15.20
Good To SoftAlbert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £84405
- 2m 7f 213y
- Class 1
- 20 runners
Runners: 20 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
10/1 (Won)
- Win: £7.00
- Place: £2.60
Form: 1-8144 C
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 141
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 192y |
11st 10lb |
towards rear |
5/4 |
|
1st 6 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 192y |
11st 10lb |
towards rear |
5/4 |
|
1st 9 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Won last year's Champion Bumper but hasn't looked a natural over hurdles, even when winning his 2m maiden that's worked out really well; comfortably beaten in 2m4f/2m6f Grade 1s the last twice, though he was boxing on in the latest (in first-time cheekpieces which are now discarded) and this longer trip could put a spring in his step should his jumping pass the test; dangerous to dismiss with Paul Townend back aboard; his standout form is on soft ground. |
10/1 |
5/1
- Place: £2.30
Form: 11 D
Last run: 78 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
20th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Bought for £120,000 after a debut point win; impressed in winning her first two hurdle races; landed a 2m5f maiden at Punchestown before displaying plenty of stamina in winning a 2m7f Grade 2 at Limerick; arguably sets the standard with her second behind Jasmin De Vaux in the Albert Bartlett, rallied well having been hampered after two out; suited by soft ground. |
7/4 |
|
14 |
20th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 5lb |
Bought for £120,000 after a debut point win; impressed in winning her first two hurdle races; landed a 2m5f maiden at Punchestown before displaying plenty of stamina in winning a 2m7f Grade 2 at Limerick; arguably sets the standard with her second behind Jasmin De Vaux in the Albert Bartlett, rallied well having been hampered after two out; suited by soft ground. |
7/4 |
|
2nd 20 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Bred for the job as a half-sister to the 2023 winner Stay Away Fay; bought for £120,000 after winning her point and remains unbeaten after winning both her hurdle races, repelling Argento Boy in a maiden (2m5f) before displaying plenty of stamina in winning a 2m7f Grade 2 at Limerick (smart RPR given they went a steady pace; on yielding to soft); it's difficult to gauge how good this scopey mare is and the fact no female has won this race carries little significance when so few have tried. |
5/1 |
33/1
Form: 121531 D
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 19 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Found 2m3f too sharp a test three runs back but progressive otherwise this season at up to 3m and he had Ma Shantou and Jig's Forge behind when digging deepest in a Grade 2 at Doncaster last time (3m, good to soft); this demands a whole lot more and he has plenty to find with Jet Blue on their clash here in December. |
33/1 |
|
1st 7 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
towards rear but in touch with leaders |
14/1 |
|
7 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Won two novice hurdles last July/September (good/good to soft) and creditable third in Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) last month; can give another good account but has 3l to find with runner-up Western Knight on that latest form. |
14/1 |
13/2
Form: 1-2121
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 17 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
1-3 in points and 2-3 in bumpers; beaten at Hexham on his hurdling debut but then won well at Ludlow and showed that he belonged in this company when best of the rest behind The New Lion in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) where he produced his best work late in the day; massively odds-on when easily making all in a Wetherby novice (2m3f, soft) and rates a likely contender with this longer trip a probable plus. |
13/2 |
|
1st 3 |
12th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 3f 154y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
made all, pushed along before 3 out, good jump and went clear 2 out, kept on well run-in, unchallenged |
2/5 |
|
2nd 7 |
28th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 118y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Easily beat three rivals at Ludlow (2m5f, good; second hurdles attempt) last month, taking overall record to 4-8; productive and progressive but this is by far his toughest assignment yet. |
16/1 |
40/1
Form: 14
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Belied his huge odds with a good effort in the Albert Bartlett, eventually weakening into sixth place having held every chance turning for home; could go well again. |
10/1 |
|
7th 7 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
prominent |
10/1 |
|
6th 12 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Won his 3m point on heavy ground so should stay okay; made all in a 2m4f maiden on soft at Ffos Las but he gave up the ghost quite tamely when behind some of these in a 3m Grade 2 at Doncaster in January (good to soft); opposable on the back of that effort. |
40/1 |
50/1
Form: 0-2113 BF
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 13 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Failed in his hat-trick bid when made favourite for the Grade 2 River Don at Doncaster (3m) but, while that was his first attempt over this far, he shaped as though a more truly run race would have benefited him; like many in here, the potential is there for a career best. |
50/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
towards rear but in touch with leaders |
3/1 |
|
5 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Soft-ground bumper winner who won easily at Warwick (2m5f, good to soft) in November on his second hurdle start and cosily followed up in a warm little novice at Windsor (2m4f, good to soft); looks a stayer in the making and his form reads well; firmly in calculations now up in trip. |
3/1 |
20/1
Form: 4-4215
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 16 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Outran his odds when a closing fourth in last year's Champion Bumper; the form of his first two efforts in maiden hurdles were underwhelming and he offered little in a 2m6f Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival when behind Wingmen and Jasmin De Vaux. |
20/1 |
|
5th 7 |
1st Feb 2025 Soft 2m 6f 53y |
11st 10lb |
prominent, lost position and dropped to midfield before 2 out, kept on approaching last |
6/1 |
|
5th 7 |
1st Feb 2025 Soft 2m 6f 53y |
11st 10lb |
prominent, lost position and dropped to midfield before 2 out, kept on approaching last |
6/1 |
7/1
Form: 3-3121 CD
Last run: 90 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 11 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Won three of his ten bumpers in France and also a 2m2f hurdle race in October; moved stables after changing hands for 220,000euros in November and a month later created quite an impression when decisively winning a Grade 2 here (good to soft) on his first foray over 3m, with subsequent Grade 2 winner Yellow Car left trailing in his wake; winning course form has regularly featured on successful CVs in this race and he's accrued plenty of experience; hard to knock. |
7/1 |
8/1
Form: -11232
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 |
6th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 3lb |
Point and dual bumper winner took a Navan maiden hurdle over this trip on seasonal bow before a string of fine runs in defeat, notably in two Grade 1s; can be forgiven a below-par run in the gruelling 3m Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and is top-rated today so a big player if repeating his best. |
7/2 |
|
6th 8 |
6th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
11st 3lb |
Point and dual bumper winner took a Navan maiden hurdle over this trip on seasonal bow before a string of fine runs in defeat, notably in two Grade 1s; can be forgiven a below-par run in the gruelling 3m Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham and is top-rated today so a big player if repeating his best. |
7/2 |
|
10th 18 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Winner of a point, two bumpers and a 2m4f maiden hurdle; under positive rides he's also made the frame in two Grade 1s this year, in the latest (2m6f, soft; has won on good to yielding) keeping on for second prize behind the impressive Final Demand; this 7yo is a big lad who won't be fazed by a big field and gives the impression that he'll stay all day; respected runner for a yard that won this race 12 months ago; has worn this hood in his last six races. |
8/1 |
20/1
Form: 1-0P31
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 15 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Cost £300,000 after winning his point (3m, soft) and he followed up in a Gowran bumper (2m2f, heavy); improved with each of his races over hurdles but he wasn't that impressive last time when winning a Punchestown maiden (extended 2m3f, heavy; second has won since); may prefer testing ground. |
20/1 |
|
1st 4 |
27th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 3f 56y |
11st 12lb |
jumped left on occasions, took keen hold, raced in second and hung left, disputed lead from 5th, pressed leader before 7th, led going best before last, went clear when ridden run-in, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough |
5/4 |
|
1st 4 |
27th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 3f 56y |
11st 12lb |
jumped left on occasions, took keen hold, raced in second and hung left, disputed lead from 5th, pressed leader before 7th, led going best before last, went clear when ridden run-in, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough |
5/4 |
11/1
Form: 10211 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 2 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Quick enough to win a bumper on yielding ground but smacks of a stayer having won a 3m Grade 3 at Clonmel (soft) last time, albeit a weak one and effectively a match; appears to have the right attitude and that can count for plenty in this race. |
11/1 |
40/1
Form: 336-14 D
Last run: 54 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
22nd Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 7f 35y |
11st 4lb |
midfield |
14/1 |
|
9 |
22nd Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 7f 35y |
11st 4lb |
midfield |
14/1 |
9/1
Form: 0-62P1 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 192y |
11st 10lb |
led, not fluent 4th |
20/1 |
|
5th 1 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 192y |
11st 10lb |
led, not fluent 4th |
20/1 |
|
7th 1 |
4th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Has a very mixed record over hurdles after only four starts and was tailed off in last month's Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham; won Punchestown maiden (2m7f, heavy) by wide margin two starts ago and also ran to useful level when clear second to subsequent Albert Bartlett runner-up The Big Westerner in November but he's hard to predict; has raced only on ground slower than good. |
12/1 |
14/1
Form: 1-11 D
Last run: 56 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| 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 |
11st 2lb |
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 |
40/1
Form: 3171
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Both wins under rules have come on good ground over Ascot's extended 2m3f, on either side of finishing tailed off in the Grade 1 Challow; raised markedly in trip here but he won his 3m point on heavy and his trainer describes him as a relentless galloper; possible improver. |
40/1 |
|
2 |
15th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 58y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Absent since heavy defeat in the Challow seven weeks ago; comfortably justified favouritism in C&D contest (good) the time before, adding to his point win; respected back at Ascot and back down in class. |
5/2 |
|
7th 3 |
28th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 118y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Comfortably beat two rivals at Ascot (2m3f, good; second rules start) five weeks ago, adding to his Irish point win; has something to find on ratings but is open to further progress. |
20/1 |
25/1
Form: 25-031
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
22nd Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 7f 35y |
11st 7lb |
midfield, towards rear halfway |
9/2 |
|
4 |
22nd Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 7f 35y |
11st 7lb |
midfield, towards rear halfway |
9/2 |
14/1
Form: 118113 D
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16 |
1st May 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 2lb |
Highly progressive handicapper and better than ever when close third in a 3m Listed handicap at Leopardstown in early February (soft; has won on yielding); offered little in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett last time but this is more his scene; wouldn't be without a squeak. |
12/1 |
|
16 |
1st May 2025 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 2lb |
Highly progressive handicapper and better than ever when close third in a 3m Listed handicap at Leopardstown in early February (soft; has won on yielding); offered little in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett last time but this is more his scene; wouldn't be without a squeak. |
12/1 |
|
6 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Hasn't been out of handicap company in well over a year but highly progressive in that scene and better than ever when close third in a 3m Listed handicap at Leopardstown last month (soft; has won on yielding); moved with purpose through that race and perhaps went for home a tad early; battle-hardened, still improving and wouldn't be without a squeak. |
14/1 |
16/1
Form: 211211 C
Last run: 41 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Failed to show his form in the Albert Bartlett most recently; steadily progressive otherwise and has gained two of his four hurdles wins in Scotland; major player on ratings. |
10/1 |
|
8th 2 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
soon prominent |
10/1 |
|
8 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Has been making hay in softer races all season and he's not beaten anything of note in his most recent wins here (good) and at Musselburgh (good to soft); however, those were over 3m so he's an assured stayer, and already having nine hurdle starts in the bag is a selling point when many past winners of this were well stocked up on experience; should give his running. |
16/1 |
33/1
Form: 3-7113
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Found last month's Grade 1 Albert Bartlett too hot but has been seen to very good effect when ridden positively from the front this season, most notably when winning by 17l at Ascot (2m5f, good) in January, and may not be easy to reel in; tongue-tie fitted for first time. |
11/2 |
|
1st 1 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Found last month's Grade 1 Albert Bartlett too hot but has been seen to very good effect when ridden positively from the front this season, most notably when winning by 17l at Ascot (2m5f, good) in January, and may not be easy to reel in; tongue-tie fitted for first time. |
11/2 |
|
10 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Seemingly all the better for wind surgery when making all for clearcut wins at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) and Ascot (2m5f, good) before just falling short under the same tactics in a Listed race at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft); worth a crack over this far but this is a tough race in which to dominate from the front should they persevere with the same tactics. |
33/1 |
40/1
Form: 21
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14 |
14th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Fetched £260,000 after winning his Irish point; returning from a long absence when promoted to second in a Newbury novice and, in a new tongue-tie (retained), he was left clear at the final flight to win a Huntingdon maiden (2m4f, good to soft) by daylight; already looks as though he needs this sort of trip but wouldn't be the obvious answer on what he's shown to date. |
40/1 |
|
1st 5 |
2nd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 145y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
didn't always jump with fluency, pressed leader, pushed along 3 out, outpaced and 3 lengths down 2 out, rallied and challenging when left clear last |
8/11 |
|
3rd 7 |
18th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 118y Class 3 |
11st 0lb |
13th foal; half-brother to five winners including Bellshill (top-class bumper/2m-3m1f jumps), Chieftain's Choice (bumper/useful 2m-2m3f hurdle), Foxbridge (2m3f-3m1f hurdle/useful chase) and In The Zoe (2m-2m3f hurdle/chase); dam well beaten; won in April 2023 at the second attempt in Irish maiden points; absent 620 days but very much one to note. |
6/4 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £37.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £29.46 |
| Tricast | £277.86 |
| Trifecta | £298.80 |
Selections
WEST COUNTRY:
First ConfessionDaily Mail:
Flicker Of HopeThe Sun:
Jasmin De VauxPOSTDATA:
WingmenThe Times:
Derryhassen PaddyTelegraph:
Derryhassen PaddyThe Star:
Derryhassen PaddyThe Guardian:
Wendigo