15:00 Cheltenham 16 Dec 2023
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
Registered As The Bristol Novices' Hurdle | Grade 2 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner £28,475 - 10 ran
close up, pushed along and headway approaching last, soon every chance, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
pushed along leaving start, tracked leader, every chance 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed inside final furlong
led 2nd, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching next, stayed on one pace
in touch, dropped to rear 5th, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance next, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden and some headway after 2 out, not trouble leaders
in rear, some headway and in touch 6th, ridden 2 out, not trouble leaders
led, headed 2nd, dropped to rear 5th, wide and headway 8th, weakened soon after 3 out
raced wide in touch, headway and prominent 3 out, hit next, soon weakened and jumped left last
close up, lost place 3 out, tailed off
towards rear, ridden and weakened 2 out, pulled up sharply next
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £3.25 |
| CSF | £9.07 (9, 3) |
| Tricast | £63.15 (9, 3, 8) |
| Win | £2.88 (9) |
| Place | £1.40 (9), £1.60 (3), £2.50 (8) |
| Swinger | £8.30 (3, 8), £2.10 (3, 9), £6.10 (8, 9) |
| Exacta | £9.70 (9, 3) |
| Trifecta | £76.40 (9, 3, 8) |
Expert Analysis
Not the strongest race of its type, representing barely useful form, but it was quite well-run, with a final-4f finishing speed of 105.5% which is only a bit quicker than par, and the form should prove quite reliable. Times pointed to the ground being “good to soft” (not as soft as the official “soft”), but a shade slower on the hurdles course than the chase one within that category.
SHANAGH BOB (h134 here, 115+ previously) added to his win in a Plumpton novice in this more prestigious contest with a performance which suggests he will prove very useful in time, for all the limitations of his rivals on the day. He tracked the pace going well but was under pressure after 2 out and took a while to respond, leading under pressure soon after the last and kept up to his work.
DESTROYTHEEVIDENCE (h133 here, 129 previously) lost no standing in defeat up in grade, never far away (less than fluent early) and leading from soon after 2 out until early on the run-in, still in with a chance until close home. He took a fair bit of rousting on the run to the first and is worth keeping an eye on in that respect.
MOON D’ORANGE (h130 here and previously) ran at least as well as previously with no obvious excuses, making much of the running until after 2 out and no extra only late on.
KERRYHILL (h126 here, 116+ previously) improved on the form of his Kelso win without really seeing things out, coming from rear but in touch to have every chance going to 2 out, dropping away somewhat on the run-in.
YES DAY (h123 here, 128 previously) ran respectably but got outpaced at a crucial stage going to 2 out, passing a few thereafter.
CARRIGMOORNA ROWAN (h118 here, 122 previously) might not have been suited by this long trip at this stage (took good hold) but was not discredited in any case.
CADELL (h114 here, 122 previously) went rather in snatches, looking like being tailed off after 3 out before plugging on.
GENIETOILE (h110 here, 118 previously)
MONBARI (h0 here, 105 previously)
ILLICO DE COTTE (h0 here, 123 previously)
Video Highlights
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Replay: 15:00 Cheltenham 16th Dec 2023
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 McConnell | Richard Johnson | 12/ 1 | 6:13.06 | |
| 2019 | Soft | 8 | Redford Road | 5 | 10 12 | - | 2-112 | 21 days | N 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 Tizzard (83 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 11/ 2 | 6:12.10 | |
| 2017 | Soft | 4 | Kilbricken Storm | 6 | 10 12 | - | 45-131 | 35 days | C Tizzard (83 miles) | Harry Cobden | 3/ 1 | 6:04.50 | |
| 2016 | Soft | 6 | Wholestone | 5 | 11 5 | - | 13F-112 | 29 days | N 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 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 Nicholls (69 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 2/ 1 | 5:56.10 | |
| 2010 | Good to Soft | 11 | Mossley | 4 | 11 4 | - | F-11 | 41 days | N 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 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 | Jonjo O'Neill (1 miles) | A P McCoy | 4/ 6 | 5:56.10 | |
| 2004 | Good | 10 | Brewster | 7 | 11 7 | - | 2403-41 | 27 days | I Williams (37 miles) | D R Dennis | 2/ 1 | 6:02.50 | |
| 2003 | Good to Soft | 9 | Comply Or Die | 4 | 11 4 | - | 112 | 35 days | M Pipe (100 miles) | A P McCoy | 2/ 1 | 6:41.80 |
