Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Guide 2022

Twice a runner over hurdles, Falcon Eight won on his last outing at Thurles, looking rather workmanlike in the process.

He did prove that he stays though, but raised more concerns about his jumping fluency.

He's well bred and was rated 111 on the flat which is relatively high for a flat horse turned hurdler. In with a squeak but likely to find this too hot.

Idas Boy is a solid enough performer, having never been out of the first 4 under rules. He often finds one or two too good though, and doesn't seem to be a strong finisher.

He was a good second to the classy Gerri Colombe last time out at Thurles and reversed the form with Churchstonewarrior (3rd) in the process.

On an upward curve but doesn't look anywhere near the ability to trouble these yet.

A winner over 3m in his P2P though he's yet to race this far under rules.

He won his last start at Punchestown over 2m4f on soft to heavy ground. Stamina looked his bag that day and he ran out a ready winner to The Waltzer back in second.

He does have a tendency to make mistakes, so he'll need to improve on his jumping, but he's clearly got a big engine. Hard to entirely rule out for trainer Willie Mullins though this test might be beyond him at this stage.

Green Book is an experienced horse with good form to his name, he won a competitive G3 handicap at Sandown two starts ago, battling well to win from some smart rivals.

He then failed to build on that when finishing 4th of 7 and last of the finishers. This was against Hillcrest at Haydock.

He tracked Hillcrest on the front end for two and a half miles and cried enough rather tamely and dropped away off
the relentless gallop.

Lots to prove now.

A Golden Horn gelding who's gone from strength to strength. He actually ran on Arc day last year so is a relatively new recruit to the NH scene.

He got off the mark over hurdles when winning a novice at Hereford that's worked out ok. He then won a G2 over 2m5f on soft ground when jumping well and keeping on strongly.

He's likely to find a few too good here though.

An experienced horse over hurdles, Good Time Johnny is 3/10 over hurdles - winning the last twice.

He's clearly on an upward trajectory, winning two valuable, competitive handicap hurdles at
Leopardstown. He's won over the trip and he's likely to be rather streetwise thanks to his vast experience, which might turn out to be valuable here.

Up against it in terms of class but battle-hardened.

Could go well.

Dissapointing last time out in the Nathaniel Lacy G1 at the DRF, finishing a well beaten last of seven.

He didn't jump with fluency at all there and struggled to go with the pace of the race. He does seem to enjoy some cut in the ground and will be better on softer ground.

The going looks key to him but even if he gets his ground, he's still lots to make up with the market principals.

A winner over the course and the trip, Bardenstown Lad represents some solid form. He won an uncompetitive novice hurdle at Musselburgh by 11L last time out which looked like a run to blow away the cobwebs.

He ran in late October prior to that here beating Dragon Bones and Onagatheringstorm, in a race that's working out well. He is unexposed and could be a good horse in time.

There's a chance this test might just be too much at this stage in his career though.

Each way claims?

Totally unexposed, winning 3/4 P2P's and finishing 3rd over course and distance in his first start under rules in a G2 behind Blazing Khal.

He got his head in front last time out at Lingfield on heavy ground, beating High Stakes and Fameaftertheglory, which is solid form.

He is a nice horse and his trainer Dan Skelton seems to like him. A lively
outsider.

Winner of the G2 River Don last time out over 3m on good ground, he beat The Real Whacker by a comfortable 2L there. Prior to that, he won an uncompetitive maiden hurdle at Sedgefield by 14L to Betty Baloo won since).

He could well be an each way player, he might just prove venerable to a few classier individuals though.

His second to Bardenstown Lad last time out reads well, though, he was
soundly beaten.

Prior to that he won a 2m5f maiden hurdle on heavy ground at Tramore, where the front pair pulled 15L clear.

He looks to be up against it, but he's nicely bred and represents top connections.

An expensive purchase, Classic Getaway has won 3/4 including a P2P. He was beaten in heavy ground over 2m3f by the smart Cash Back with the two pulling 85L clear of the rest. He won his next start at 1/3f by 4L beating moderate horses in workmanlike fashion.

He's always looked as if he's wanted a trip, (won P2P at 3m) and he's clearly classy. He'll have to improve significantly to win this though, each way claims.

Unbeaten over hurdles for Gordon Elliot, latterly taking the G1 Lawlor's Of Naas in good style. Prior to that he bolted up in a G2 at Navan beating Eric Bloodaxe by 11L.

He boasts some of the strongest form in this field and his trainer holds him in the highest regard. The step up in trip should suit him as he won his P2P over 3m by 12L, although he's not raced this far under rules.

Likely to be in warm order for this, he's definitely a huge player.

Unbeaten in two bumpers and one start over hurdles. The Nice Guy is an interesting horse for Willie Mullins. He won last time out over hurdles by 8L to The Short Go with a further 4L back to Ramillies.

He's totally unexposed in contrast to today's rivals and really could be anything.

He's well bred and should stay, although this represents a big step up in trip. Hard to discount.

A proven stayer Brorson won a class 3 handicap at Southwell without breaking a sweat two starts ago. He then raced in a Pertemps qualifier finishing third to The Big Galloper and Wakool, which looks moderate form.

He'll need to up his game significantly here against very classy, G1 performers.

Minella Cocooner was an all the way winner for Willie Mullins last time out in the G1 Nathaniel Lacy at the DRF. He impressed with his quick, accurate jumping and cruising speed.

He's done nothing wrong in his career to date and looks a smart horse. He will have rivals on the front end here but he has proven versatile with regards position.

Looks solid.

Impressive last time out taking a Clonmel G3 in ready fashion, he's 2/2 at the distance and looks a dour stayer. Lots to like about his constitution as he looks fairly game and he tends to jump well.

However, is he as classy as some of those at the top of the market?

This race has been won by horses who can grind it out from the front in the past, so he's definite claims.

Unbeaten over hurdles when completing, (one soft unseat) Hillcrest is going from strength to strength for Henry Daly. Proven at the distance, he took the a Haydock G2 in relentless fashion on taxing
ground last time out.

Green Book tracked Hillcrest on the front end until the third last hurdle, and Green Book fell right away off the
fast pace whereas Hillcrest kept on galloping.

He looks an out and out stayer and this big horse could get them all at it. Should be bang there.

1/2 over hurdles, The Real Whacker is totally unexposed. He won his first outing beating ordinary horses over 3m1f on soft ground.

He backed up that effort by finishing a cracking second to Mahler Mission in the River Don G2 at Doncaster on good ground, which was a big step up in class.

He proved versatile ground wise and a certain stayer. Perhaps might find this too hot but he's a nice horse.