February 15 / 15.50 Haydock

15.50

Good To Soft

Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £39865
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 1-11 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
All his races have been on soft/heavy; made it 4-4 when winning warm 3m novice hurdle at Windsor last month, digging deep to beat a previous Listed winner; in good hands to continue to progress and holds leading claims under a 3lb penalty if handling the forecast good to soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

26th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Derryhassen Paddy

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Successful in heavy-ground Irish point 11 weeks ago, beating a rival who has since gone very close in a bumper; granddam scored in this sphere; wears tongue-tie; interesting contender.

11/4

Form: 32-31

Last run: 126 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in all three bumpers (heavy/good) and won on hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, soft) in October, pulling clear with Wendigo who has since finished second in a Grade 1; the Hexham form probably shouldn't be taken literally (Wendigo was making his seasonal/hurdle debut) but it was certainly a promising run and he's bred to stay this much longer trip; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Battle Born Lad

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Fended off subsequent Grade 1 runner-up Wendigo to make all on hurdling debut at Hexham (2m, soft; front pair clear) in October and again dominated from the front when upped to 3m for Haydock Grade 2 in February (good to soft); may not be entirely straightforward but could take some catching.

11/2

2

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Battle Born Lad

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Fended off subsequent Grade 1 runner-up Wendigo to make all on hurdling debut at Hexham (2m, soft; front pair clear) in October and again dominated from the front when upped to 3m for Haydock Grade 2 in February (good to soft); may not be entirely straightforward but could take some catching.

11/2

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

15:50 Haydock

Battle Born Lad

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Placed in all three bumpers (heavy/good) and won on hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, soft) in October, pulling clear with Wendigo who has since finished second in a Grade 1; the Hexham form probably shouldn't be taken literally (Wendigo was making his seasonal/hurdle debut) but it was certainly a promising run and he's bred to stay this much longer trip; interesting.

10/1

Form: -93923

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
0-9 over hurdles and this is a tough race in which to try to break his duck, but he stayed on well to finish third of 16 when upped to 2m4f in a handicap at Punchestown (soft) last month, and further improvement is possible now tackling a staying trip; this Irish raider has an each-way shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

11

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Bright Legend

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Flat winner is 1-17 over hurdles, the win coming in a Sedgefield maiden on latest (2m4f, good); previously proved no match for Laughing John in a handicap at Wincanton and work to do to turn that form around in new headgear.

20/1

1st

1

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:10 Sedgefield

Bright Legend

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

A fairly useful maiden hurdler/chaser for Denis Hogan; went too keenly on his first three outings for his current yard but bounced back to form when (refitted with tongue strap) third of 15 in 2m4f Wincanton handicap 35 days ago; the clear form pick back in maiden company; headgear retained.

5/4

3rd

7

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

15:20 Wincanton

Bright Legend

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

0-15 over hurdles and needs to produce more than he's managed this term; however, his reduced mark appeals on his useful form up to last March and Harry Cobden is 4-9 this season for Faye Bramley, whose stable is in good form; no surprise to see a bold show now back in a handicap.

10/1

Form: 9/P-34 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Became somewhat disappointing after very promising start to chasing career but took step back in the right direction when fourth of five over fences at Ayr (3m, soft) in January; had a lofty mark in that handicap and he might not be far away now back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Gold Cup Bailly

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Showed that he retained spark when fourth of five at Ayr (3m, soft) in January, when he made a bad mistake and jumped to the right at that left-handed track; goes right-handed today; however, tailed off in Grade 2 novice hurdle since and best form has come on soft/heavy going; a visor goes on.

20/1

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Gold Cup Bailly

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

dwelt start, in rear, not fluent 1st, struggling 4 out

20/1

Form: 41631

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Irish bumper winner who won a maiden hurdle at Hexham (2m4f, soft) in December on his third run for this yard; impressed on that occasion and has shown staying potential but others have a lot more substance to their form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Joecooker

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-6 over fences but gave very good account when third in valuable series final over C&D (good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has been dropped 1lb since; big player if new headgear continues to help.

5/1

3rd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Joecooker

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Placed twice in a row in December (2m4f/2m3f, soft/good to soft) and had an excuse (hampered) at Newcastle in January; heavy ground may have been against him here last time and he's not discounted now in cheekpieces.

10/1

4th

5

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Joecooker

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Placed off this mark in two handicap chases in December (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft); hampered four out when fifth of seven to Moon Phases at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last time; might not be far away.

6/1

Form: 112 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Point winner who was 2-2 over hurdles prior to going very close in a Grade 2 novice at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; major player on that latest form and there's every chance he'll continue to improve.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Moon Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Chasing this season and it started well enough, but heavy defeats on his last two starts (Grade 2/Cheltenham handicap) have prompted this return to hurdles; also has smart form in this discipline so it could be an inspired move; second run after wind surgery and in a tongue-tie.

13/2

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Moon Rocket

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Campaigned mainly over 3m; form dipped in Grade 2 most recently; had wind surgery since and now goes in tongue-tie; comfortably beat his three rivals at Doncaster (chase debut; good to soft) in sole handicap attempt and although this is a stiffer assignment he's interesting from a pedigree angle, being related to Tully East who won this corresponding race in 2017.

50/1

6th

6

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Moon Rocket

11st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Runner-up twice at Grade 2 level over hurdles; sound performances at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) switched to chasing this term, comfortably winning a handicap then beaten only half a length by sole rival in follow-up attempt; remains of interest, with further progress still plausible.

3/1

Form: 41

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner (3m, good) who kept on for a creditable fourth behind Derryhassen Paddy on his hurdle debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in November before winning easily at Lingfield (2m3f, soft); goes up in grade today but he's a useful prospect who could be suited by a staying trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

14:40 Perth

Roaring Conquest

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

A winner the last time he contested a Class 3 handicap (on reappearance) and he was boxing on when beaten a little under 10l in a deep Uttoxeter handicap last time out (2m7f, soft); looks sure to stay this far and has the assistance of Sean Bowen.

6/1

6th

8

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Roaring Conquest

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Heavy ground possibly contributed to his dip in form last time; ties in with Nab Wood on Carlisle running but both of them face a stiffer assignment in this field; gained reappearance win in lower grade.

16/1

5

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Roaring Conquest

11st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Irish maiden point winner who also scored on handicap debut at Windsor (3m, good to soft; five ran) in November; creditable third of six at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) three weeks later, showing that he needs marked improvement off the same mark today, but these are relatively early days.

7/1

Non-runners

Derryhassen Paddy, Grand Geste, Keplers Law

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Derryhassen Paddy

RP RATINGS:

Moon Rocket

Daily Mail:

Kepler's Law

TOPSPEED:

Bright Legend

POSTDATA:

Moon Rocket

WEST COUNTRY:

Moon Rocket

The Sun:

Moon Rocket

THE NORTH:

Derryhassen Paddy

The Times:

Derryhassen Paddy

Telegraph:

Derryhassen Paddy

The Guardian:

Derryhassen Paddy

D Express:

Derryhassen Paddy

Daily Mirror:

Derryhassen Paddy

The Star:

Derryhassen Paddy

Daily Record:

Derryhassen Paddy