February 17 / 16.25 Haydock

16.25

Heavy

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

  • Prize money: £31322.5
  • 3m 0f 58y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £13.60
  • Place: £3.70

Form: 89F1

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who looked set to win maiden hurdle at Limerick (2m3f, heavy) in December only to fall two out, and he made amends in good style at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago; represents a top Irish trainer and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie; he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Now Is The Hour

11st 7lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Second-season novice who has improved significantly of late, winning Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park (3m1f handicap, heavy) in January; something of a fortunate winner that day and needs to improve again.

40/1

1st

13

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

15:30 Gowran Park

Now Is The Hour

11st 1lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Gavin Cromwell

Grade 2 winner over hurdles; 0-9 over fences but might have given Haiti Couleurs something to think about in the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham had he not come down two out; no show in the Irish National; good third to Final Demand in Navan beginners' on return; only midfield in the 3m5f Porterstown before a better effort when fourth in the Paddy Power.

9/1

15

21st Apr 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 5f 37y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Now Is The Hour

10st 13lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

2023 point winner; won a 3m Grade 2 novice hurdle on heavy at Haydock last season; shaped promisingly on fourth chase start, when not far off today's rival Kinturk Kalanisi and subsequent Scottish National winner Captain Cody at Navan; around two lengths off Haiti Couleurs when falling at the second-last at Cheltenham; a leading contender.

6/1

25/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 2/1232

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 9yo who was a good second of 16 in mares' handicap at Newbury (3m, soft) last month; others here may have greater potential but, with the handy 7lb allowance she receives from the males, that latest performance reads pretty well; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 213y

16:50 Punchestown

Dont Rightly Know

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Polly Gundry

unruly at the post, led narrowly 1st, headed and raced in second halfway, briefly disputed lead 5 out, weakened from 2 out

50/1

5th

9

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 213y

16:50 Punchestown

Dont Rightly Know

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Polly Gundry

unruly at the post, led narrowly 1st, headed and raced in second halfway, briefly disputed lead 5 out, weakened from 2 out

50/1

8

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Dont Rightly Know

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Polly Gundry

Front-running 10yo who has to defy the stats as only two veterans have landed this prize since its inception in 1981; however, has low mileage for her age and remains unbeaten over fences; bagged Listed honours, against her own sex, at Newbury/Exeter the last twice and is a rising force for Polly Gundry; gets the 7lb sex allowance and shouldn't be passed over lightly.

16/1

9/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 11

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won sole point start last May (3m, yielding) and he's 2-2 under rules after hurdle wins at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) and Ayr (2m5f, soft); has had wind op since and a tongue-tie goes on; others have more substance to their form but stamina looks to be a strong suit and he's in good hands to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Inox Allen

10st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Easily made all in first-time visor over C&D (good to soft) last April; hard to fancy on his three runs this term but, given his previous reaction to new headgear, it's possible cheekpieces will garner a positive response.

9/1

7th

2

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

16:11 Musselburgh

Inox Allen

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Easily made all in first-time visor (retained since) at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) last April and he stays this far; however, pulled up/tailed off on his two outings this season and needs to turn things around.

14/1

Form: 22

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won 3m point in 2021 and, after a long absence, has shown promise when runner-up this winter on first two hurdle starts (2m3f/2m5f, heavy/soft); he may be suited by this longer trip but others possess stronger form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Haiti Couleurs

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

In the last 13 months he's won Cheltenham's NH Chase (3m6f), the Irish National (3m5f), a hurdle race, Welsh National (near 3m7f; 12lb higher today) and a Newbury Grade 2; no way can he be ruled out, particularly as he finished well on top in those four chases, but there have also been two major blips this season; latest was in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he was just 6-1 and made most but went to nothing turning for home (writing on the wall four out); however, he's bounced back before, the likely tempo of this race can suit him better and the trip looks like doing so as well.

16/1

6

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Haiti Couleurs

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Prominent-racer who won the NH Chase (Handicap) at this meeting 12 months ago (3m6f, good to soft) and bounced back from November's Betfair Chase flop to win the Welsh National (3m6f, good to soft) and also the Grade 2 Denman Chase (2m7f, heavy); this highly progressive 9yo is now 6-8 over fences and should prove well suited to the demands of today's race, all the more so if there's rain and stamina is at a premium; firmly in calculations.

5/1

1st

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

Haiti Couleurs

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Rebecca Curtis

Superbly progressive novice last term, winning Cheltenham's NH Chase (3m6f, good to soft) and the Irish National (3m5f, soft to heavy); hurdles win here in November before something seemed amiss in a Grade 1 at Haydock 16 days later, but he bounced back from that with a sparkling display to dominate the Welsh National (3m6f) six weeks ago; that was another serious advance and he looks like earning his place in top Graded races after this.

4/5

Form: 1/4-21 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
High-class hunter chaser (won the 2022 Aintree Foxhunters') who won a cross-country handicap at Cheltenham (3m5f, soft) in December last time out; this 11yo has never run over hurdles but he'll be tough to beat if transferring his chase form to this discipline.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Latenightpass

10st 5lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won over C&D (soft) in 2023 and a commendable second to Stumptown in this race last year (good to soft) but safely held in C&D races won by Final Orders and Favori De Champdou on his last two appearances and is getting long in the tooth now; 8lb out of the weights.

50/1

9th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Latenightpass

11st 4lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won over C&D (soft) in 2023 and was commendable second over C&D (good to soft) at last season's Festival; long in the tooth now and faded into seventh in C&D race won by Final Orders six weeks ago, but it won't be a surprise if he's on the premises.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 12-012

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won at Exeter (2m, soft) in December on second hurdle start and close second behind Mt Fugi Park at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) last month; perhaps outstayed by the reopposing winner last time but he was rallying at the line and there's every chance he'll stay this far; possible contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Alcedo

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All four wins have been from 2m to 2m4f (on good to soft to heavy), two of those over fences; clearly in fair nick after a win and two seconds in his last three races (3m/2m4f; all in cheekpieces) but he'll be into unknown territory a long way from home over this distance; too risky.

14/1

2nd

1

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:05 Warwick

Alcedo

11st 11lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

8yo who is lightly raced for his age and won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November; close second at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) since; fully effective on testing ground and he holds leading claims.

13/8

Form: 44-1F2 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Fourth in Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last April and easy win on hurdle debut at Stratford (2m, soft) in November; beaten when falling in Grade 2 here (1m7f, good to soft) next time, and turned over at 8-15 at Fontwell (2m3f, soft) last time, but his pedigree hints he could have staying potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

17:42 Ffos Las

Bowenspark

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Came good over fences with small-field win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in February but was not in the same form on his latest outing and ran poorly the only previous time he wore cheekpieces; others look safer.

8/1

5th

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:08 Uttoxeter

Bowenspark

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

Dual bumper and hurdle winner; mixed results in his first three runs over fences but he really got his act together when justifying favouritism at Bangor (2m5f, soft) last month; that was a four-runner race but he forged clear in the closing stages and a 6lb rise looks fair; shortlisted.

9/4

1st

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Bowenspark

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Henry Daly

Useful bumper horse and hurdler but has always struggled with consistency, a pattern that's threatening to continue over fences; however, if in the same form as when second to a sharp improver at Southwell two runs back (2m4f, good to soft; fine on soft) he'd have every chance.

5/1

Form: 11

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Two-time 3m point winner who is 2-2 under rules following hurdle wins at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) and Kelso (2m6f, soft); strong at the finish when defying a penalty against a fair yardstick last time and today's extra yardage could prompt further improvement; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:10 Perth

Great Pepper

11st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Lightly raced 8yo who was runner-up at Ayr (2m, soft) in January when dropped back in trip on his second chase start; however, pulled up at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) since, which severely dents confidence in his claims today, and the step up in distance may not be ideal.

12/1

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 2

15:17 Carlisle

Great Pepper

11st 9lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Won over 2m6f as a hurdler but effective at this trip, as he showed when runner-up (in his fifth chase start) at Ayr last time out (soft); however, this is tougher and the drier ground is a cause for concern.

10/1

Form: 7-6113

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Easily won at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in November and did likewise there (2m3f, heavy) next time; rallied for 6l third in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago and this step up in trip may well be a positive move; strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Isaac Des Obeaux

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Made a bad mistake on penultimate outing but he won starts either side and latest was the 4m2f Midlands National at Uttoxeter (soft) in which he was always prominent and asserted by 8l on run-in, with Git Maker in third; up 7lb but his only attempt at a marathon trip brought a clear career best.

9/1

1st

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Isaac Des Obeaux

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Beat none other than Haiti Couleurs over hurdles; their respective careers have headed in very different directions and this 8yo is only 1-7 over fences, the win coming in a small field at Exeter two runs back (3m, heavy); since then he lost his position after a bad mistake at Wincanton (3m2f); may yet have more to offer over an extreme distance such as this but he certainly needs it.

11/1

Form: 11

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
3m point winner who scored on hurdle debut at Ffos Las (2m6f, good to soft) in October and followed up at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) last month, staying on well for narrow verdict from Alcedo; this unbeaten 6yo could prove well suited to today's test of stamina and he's in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Worcester

Mt Fugi Park

12st 2lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Seemed to be running well in first-time blinkers before falling at Carlisle and he then made all the running under Gina Andrews at Market Rasen (3m, good); up 4lb but the blinkers have made a difference and should remain competitive.

4/1

1st

3

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Mt Fugi Park

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointed on first two starts this season but seemed to be running well in first-time blinkers (retained) before falling at Carlisle (3m, good to soft) last month; remains on same mark as for last spring's good-ground win there and has top amateur Gina Andrews booked here; might be the answer.

7/2

2

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Mt Fugi Park

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Opened his account over fences over C&D last April but has failed to fire this season, a remote sixth in 3m3f Market Rasen handicap in December; needs this switch of headgear to spark a resurgence.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £147.50
Straight Forecast £131.79
Tricast £2597.52
Trifecta £1980.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Isaac Des Obeaux

POSTDATA:

Mt Fugi Park

The Times:

Great Pepper

D Express:

Mt Fugi Park

The Star:

Mt Fugi Park

RP RATINGS:

Isaac Des Obeaux

TOPSPEED:

Isaac Des Obeaux

WEST COUNTRY:

Isaac Des Obeaux

Telegraph:

Isaac Des Obeaux

Daily Mail:

Isaac Des Obeaux

Daily Mirror:

Isaac Des Obeaux

The Sun:

Isaac Des Obeaux

Daily Record:

Isaac Des Obeaux

The Guardian:

Great Pepper