December 16 / 15.00 Cheltenham

15.00

Soft

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 2m 7f 213y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£200,000 buy after winning a 3m soft-ground Irish point last December with the minimum of fuss; 2-9 for six-runner novice hurdle at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) last month and made all, asserting by 7l with another 21l back to the third; that form and striking promise give him a big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Shanagh Bob

12st 6lb

J: Mr Nick Oliver

T: Henry Oliver

C&D match last May (good, RPR 128) gave him his only chase win to date; habit of jumping right too great to ignore since, including when twice second in points lately, so a return to a clockwise track is timely.

14/1

9th

3

27th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

15:07 Uttoxeter

Shanagh Bob

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Didn't reach the heights he once promised for Nicky Henderson but still fetched £43,000 at the sales and made a reasonable debut for this yard at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good; first-time cheekpieces) when behind Art Of Diplomacy; clearly needs to find something on that run.

12/1

1

13th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

18:45 Newton Abbot

Shanagh Bob

11st 10lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Arguably didn't fulfil his potential for Nicky Henderson, having won a Grade 2 novice hurdle in 2023, and was sold for £43,000 after winning two-runner chase at Ludlow (3m, good) last month; remains on a workable mark for this stable debut, though, and might be aided by the new tongue-tie.

3/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -31211 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Has raced only on good ground or good to soft; 3-5 over hurdles, firmly in charge with cheekpieces at Kempton on last two outings; the latest was over 3m on handicap debut, in just a five-runner race but that's the best form in this line-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Destroytheevidence

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Took the notable scalp of Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season and ran well afterwards, including a near miss in this race; poor the last twice (heavy/soft) when tried in a visor but the cheekpieces that have worked well for him are now back on; much respected.

7/2

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Destroytheevidence

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Beat Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season and mostly ran well afterwards; seems back in fair form, as he went close at Ludlow and ran a lot better than a 21l defeat may suggest when visored for the first time at Wincanton (3m2f); that was his first time on heavy ground and it looked a factor in him getting so tired late on; one to consider.

12/1

3rd

3

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:37 Wincanton

Destroytheevidence

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Beat Haiti Couleurs on his chase debut last season when Isaac Des Obeaux was further back and mostly ran well afterwards; probably needed his first race of the season and he stuck to his task to go down by only a length at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); gives the impression he'll stay all day and a visor could work (replacing cheekpieces; looked lazy at times on that final run).

3/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -15U23

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
2m6f maiden at Cartmel in May is his only win from six races over hurdles; some Irish form reads well, though, including when ridden prominently over 2m4f (soft) and 2m7f (yielding to soft) last two starts and he rallied well last time as if another crack at 3m is very much in order; also now wears cheekpieces; strong each-way contender for trainer who won this in 2020.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

9

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Moon Dorange

10st 8lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

Inconsistent chaser who's saved his best for Cheltenham in 2025 and 2026, including a win (his only handicap success) in January 2025 and third at the Festival this March; both were over an extended 2m4f and he's shown his form only once from seven attempts under rules over 3m+; not the percentage call.

16/1

7th

9

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Moon Dorange

10st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

9lb higher when beaten 3.5l by Riskintheground 12 months ago; 0-10 in the meantime but the new visor worked well when a never-nearer third in the Plate at Cheltenham last month and clear claims if he can back that up.

9/1

3rd

22

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Moon Dorange

10st 2lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: John C McConnell

Pulled up in the 2m4f novice handicap here last March but that was out of character as he had won over that C&D the time before and generally has a good track record; not much of a force this season, though, and he doesn't look in enough form to take advantage of a weights drop; often wears headgear, first-time visor today.

50/1

Form: 1

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £115,000 in May, having won an Irish point (3m, soft to heavy); second favourite in five-runner novice at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) five weeks ago, travelling best to lead two out before holding off Cadell (gave 7lb); others have better form but he looks very promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Kerryhill

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ruth Jefferson

Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Doncaster (3m, good) last January and he's had wind surgery since being pulled up here in November on his only run this season; he's a lightly raced 7yo who retains potential but a leap of improvement is needed and it's hard to be confident after last time.

25/1

Form: 3-13

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner who prevailed narrowly in a maiden at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October on hurdles debut; third of seven at Warwick (2m5f, soft) was better form and he's worth a go at 3m; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Yes Day

11st 5lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Both wins over fences came in March 2025; his season never took off last term and he arrives here on a career-low mark (11lb below last win); first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces; needs to show more.

8/1

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Yes Day

11st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

He's now 13lb below his peak mark but hasn't been at his best this season and didn't show much when back on good ground (3m) three weeks ago; won over 3m7f last March but there may be more solid options.

14/1

8th

5

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Yes Day

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

He hasn't been at his best this season but he didn't run badly in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Sandown (3m, soft) recently and could build on that now back on better ground, with last season's two wins coming on good/good to firm; now 6lb below last winning mark; interesting.

8/1

Form: 36-3

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Harry Fry after wide-margin Irish point win in April 2022; rather disappointing on soft ground in his second bumper but better when staying-on third of nine in maiden hurdle at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; needs further improvement but he does look like a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Carrigmoorna Rowan

11st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Ryan Potter

Became disappointing for Harry Fry; competitive form over hurdles and fences for current yard but he bled three runs back and couldn't hang in there at Exeter (2m3f, good) last time; continues to drop down the weights but he's now 0-8 over fences and is untried at this trip.

8/1

5th

3

7th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

16:10 Exeter

Carrigmoorna Rowan

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ryan Potter

Became disappointing for Harry Fry; competitive form over hurdles and fences for current yard but bled two runs back and then ran no race at Bangor.

5/1

5th

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Carrigmoorna Rowan

12st 0lb

J: Robbie David

T: Ryan Potter

Became disappointing for Harry Fry but has performed respectably over hurdles and fences for current yard; bled when he failed to give his running last time in a handicap chase; won't mind returning to this trip.

6/1

OUR TIP

11/2

Form: 212 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Dual point winner who made a winning debut over hurdles at Kelso (2m5f) in October; Kerryhill travelled much more sweetly when they clashed at the same track (2m6f, good to soft; unraced on worse) five weeks ago but this one gave 7lb and rallied strongly to go down by three-quarters of a length; in the picture, with this longer trip likely to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Cadell

12st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Made all in first-time blinkers over C&D (good to soft) in November, his third course win, but was pulled up on all three subsequent outings and needs switch to first-time visor to provoke another resurgence.

12/1

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Cadell

12st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won this last year and scored again here in November when in first-time blinkers (good to soft); however, he's on a tough mark and has become all or nothing; races prominently.

14/1

2

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Cadell

11st 11lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won at Kelso (3m2f) last March and first-time blinkers (retained since) prompted a career-best performance when he scored under Jack Power at same track (2m7f) in November; however, those are the only times he ran well last year, while he was pulled up in this race and also when trying 4m on soft ground at Kelso on latest outing; others look more solid.

12/1

Form: 45-54

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point winner (April 2022) who has drawn a blank in two bumpers and two hurdle races; after wind surgery, his hurdles form (2m3f/2m6f) has shown him in a more positive light and it looks as if 3m may suit, but others have accomplished more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Genietoile

10st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Low-mileage 8yo who fell at first fence on penultimate outing but was placed in other two chases this season, more recently when second of 16 behind progressive rival at Chepstow (2m7f, soft; refitted tongue-tie) in January; up in grade here but still a likely contender.

4/1

2nd

3

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

Genietoile

12st 1lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Rebecca Curtis

Low-mileage 8yo who was placed here (2m3f, good to soft) on seasonal debut in November; fell at first fence on latest outing but could still have significant potential over staying trips; high on the list.

8/1

2nd

3

15th Jan 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

13:07 Hereford

Genietoile

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Irish maiden point winner; 0-5 under rules but fair efforts in two hurdles behind respected opposition (2m3f/2m5f) before struggling in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (16-1); needs a second look at this level.

9/2

Form: 2-4

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for easy winner in bumper at Warwick (soft) in March and beaten 19l when fourth of 12 in novice hurdle there (2m3f, soft) in November; should do better at some point but has easily the worst form in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Monbari

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

11-race maiden; emerged from spell in the doldrums with respectable fourth here (2m3f, heavy) in February, but was safely held over that trip on good ground at Chepstow last month; back up to 3m today; others look safer.

10/1

8th

4

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

15:30 Ffos Las

Monbari

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

11-race maiden; emerged from spell in the doldrums with respectable fourth here (2m3f, heavy) in February, but was safely held over that trip on good ground at Chepstow last month; back up to 3m today; others look safer.

10/1

7th

1

16th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:47 Chepstow

Monbari

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Good to see him complete last time and was only about 6l off the winner at Ffos Las (2m3f, heavy), where dropping back in trip helped; now 2lb lower than when a close second over hurdles here last April; may prefer softer ground but interesting otherwise.

8/1

Form: 2 BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bought for £100,000 after winning an Irish point (3m, heavy) in March; 10-11 for eight-runner maiden hurdle at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft) last month and made much of the running before going down by a nose; winner boosted the form when second in a 2m handicap last week, whereas this 5yo looks a promising sort moving up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 5

16:03 Wincanton

Illico De Cotte

12st 2lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Will Biddick

Lightly raced gelding who did well in handicap chases last season for Dan Skelton before losing his way; beaten in two points for current yard and he'll need more here; has won on heavy.

4/1

3

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Illico De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Scored by 8l on seasonal/chase debut at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) in October and was placed over 3m on next two outings; finished very weakly when upped to 3m5f at Warwick last month, which is a concern, but could plausibly still have untapped potential over marathon trips.

10/1

3

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Illico De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Scored by 8l on seasonal/chase debut at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) in October and was placed over 3m on next two outings; finished very weakly when upped to 3m5f at Warwick last month, which is a concern, but could plausibly still have untapped potential over marathon trips.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.70
Straight Forecast £9.07
Tricast £63.15
Trifecta £76.40

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Shanagh Bob

Telegraph:

Cadell

RP RATINGS:

Destroytheevidence

WEST COUNTRY:

Yes Day

The Star:

Kerryhill

SPOTLIGHT:

Moon D'Orange

The Guardian:

Cadell

D Express:

Cadell

The Sun:

Cadell

POSTDATA:

Shanagh Bob

LAMBOURN:

Shanagh Bob

The Times:

Shanagh Bob

Daily Record:

Shanagh Bob

Daily Mail:

Destroytheevidence

Daily Mirror:

Destroytheevidence