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

6

12th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Shanagh Bob

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Recruited for £200,000 after winning his Irish point; did what was expected of him when long odds-on at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) and, for one so inexperienced, it was a notable effort to win a Cheltenham 3m Grade 2 in December (soft) when a muddling pace did him no favours; does nothing in a hurry but that should be no drawback here; absent since December and his yard has been through the wringer since early March, but he's packed with potential.

9/2

4th

6

12th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Shanagh Bob

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Recruited for £200,000 after winning his Irish point; did what was expected of him when long odds-on at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) and, for one so inexperienced, it was a notable effort to win a Cheltenham 3m Grade 2 in December (soft) when a muddling pace did him no favours; does nothing in a hurry but that should be no drawback here; absent since December and his yard has been through the wringer since early March, but he's packed with potential.

9/2

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

2nd

1

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

13:40 Newbury

Destroytheevidence

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

Justified favouritism at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last month in a novice handicap chase that his stable landed a year earlier with the subsequently smart Chianti Classico; bright prospect who could well defy a 5lb rise.

11/8

2nd

1

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

13:40 Newbury

Destroytheevidence

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

Justified favouritism at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last month in a novice handicap chase that his stable landed a year earlier with the subsequently smart Chianti Classico; bright prospect who could well defy a 5lb rise.

11/8

1st

3

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

16:25 Chepstow

Destroytheevidence

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey

Smart novice hurdler last season, winning his first two races in the cheekpieces before finishing second in a 3m Grade 2 at Cheltenham in December; signed off on a low note but brings plenty of potential to fences and the stable's winner of this 12 months ago (Chianti Classico) had a similar profile.

6/1

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

3rd

4

26th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Cheltenham

Moon Dorange

11st 2lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

in touch with leaders, went fourth 9th, went third omitted last, weakened final 110yds

5/1

3rd

5

16th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 136y

16:55 Punchestown

Moon Dorange

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: John C McConnell

Maiden hurdle winner for this yard was third in a Grade 2 Cheltenham 3m novice; added a Market Rasen novice for Fergal O'Brien but disappointed next time; back with this yard for chasing debut; was third in a point two year's ago; might find this trip sharp.

11/1

13th

8

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Moon Dorange

10st 13lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced wide, in touch with leaders, smooth headway 3 out

7/1

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

1st

7

27th Jan 2024

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 1

14:40 Doncaster

Kerryhill

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

midfield, headway 3 out, led going easily before 2 out, shaken up and wandered around before 2 out, ridden clear run-in

7/1

4th

6

16th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

Kerryhill

11st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Ruth Jefferson

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.

9/1

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

3rd

2

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Warwick

Yes Day

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Good third in a Class 2 at Haydock on his handicap hurdle debut and that's solid form; disappointed at Wetherby after wind surgery (and tongue tied; now left off) but there's a big run in him off this mark now sent chasing (winning pointer).

7/2

3rd

2

5th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:00 Warwick

Yes Day

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Good third in a Class 2 at Haydock on his handicap hurdle debut and that's solid form; disappointed at Wetherby after wind surgery (and tongue tied; now left off) but there's a big run in him off this mark now sent chasing (winning pointer).

7/2

7th

1

28th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:55 Wetherby

Yes Day

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won on hurdle debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) last October and consistent in defeat since, most recently a good third at Haydock (3m, heavy) in his first handicap; has had wind op since and wears first-time tongue-tie; drops back down in grade and this lightly raced 6yo is one to consider.

4/1

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

5th

1

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

13:40 Cartmel

Carrigmoorna Rowan

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Harry Fry

Won his maiden here (2m4f, good to soft) when tongue tied for the first time and was still travelling with some purpose when coming down three out at Ffos Las (2m6f); open to further progress and features prominently in calculations.

9/4

1

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 192y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Carrigmoorna Rowan

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Harry Fry

Delivered on earlier promise when winning Market Rasen maiden (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) last month; the bare form isn't anything to go wild about but he's open to further progress and features prominently in calculations here.

6/1

1

7th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 192y

Class 4

14:25 Ffos Las

Carrigmoorna Rowan

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Harry Fry

Delivered on earlier promise when winning Market Rasen maiden (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) last month; the bare form isn't anything to go wild about but he's open to further progress and features prominently in calculations here.

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

1st

1

1st Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Cadell

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

made all, not fluent 5th, going best before 4 out, good jump and went clear 3 out, went further clear but not fluent last, pushed out run-in, easily

3/1

1st

1

1st Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

13:15 Wetherby

Cadell

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

made all, not fluent 5th, going best before 4 out, good jump and went clear 3 out, went further clear but not fluent last, pushed out run-in, easily

3/1

3rd

4

26th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

13:52 Perth

Cadell

10st 13lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Beat Dripsey Moon by just under 4l in a 2m5f novice hurdle at Kelso nearly a year ago, after which he contested a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (well held) in between two seconds in further novices; failed to give his running in a handicap the final time; wasn't the most fluent of hurdlers but fences could be the making of him.

4/1

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

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

8th

4

16th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

Genietoile

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

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.

25/1

4th

2

25th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 2

12:55 Ascot

Genietoile

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

prominent, outpaced 2 out, kept on run-in

16/1

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

12

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

14:22 Bangor-on-Dee

Monbari

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Inconsistent so far; went close in a Chepstow handicap hurdle (2m3f, soft) in first-time cheekpieces but tailed off next time and now goes chasing with no headgear; others look safer propositions.

20/1

12

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

14:22 Bangor-on-Dee

Monbari

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Inconsistent so far; went close in a Chepstow handicap hurdle (2m3f, soft) in first-time cheekpieces but tailed off next time and now goes chasing with no headgear; others look safer propositions.

20/1

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

1st

1

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 34y

Class 4

14:55 Carlisle

Illico De Cotte

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won a maiden hurdle at Hereford (3m1f, soft) in February and is also effective on good to soft ground; he's the only chasing newcomer in the field but is in top hands and won an Irish maiden point in March 2023, so could improve for the switch to fences; reappears having had a wind op.

15/8

3rd

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Illico De Cotte

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no match for first two

9/2

3rd

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Illico De Cotte

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, prominent, outpaced 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no match for first two

9/2

+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