15:00 Cheltenham 13 Dec 2025
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Registered As The Bristol Novices' Hurdle | Grade 2 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £47,552 - 7 ran
mid-division, took third after 6th, pushed along and pressed leaders last, ridden and hung right to rails flat, stayed on dourly and led narrowly towards line, won on nod
wore red hood to post, held up in rear, improved on outer before 2 out, pushed along into fourth on run to last, switched right on approach and slightly outpaced, ridden and strong run 1f out run-in, pressed front pair closing stages, denied on nod
led, faced challenge after 3 out, pushed along before last where joined, stayed on gamely run-in, headed narrowly and lost second towards finish
towards rear, closed up 2 out, pushed along disputing fourth on run to last, ridden flat and stayed on, not pace to challenge
handy, pressed leader after 3 out, pushed along and every chance last, faded final furlong run-in
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, pushed along and faded on run to last
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, bunny-hopped 8th, awkward 3 out, pushed along and outpaced after 2 out, soon beaten
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £27.20 (3, 6) |
| Win | £5.00 (3) |
| Place | £2.20 (3), £2.80 (6) |
| Swinger | £1.90 (1, 3), £1.90 (1, 6), £3.60 (3, 6) |
| Exacta | £26.70 (3, 6) |
| Trifecta | £57.00 (3, 6, 1) |
Expert Analysis
This was a tactical affair and was slowly run until developing into a sprint finish from two out to the line. The proximity of the exposed 125 rated Intosomethinggood acts as the most dependable marker for the form.
CARLENRIG Given the slow gallop I am not sure how reliable this form will turn out to be on another day. Either way this looked a step up on his second-place finish behind the Sam Thomas-trained Rocking Man on his hurdles debut.
THEY CALL ME HUGO It is difficult not to conclude that with a cleaner passage through the latter stages he would have won this grade two contest and possibly with something to spare. Sean Bowen found his path blocked on the approach to the final hurdle and as a consequence switched his mount wide of the field losing ground and momentum in the process. This manoeuvre resulted in him jumping the final hurdle in last position of the five horses still in contention. He then had to make up around three lengths on the eventual winner and third to finish and only just failed to do so being beaten by just a short head at the line. He looked a most unfortunate loser on the day.
CONMAN JOHN I wonder if his jockey would set a stronger gallop if he had his time again. The proximity of Kasino Des Mottes here compared with how much further Conman John finished in front of him last time out suggests there is a possibility, at least, that this favourite did not perform to his best. Of course, equally likely, the Tizzard horse has simply improved more than the favourite in the intervening seven weeks.
INTOSOMETHINGGOOD He is by far the most exposed horse in this race, and he is the most dependable gauge to the quality of the form. Even then, a slow pace and sprint finish can often restrict winning margins which still casts some doubt on the reliability of this outcome.
KASINO DES MOTTES This may have been an improved display compared to when he finished behind this favourite in October. He was beaten almost 20 lengths on that last day and managed to close the gap on Conman John to just five lengths here. Perhaps the slow gallop played a significant part in the reduction of his losing margin.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 15:00 Cheltenham 13th Dec 2025
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good to Soft | 6 | Jet Blue | 5 | 11 5 | - | 713-312 | 38 days | D Cottin | J Reveley | 9/ 2 | 5:58.57 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 10 | Shanagh Bob | 5 | 11 0 | - | 1-1 | 26 days | N J Henderson (51 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 15/ 8 | 6:01.20 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 6 | Blazing Khal | 5 | 11 3 | - | 2541-11 | 29 days | C Byrnes | Donal McInerney | EVENS | 6:02.94 | |
| 2020 | Soft | 8 | Make Good | 5 | 10 12 | - | 541221 | 22 days | J C McConnell | Richard Johnson | 12/ 1 | 6:13.06 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 8 | Redford Road | 5 | 10 12 | - | 2-112 | 21 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (1 miles) | Jamie Bargary | 14/ 1 | 6:18.90 | |
| 2018 | Good to Soft | 8 | Rockpoint | 5 | 10 12 | - | 327-202 | 15 days | C L Tizzard (83 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 11/ 2 | 6:12.10 | |
| 2017 | Soft | 4 | Kilbricken Storm | 6 | 10 12 | - | 45-131 | 35 days | C L Tizzard (83 miles) | Harry Cobden | 3/ 1 | 6:04.50 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 6 | Wholestone | 5 | 11 5 | - | 13F-112 | 29 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (1 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 13/ 8 | 6:06.70 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 7 | Unowhatimeanharry | 7 | 11 4 | - | 237P-11 | 16 days | H Fry (106 miles) | Noel Fehily | 11/ 10 | 6:05.80 | |
| 2014 | Good to Soft | 6 | Blaklion | 5 | 11 7 | - | 111-112 | 29 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (1 miles) | R Hatch | 9/ 4 | 6:05.00 | |
| 2013 | Good | 7 | Kings Palace | 5 | 11 7 | - | 12F-11 | 56 days | D Pipe (100 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 10/ 11 | 6:01.50 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 7 | Coneygree | 5 | 11 7 | - | 18-11 | 27 days | M Bradstock (45 miles) | M Batchelor | 11/ 10 | 6:38.60 | |
| 2011 | Good | 6 | Deireadh Re | 5 | 11 4 | - | 422-12 | 21 days | P F Nicholls (69 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 2/ 1 | 5:56.10 | |
| 2010 | Good to Soft | 11 | Mossley | 4 | 11 4 | - | F-11 | 41 days | N J Henderson (51 miles) | B J Geraghty | 3/ 1 | 6:04.80 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 8 | Tell Massini | 5 | 11 7 | - | P111 | 27 days | T R George (14 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 4/ 5 | 6:04.50 | |
| 2007 | Good | 8 | Nenuphar Collonges | 6 | 11 0 | - | 11F21-2 | 27 days | A King (44 miles) | R Thornton | 4/ 1 | 6:06.00 | |
| 2006 | Soft | 8 | Flight Leader | 6 | 11 0 | - | 625-12 | 23 days | C L Tizzard (83 miles) | J Tizzard | 16/ 1 | 6:11.00 | |
| 2005 | Good to Soft | 6 | Black Jack Ketchum | 6 | 11 7 | - | 11-11 | 27 days | J & A O'Neill (1 miles) | A P McCoy | 4/ 6 | 5:56.10 |
