The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle splits the final card at the Cheltenham Festival as a full field of 22 runners line up to etch themselves in Prestbury Park staying folklore.

The three-mile contest was inaugurated in 2005 when a fourth day was introduced to the Festival, and it was elevated to Grade 1 status in 2008.

As the Irish continue their strong breeding of excellent staying thoroughbreds, it’s no surprise that they have taken nine of the last twelve runnings of the race officially known as the Spa Novices’ Hurdle.

2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Runners

Doctor Steinberg leads the Willie Mullins contingent with Paul Townend aboard seeking to give Closutton their fifth win in the race since 2017. The son of Doctor Dino was an eight-length winner of the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy last time out, albeit in a weak renewal. That took his record over hurdles to three from three and while the majority of Doctor Dino’s thrive over shorter, there is stamina in his pedigree for this trip.

Thedeviluno was second to Doctor Steinberg at Navan in December but he improved on that next time out when taking the Grade 2 River Don over three miles at Doncaster in good style. With form figures of 6222121, this consistent gelding looks assured to run a promising race. The Passing Wife was second to Thedeviluno on hurdles debut but stepping up beyond two miles for the first time, he was a nine-length winner in a Maiden Hurdle last time out.

Thespinningyarn steps up from lesser company here compared to some, but this son of Order Of St George, from the family of 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle second Sam Spinner, looks well suited to thus step up in trip. Patrick Mullins won this last season and gets the leg up on Espresso Milan, who’s unbeaten in two starts for Willie Mullins since joining from Fergal O’Brien.

You’d have to go some way down in the market to find a fancied British-trained runner as Mondoui’boy has attracted support of late for Ben Pauling, who’s given glowing reports regarding this son of Castle Du Berlais of late. Moneygarrow was disappointing early on this season, but he’s now two from two for the Skelton’s since having wind surgery.

2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Racecard

15:20 Cheltenham

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

Going Soft
Distance 2m 7f 213y
Class Class 1
Race Type Hurdle Turf
Surface Turf
Runners 22
Win Time 5m 59s

1st 7

Johnnys Jury W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

20/1
(Won)

J: Gavin Sheehan T: Jamie Snowden

OR: — RPR: — Form: 3-11

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

2nd 4

Fruit De Mer W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

28/1

J: Sean Flanagan T: Henry De Bromhead

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-13

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

3rd 19

The Passing Wife W: 11st 7lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

11/1

J: Keith Donoghue T: Gavin Cromwell

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1-3351

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

4th 12 1 tip

Mondouiboy W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

14/1

J: Ben Jones T: Ben Pauling

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-611

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

5th 15 1 tip

Spinningayarn W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

12/1

J: Jack Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott

OR: — RPR: — Form: 14-311

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

6th 11

Kripticjim W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

22/1

J: Brendan Powell T: Joe Tizzard

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1-2111

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

7th 21

Ubatuba W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

40/1

J: Mr Ben Sutton T: Olly Murphy

OR: — RPR: — Form: 112

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

8th 13 1 tip

Moneygarrow W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

18/1

J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-3511

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

9th 18 6 tips

Thedeviluno W: 11st 7lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

13/2

J: Sean O’Keeffe T: Paul Nolan

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-2121

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

10th 17

Tackletommywoowoo W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

50/1

J: Mr D L Queally T: Declan Queally

OR: — RPR: — Form: F16117

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

11th 16

Swindon Village W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

80/1

J: David Bass T: Charlie Longsdon

OR: — RPR: — Form: 6-3131

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

12th 3

Espresso Milan W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

11/1

J: Mr P W Mullins T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 42-711

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

13th 6

Jalon Doudairies W: 11st 7lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

14/1

J: Danny Gilligan T: Gordon Elliott

OR: — RPR: — Form: 13/221

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 1

Doctor Du Mesnil W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

28/1

J: Danny Mullins T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 1-22

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 2 4 tips

Doctor Steinberg W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

9/4F

J: Paul Townend T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: -15111

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 5

Hipop De Loire W: 11st 7lb Age: 9 yo Gelding

25/1

J: Harry Cobden T: W P Mullins

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-1

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 8

Kazansky W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

25/1

J: Jordan Gainford T: Gordon Elliott

OR: — RPR: — Form: U112

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 9

Kicour La W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

100/1

J: Callum Pritchard T: Ben Pauling

OR: — RPR: — Form: 114

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 10 1 tip

Kings Bucks OUR TIP W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

14/1

J: Darragh O’Keeffe T: Henry De Bromhead

OR: — RPR: — Form: 2-432

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 14

Road Exile W: 11st 7lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

28/1

J: Sam Ewing T: Gordon Elliott

OR: — RPR: — Form: 21-312

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 20

The Price Of Peace W: 11st 7lb Age: 7 yo Gelding

80/1

J: Sean Bowen T: Rebecca Curtis

OR: — RPR: — Form: 215

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

PU 22

Park Princess W: 11st 0lb Age: 6 yo Filly

50/1

J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Anthony Honeyball

OR: — RPR: — Form: /12171

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

+o+e Betting Returns

	Payout
Exacta	£428.60
Straight Forecast	£476.90
Tricast	£6359.81
Trifecta	£5228.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

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SPOTLIGHT:

Daily Mail:

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2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Trends

If you require some trends to narrow down the field, here are four crucial ones for the Albert Bartlett.

No favourite has won since 2013
The last nine winners have been aged 6 or 7
Six of the last seven winners have been trained in Ireland
Eight of the last ten winners have gone off at double-figure prices

2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Tips

Eight of the last ten winners of the Albert returned at a double figure SP and the progressive Mondoui’boy can spring another surprise for a yard that were agonisingly beat into second in the 2024 renewal of the Albert Bartlett. His convincing seven-length success in a historically smart Ascot Novice last time out has worked out well, and he can improve for this step up in trip. Road Exile looked in desperate need of a stamina laden trip when second to Sober in the Moscow Flyer last time out and he can give another good account for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown who won this with Stellar Story in 2024. Doctor Steinberg is entitled to run well here for a yard who have an excellent record in this race, he’s beating several of the re-opposing rivals but there is the suspicion that he might not have the required stamina for this contest.

Mondouiboy

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Result

4th 14/1

Road Exile

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

Doctor Steinberg

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

FAQs

When and where is the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle run?

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle will take place at Cheltenham racecourse on Friday 13 March, 2026 at 3.20pm.

How can I watch the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Friday?

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is shown live on ITV Racing at 3.20pm.

When were the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle tips published?

The tips for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle were published at 1.45pm on Thursday 12 March.

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Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle tips, odds, racecard & trends: Brits can cause staying novice upset

2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Runners

2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Racecard

15:20 Cheltenham

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

+o+e Betting Returns

Selections

2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Trends

2026 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Tips

FAQs

When and where is the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle run?

How can I watch the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Friday?

When were the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle tips published?