November 15 / 15.30 Cheltenham

15.30

Good

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

  • Prize money: £31322.5
  • 2m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 5 runners
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Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/6 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1-11 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Irish point runner-up and then won a Ffos Las bumper; 2-2 over hurdles (2m4f), beating a subsequent chase winner at Worcester (soft) and following up on good ground here last month at the expense of an unexposed Irish challenger (pair clear); that was more workmanlike than spectacular but he surely has more to offer when connections seemingly think the world of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Potters Charm

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Acts on any ground; the freshest contender in this race, having bypassed the Cheltenham Festival and been absent since landing the National Spirit at Fontwell (2m3f) over six weeks ago when taking hurdles record to 7-11; sole attempt at Aintree resulted in a Grade 1 novice success on Boxing Day 2024; likely to go well.

14/1

1st

1

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Potters Charm

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Smart novice (Grade 1 winner on soft) at up to 2m5f last season; early faller on reappearance in November before 8l third in Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle (2m3f, good to soft); outstayed when fourth in Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) the following month but got back on the scoresheet when taking a classy Windsor conditions hurdle (2m4f, soft; career-best form) last month; key player despite a half penalty for the Grade 1 win.

8/13

6/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 24-111 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Talented in bumpers (fourth in Aintree's Grade 2) and made it 3-3 over hurdles with a most impressive display at about 2m here three weeks ago (on good), where he set a solid pace up front before quickening clear to beat Gale Mahler without breaking sweat; there's no reason to believe he was remotely flattered; up in trip but already a winner over an extended 2m3f; exciting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Ayr

Valgrand

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Easily made all in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) last October and he's on a handy mark on that form; it's possible he'll get back on track at some stage but he's finished down the field in all three handicaps, most recently the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, and has something to prove.

7/1

11

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Ayr

Valgrand

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Easily made all in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) last October and he's on a handy mark on that form; it's possible he'll get back on track at some stage but he's finished down the field in all three handicaps, most recently the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, and has something to prove.

7/1

15th

12

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Valgrand

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Easily made all in Grade 2 novice here in October (2m, good; has also won on soft); weakened when 11l second in 2m5f Grade 2 here next time; down the field since in his first two handicaps (2m1f/2m, good to soft) but a break may have helped this lightly raced 6yo and he's the sole representative of Dan Skelton, who has won four of the last nine runnings; not discounted.

8/1

Form: 111112 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
After showing huge improvement in winning six on the spin she was sent off at odds-on here three weeks ago, only to be comprehensively put in her place by Valgrand; some imagination is needed to envisage her reversing that 17l deficit, even over this longer distance (has won over a tad shorter) and having a 5lb pull at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:50 Kempton

Gale Mahler

10st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Successful once during a spell over fences that ended poorly; two attempts back over hurdles represent no improvement on previous form in this sphere; difficult task in this field, despite receiving weight all round.

22/1

7th

2

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Gale Mahler

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Won over fences at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in June and ran well when back over hurdles there (2m4f, good) this month; remains on a workable mark and is 2-2 at this track; shortlisted.

16/1

5th

2

11th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:05 Uttoxeter

Gale Mahler

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

Might have won over fences here in June but for a bad late mistake (2m4f, good) but, while her Grade 3 assignment at Galway can be forgiven, she was never at the races last time at Perth; could appreciate returning to hurdles and her mark is fine.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran a bit better in a 2m good-ground novice at Wetherby than a 21l defeat may imply but this still looks a big ask on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Grandads Cap

10st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: L J Morgan

Low-mileage 6yo scored easily on just his second run over fences at Market Rasen (3m) in February but he proved a big letdown under a 7lb penalty at Leicester (2m4f) 11 days later; possibly found that run coming too quickly so shouldn't be written off.

6/1

5th

1

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Grandads Cap

12st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: L J Morgan

Lightly raced 6yo, who made it second time lucky over fences with an easy win in a Market Rasen handicap (3m, soft) 11 days ago; 3lb well in under a penalty for that success and he has plenty of scope for further progress on this drop back in trip; strong contender.

4/7

1st

1

1st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

13:47 Market Rasen

Grandads Cap

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: L J Morgan

Low-mileage 6yo who made promising chase debut at Catterick (2m3f, good) just after Christmas, staying on well for third; moves back up in trip here and has plenty of scope for improvement; must be considered.

5/2

Form: 6-1431

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Hurdling career has been something of a roller coaster but it was a career best in beating a subsequent Ludlow winner on her step up to Chepstow's extended 2m3f last month (soft; won on good), and the tongue-tie was a new addition that day; steps on to a bigger stage here and may come up short.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 110y

16:50 Wexford

Rockstown Girl

11st 5lb

J: Conor Brassil

T: Anthony McCann

Three wins over hurdles; fair bit of experience over fences and was second of 16 in C&D handicap in April; had In The Trenches behind when third to a smart mare at Kilbeggan and latest hurdling third was fine; new rider aboard.

7/1

3rd

8

14th Jun 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 2f 185y

14:50 Downpatrick

Rockstown Girl

10st 13lb

J: James Smith

T: Anthony McCann

Tough sort gained third hurdles win in March when scoring over 2m4f at Down Royal; placed twice over fences since; first visit to this track.

7/1

3rd

13

15th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 90y

19:05 Kilbeggan

Rockstown Girl

11st 5lb

J: James Smith

T: Anthony McCann

Gained third hurdles victory when landing handicap off 100 at Down Royal in March; good effort off same mark over fences when 3.5l second to Butty O Brien at Wexford 35 days ago; needs improvement back in a beginners', but in good form.

14/1

Non-runners

Wildfell

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.20
Straight Forecast £3.67
Trifecta £4.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Valgrand

RP RATINGS:

Potters Charm

TOPSPEED:

Gale Mahler

WEST COUNTRY:

Potters Charm

Telegraph:

Potters Charm

Daily Mail:

Potters Charm

Daily Record:

Potters Charm

POSTDATA:

Valgrand

The Times:

Valgrand

The Guardian:

Valgrand

D Express:

Valgrand

Daily Mirror:

Valgrand

The Sun:

Valgrand

The Star:

Valgrand