Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Guide 2023

Useful runner on the flat, winning at Limerick over 1m 4f before hurdling debut at Galway in July last year, finishing third behind Esperti and Champ Kiely, who has gone on to race at grade one level (third in the Ballymore).

Has since landed grade three victory at Navan before third in grade one novice at Naas two months ago, finishing behind Irish Point and Champ Kiely again.

Step up in trip could help him as he shapes like a stayer and must not be dismissed here.

Returns after 80-day break following three hurdle wins in a row, at Thurles twice and then Limerick last time out in a grade two novice hurdle, beating Letsbeclearaboutit by four and a quarter lengths.

Arrives here having never finished outside the top four in seven runs over hurdles and im bumpers but this is a step up in company so will have to improve once again off 141.

Began over hurdles in 2020/21 before switching to chasing, which went fairly well for him, winning four of five outings over fences.

Returned to hurdling at Bangor-on-Dee in November last year, finishing last of five before falling at the last in 3m grade two novice at Haydock last month.

Overlooked here on the back of that run.

Talented eight-year-old who won three bumpers before making hurdling debut at Down Royal over 2m 6f in November last year, finishing second behind American Mike. Has since finished fourth and second in graded company before winning a maiden hurdle at 2/7fav in January at Punchestown.

Clearly has ability but stepping up in grade will be a challenge for Gavin Cromwell’s gelding.

Bumper winner at Market Rasen back in December 2021 before successful hurdling debut at Chepstow in November last year, winning by a length and a quarter. Followed that with first at Market Rasen and then Wincanton in class three and four contests.

Arrives here in good nick and can improve more but this is a tougher test.

Fourth in sole bumper at Leopardstown in March last year before first hurdle run at Navan over 2m 4f ending in narrow defeat to Willie Mullins’ Shanbally Kid by just under two lengths.

Held on to beat fellow runner Hiddenvalley Lake last time out at Clonmel last month providing promise coming into this meeting.

Has shown he can stay a longer trip and might be somewhat of a dark horse in this contest.

Bumper winner at Punchestown on debut before a few average runs leading to hurdling debut at Galway in October last year. He finished second on that occasion before opening account over obstacles at Punchestown in November, beating Sam Ewing on Bleu D’enfer by 12 lengths.

Ran well at the Dublin Racing Festival last month to finish third in a grade one novice won by Good Land before arriving here to tackle the Albert Bartlett. Unproven at this trip, however, some look like they have staying ability.

Six-year-old for Henry De Bromhead who likes this sort of trip, having won at Naas and Cork before second of five in grade three at Clonmel last month, losing out to Monty’s Star by half a length at 8/13fav.

Already boasts graded success in that Cork win and looks set to improve again stepping up in class in this year’s Albert Bartlett renewal. Tongue tie has also been attached for the first time.

Six-year-old gelding for English trainer Paul Nicholls who has finished first and second on only two hurdle starts so far coming into this contest.

Won a 2m 4f novice hurdle first time out at Newbury in November before stepping up to 3m at Doncaster in January in the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle, finishing second amongst grade two company.

Stamina is one of his best assets and the trip won’t faze him, can go well for Nicholls and Harry Cobden.

Would’ve been an unbeaten hurdler if it wasn’t for pulling up at Newbury in Grade One Challow won by Hermes Allen but bounced back from that disappointment to win class three handicap at Ascot 27 days ago.

Might be out of his depth here, with wins not coming in great company and pulling up in that grade one.

Seven-year-old who is Paul Townend’s ride for the race following first victory over hurdles at Thurles in January, beating Kilbree Warrior by a huge 35 lengths, albeit a much lesser level than this contest.

Further progress is to be made for the Willie Mullins gelding and you wouldn’t put it past Mullins to land this race.

Six-year-old winner of a bumper at Newbury on debut before first run over hurdles at this course in grade two novice won by Hermes Allen, where he finished third. Then won a maiden class two hurdle outing before disappointing last of eight in grade one novice at the DRF last month.

Struggled on that step up to grade one company and may struggle again here.

Very promising sort who has been bought by JP McManus ahead of the festival after some impressive runs over hurdles, winning all but one of his four runs.

Back-to-back wins at Limerick and Fairyhouse were followed by graded success at Naas last month to win the Johnstown Novice Hurdle by a head to Found A Fifty.

Must command respect in this contest as he bids for a fourth straight win and looks well positioned to do so.

Bumper winner at Naas before finishing fourth in the Champion Bumper here last year, finishing behind James’s Gate, American Mike and Facile Vega.

Hurdle debut came in November at Punchestown, finishing third and then second at Limerick a month later.

Only run this year came at Naas where he won a 2m 3f maiden hurdle to come here with hopes of more progress for a top yard.

Bumper winner at Clonmel before being sent over hurdles by Willie Mullins at Limerick in December, finishing fourth of 15 in a maiden hurdle.

Has since recorded first victory over hurdles at Navan in January, beating fellow runner Monty’s Star by just under two lengths.

Steps up in class here but is with a top yard and can progress more.

Easy 14-length winner at Worcester on soft ground in class four race on debut before third in the Grade One Challow at Newbury in December in testing conditions. Pulled up, however on next start at Doncaster in January after four out.

May struggle again here on the back of that run.

Five-year-old gelding for Syd Hosie who has had two runs over hurdles, finishing second behind Weveallbeencaught over 2m 4f.

Followed that with victory at 13/2 in grade two outing here last time out in January, again over 2m 4f, beating Pembroke in the process.

Looks like the sort who can continue to improve and should not be dismissed.

Winner on only bumper start at Wexford before being sent over hurdles by Gordon Elliott, winning at Galway on debut.

Third in first graded outing at Navan in November before second to Inthepocket at Naas a month later.

Went off as 8/11fav in novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in January, beating Spanish Harlem by 12 lengths to earn slight favouritism here and is expected to run a big race for Elliott in the Albert Bartlett.

Successful in sole bumper at Galway before winning on hurdle debut at the same course over 2m 6f.

Fell in his next race before sixth of eight at Naas in graded company over 2m 3f, where Champ Kiely edged out Irish Point.
Looks set for another struggle in this company.

Won sole bumper at Fairyhouse in November last year before hurdling debut at Leopardstown a month later, finishing third of 12 over 2m 4f.

Followed that with third in grade three novice hurdle at Clonmel last month before heading here.
Was behind Monty’s Star and Hiddenvalley Lake there and has work to do to compete in this race.