3m (2m7f213y) (New) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
Just a really hard race to pick a winner in with only two single-priced horses going in over the last decade. Doctor Steinberg is a very worthy favourite here having gone in at the Dublin Racing Festival. He pulled quite hard that day and there was talk of him going to the Turners so he will need to settler to get home if we have an end-to-end three-mile gallop.
Thedeviluno has also looked pretty impressive for Paul Nolan. He went in in a Grade 2 hurdle at Doncaster last time, winning impressively but was put firmly in his place by Doctor Steinberg on his penultimate start over a shorter distance. There may not be that much between those two, but on Thedeviluno’s first start over hurdles he eased past THE PASSING WIFE at Gowran Park in a maiden hurdle over two miles. The Passing Wife looked like he was going to go away with it before potentially getting tired on what was his first run for over 400 days and I wouldn’t be surprised if he reversed the form here.
He was all set to go to the Martin Pipe but its a huge pointer that Gavin Cromwell decided to supplement for this race. He looked really strong last time out when dispatching Doctor Du Mesnil over 2m 3f and The Passing Wife looks like he will stay this trip really well.
KING’S BUCKS also stands out to me as a horse we haven’t seen the best of yet for Henry De Bromhead. A former point-to-point winner, he ran well over too short a trip on debut behind Supreme runner Eachtotheirown in a maiden hurdle. It was eye-catching to see him then thrown into a Grade 2 contest over this course on his next start where he stayed on best behind No Drama This End and Heads Up with Moneygarrow well held in behind.
Latterly, King’s Bucks failed to justify strong market support at Limerick where he was unsuited by a slowly run race when just getting done for speed over the short-run at the track to a potentially quite smart horse of Willie Mullins. I think King’s Bucks needs a strong gallop to run at to be seen at his best and despite the facte he remains a maiden coming in here. Minello Indo was the same before going on to win a Gold Cup. So at decent odds of 20/1, I think King’s Bucks might be going under the radar here slightly and can go well.
Two others that stood out were Spinningayarn and Ubatuba as those that I wouldn’t put you off either.
1pt win The Passing Wife @10/1, 15:20 Cheltenham, Friday
1pt win King’s Bucks @20/1, 15:20 Cheltenham, Friday