ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE - PREVIEW & TIPS
3:30 CHELTENHAM
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE (GRADE 2) (REGISTERED AS THE HYDE NOVICES' HURDLE) (GBB RACE)
Great Fleet can capitalise on his course form, with Welonlyhavedone the chief danger.
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE - PREVIEW
The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, registered as the Hyde Novices’ Hurdle, is one of Cheltenham’s most informative early-season staying novice contests. Run over 2m5f on the Old Course, it regularly identifies horses capable of progressing into leading three-mile novices later in the campaign, winners such as Blazing Khal (2021), Thyme Hill (2019) and Hermes Allen (2022) all developed into high-class graded performers.
The contest carries a £47,552 first prize and has proven a strong race for both progressive Irish novices and British yards targeting a mid-autumn launch for their staying prospects. Trainers such as Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton, Gavin Cromwell and Nigel Twiston-Davies have all enjoyed notable recent success in this division, while form from the Champion Bumper often resurfaces here with mixed but occasionally high-quality results.
With conditions riding good to soft and a field featuring bumper graduates, point-to-point winners and already battle-hardened hurdlers, this year’s renewal looks typically competitive. What separates the contenders is proven stamina at or near the trip, course knowledge and the likelihood of progressing through the winter. It is in those areas where Great Fleet stands out above all others.
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE - RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE
DESTINATION DUBAI - 16/1
A dual bumper winner who signed off last term with a Grade 2 second at Aintree and he remains unbeaten over hurdles following Hexham and Wetherby successes. He jumps well enough and shapes as though 2m5f will suit, but this is a significant rise in class and he must prove he can cope with a strongly-run Grade 2. Solid, but others appeal more for win purposes.
FOUNTAINS BLENHEIN - 14/1
From a good staying family and made all with authority in a Fontwell novice on his reappearance. He’s likeable, has a touch of pace and should relish this trip, but that latest success came in modest company and he now meets a much deeper field. Capable of progressing, but this looks a demanding assignment at this stage of his development.
GREAT FLEET - 11/2
A soft-ground bumper winner who has shaped extremely well in two novice hurdles this autumn. Third to Conman John at Kelso before an excellent second to the same rival over 3m here at Cheltenham, he travelled like the winner and only faded late. The slight drop back to 2m5f looks ideal, he handles the track and he gives the impression there is plenty more to come. A strong, improving stayer with the right profile for this race.
HEADS UP - 5/2
Runner-up in the Champion Bumper, where he was ridden with precision, and made a straightforward winning start over hurdles at Listowel. However, he now steps up markedly in trip on softish ground against more seasoned stayers and his bumper form has not aged brilliantly. Talented, but he may find a couple more battle-hardened and better suited to this test today.
IMPERFECTLYPERFECT - 25/1
Point-to-point form and a bumper win marked him as a horse with potential and he did what was required on his hurdles debut at Hexham. The step up to 2m5f is a plus and his yard excels with staying types, but this Grade 2 demands a major leap forward. Place claims at best if several underperform.
KING'S BUCKS - 14/1
Another with point-to-point grounding, but his Rules form (second in a soft-ground bumper and fourth in a Galway maiden) leaves him with plenty to prove. He should appreciate this longer trip, yet everything about his profile suggests he is one for handicaps or quieter maiden company later on. Others are more persuasive.
MONEYGARROW - 10/1
A point and bumper winner with solid bumper form and he shaped encouragingly when third in the Persian War on his hurdles debut. He will improve for that experience, stays well and comes from a yard with an excellent record for progressing novices through the winter. More required to win, but he should not be far away.
NO DRAMA THIS END - 4/1
Bolted up in a Warwick bumper before shaping better than the result suggests in the Champion Bumper. He brings stamina from his point win, promises to relish 2m5f and his trainer holds him in high regard. He lacks recent experience but has the physical scope to improve significantly for the switch to hurdles. A major each-way player and clear danger to the selection.
WELONLYHAVEDONE - 11/2
Made a commanding start over hurdles at Galway, winning by a wide margin and looked set to follow up over 2m4f before falling at the last when still full of running. His form stacks up well, he stays strongly and the step up to 2m5f looks another positive. He is an Irish novice on the up and rates the biggest threat to our selection..
INTOSOMETHINGGOOD - 16/1
Has already won three novice events and returned to form when second at Carlisle under a penalty. He’s tough, consistent and handles softish ground, but he has limitations and his recent form suggests he will be vulnerable once the race begins to quicken from halfway. Should give his running without landing a blow at the business end.
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES' HURDLE - FINAL THOUGHTS
This year’s renewal brings together a blend of bumper talent, Irish raiders and improving stayers, but course form and proven stamina are often decisive in the Hyde/Albert Bartlett trial and Great Fleet possesses both in abundance. His second to Conman John over 3m reads very well, he shaped strongly throughout that race and the return to 2m5f is ideal. With further progress almost guaranteed, he looks ready to take this step up in his stride.
Welonlyhavedone appeals enormously as the main danger. He was travelling like a winner before falling at Galway and has the engine of a graded performer, while No Drama This End brings the power of a top stable and the physical scope to advance rapidly over hurdles. Both are entitled to play significant roles, but they may find Great Fleet just that bit further forward at this stage of the season.