Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Betting Tips and Race Preview

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A relatively new event at the Cheltenham festival with this being just the sixth renewal since the contest was made into a Grade 1 contest. 

There are 12 hurdles to be jumped over the 3 mile trip and it is a platform for future staying chasers to showcase their talents over the smaller obstacles.

At Fishers Cross (11/4 with Sportingbet)

The famous green and gold silks of J P McManus were carried to success in this race in 2006 and 2007 when it was as a Grade 2 event, and he looks to have his best chance for several years to regain this prize. The Rebecca Curtis trained At Fishers Cross has plenty of experience over hurdles having made his debut almost a year ago and didn’t achieve much at all last spring. He has returned much improved this winter though winning four races out of four, culminating in a Grade 2 victory at Cheltenham in his last race. He now has a rating of 152 and with two wins at the track already he finds himself a leading fancy for this race. He has six starts over hurdles to his name so he is a little more exposed than some and most of his form has come in testing ground. His jumping was very sketchy in his early races and that has improved of late but whether this will hold up on better ground is a big question mark against him. He stays well as he showed when beating The New One over 2m5f on his latest start but his jumping in a strongly run race will be put to the test.

Our Vinnie (10/1 with Sky Bet)

This Charles Byrnes trained 6 year old came 2nd to According To Trev at Cheltenham in October and has since won two Grade 3 contests in game fashion. Firmly put in his place by Pont Alexandre over 2m4f last time but 3 miles is much more suitable as is better ground. Experience at the track is always a positive but the form of that race has not been franked since. The winner According To Trev has finished 12L and 31L behind Coneygree in two starts since and on a form line through him he has a fair bit to find here. He has a good attitude and will improve for better ground, but was beaten by Ballycasey in a bumper and on the balance of his form has a bit to find.

Utopie Des Bordes (11/1 with Ladbrokes)

A French mare who was a Grade 1 Chase winner in France before moving to the Henderson yard for €255,000. She is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles in Britain and will be the most experienced horse in the field despite the fact she is only a 5 year old. Having chased a lot in France she jumped her hurdles fairly big on debut but was much improved in that department on her latest start. She has won on heavy ground over 2m6f but this will be her first attempt at 3 miles and perhaps more of a challenge for her will be the ground. The ground at Doncaster was the quickest she had encountered in her career and a softer surface would be more to her liking. She will have a 7lb mares allowance and as mentioned she has a lot of experience compared to some of these which may be in her favour. She is very small in stature but she should not be underestimated as this type of race should suit her; Fago has let down her chasing form from France but she is rated 146 and one of the more interesting outsiders…if the ground is not too quick.

African Gold (6/1 with Bet365)

Hasn’t taken a particularly attractive route for a potential graded performer but he has been undeniably progressive throughout the season. He is not flashy and has had to grind out most of his victories but he has seasonal form figures of 21111 and his game attitude should be well suited to this race. He scraped home in two handicaps before beating the well regarded Close Touch in his last race and one thing for sure is that 3 miles will suit him well. He is an improving sort and his front running style should be suited to this race so he could be tough to past. He does however seem to lack a change of gear and whether he quite has to class to hold off some of his rivals has to be called into question. His form leaves him with a bit to find and a career best is needed to challenge in this, but he is going in the right direction.

O’Faolains Boy (20/1 with William Hill)

Rebecca Curtis has a leading fancy in this race in the form of At Fishers Cross but this point to point graduate has impressed in his short career to date. He looks a real chaser in the making and he is not certain to run in this race but he looks one of the more interesting bigger priced horses in the field. Most of his racing has been done on soft ground and he has improved with every run. He has beaten some decent prospects in his two hurdling starts, including Oscar Magic, Ballytober and Midnight Appeal. He stays very well and whilst his jumping has been a little shaky at times he has plenty of scope and a nice combination of speed and stamina. He is probably a little short on experience for a race of this nature but he has run in three point to points in addition to his rules races, and pleasingly won over 3 miles on good ground so better ground could bring about more improvement. This would represent a big step up in class but he is an interesting contender if connections let him take his chance.

Le Bec (28/1 with Sky Bet)

A young horse who ought to show his best form once he is sent over fences but he has shown some ability over the smaller obstacles. He bolted up on good ground at Kempton before coming 2nd in a Grade 2 event in terrible ground at Sandown. Has been off since then in an attempt to avoid the soft ground and drying conditions will suit him well. He has done most of his racing right handed so this will be a very different test for him and on bare form he needs to improve to get involved. Only a 5 year old and he may find this all a bit too much at this stage of his career, but has potential and the better ground will at least be in his favour   

Betting Preview

An open race with plenty of unexposed and inexperienced horses taking each other on. At Fishers Cross has the Cheltenham experience but his jumping is a concern, and so Ballycasey gets the nod. He jumps well and he can take this step up in class in his stride despite his lack of hurdling experience. 

O’Faolains Boy has winning point to point form on good ground and he looks a real galloper who could be suited by this race. One that is under the radar currently and at a big price he is no forlorn hope.

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Betting Tips

1pt each-way O’FAOLAINS BOY @ 20/1 with William Hill

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Thatsbettingtips Staff

Thatsbettingtips Staff

Content Contributor at Thatsbettingtips.com
The team behind the betting tips, offers and promotions at tipster website thatsbettingtips.com.

Thatsbettingtips Staff

The team behind the betting tips, offers and promotions at tipster website thatsbettingtips.com.