Festival behind Gallard Du Mesnil. He was no match for the winner but stuck to the task well in a performance that suggested a step up further to 3m would be beneficial.
He wasn’t given an overall hard time on first attempt in Grade 1 Company (as silly as it sounds) and he shaped as though there were better days ahead of him. He does lack experience and five-year-olds don’t hold an excellent record but he is with a shrewd trainer and given he won first time up (trainer rarity), he has already confirmed himself as useful.
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BARBADOS BUCK’S 14/1 (Official Rating 139)
Has now recorded three consecutive wins including an excellent success on his latest start at Kempton in which he clocked a very useful time. He has improvement to come and his finishing effort on this occasion was very eye-catching as he shaped as though a stiffer test would certainly suit.
He has course experience from running in a Cheltenham Bumper in October 2019 when a well -beaten seventh but the trainer’s horses tend to improve with time. Paul Nicholls has finished runner-up in this contest twice in 2009 and 2010.
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TORYGRAPH 20/1
This race has eluded Gordon Elliott but he holds a live chance this term and his representative has now recorded back-to-back successes at Fairyhouse and Thurles in good style.
It is interesting that this horse has won both of the same races that last year’s winner Monkfish won on route to this race and he looks to be improving with each start.
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DUFFLE COAT 25/1
Remains unbeaten over 2m which includes an excellent five-length victory over a future Grade 1 winner, Adagio, and all of his best work has come at the end of his races. He is yet to be tried over further than 2m which is a concern and he likely has targets elsewhere but would be of interest should he line up here with a handy weight allowance.
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ALBERT BARTLETT HURDLE BIG-RACE VERDICT
This is one of the toughest markets to assess with the ante-post betting still offering 10/1 the field but I like the planning of Gordon Elliot with TORYGRAPH who has followed the route of last years winner Monkfish and that in itself is a signal of intent. He has put his races to bed in the style of a useful performer and while the form is hard to asses he is certainly going the right way.