3m (New) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
I’m not convinced this is a high-class renewal of this race, but as we have seen for many years, anyone can win the Albert Bartlett. The Big Westerner is a big stamp of a mare and she has been targeted at this since winning a Grade 2 December race. She is clearly talented and the only thing to really dislike about her is her price and potentially the ground, if it rides more good than soft tomorrow.
In general, you really want a stayer that’s going to get his head down and battle in an end-to-end gallop and nothing seems to fit-the-bill better than BALLYBOW whose form got a huge boost on Thursday when Air Of Entitlement won the Mares Novice hurdle. Ballybow won both of his last starts on soft ground including a maiden hurdle where the second has now gone on and also won. In his last start, he had to really stick his neck out to beat Ballygunnar Castle and you just get the sense he is going to keep going in this when others start to fall away. Odds of 14/1 look like the kind of price that you should take in this race and I quite fancy his chances.
The British have actually got a strong hand in this and I like the chances of Wendigo, Ma Shantou and DERRYHASSEN PADDY. The latter has got form in the book over this trip and is unbeaten in four starts across a point-to-point, one bumper and two hurdle races. He is making significant progress and his last start over Windsor can be marked up noting that he gave 5lbs to the second on a sharp track that would not have suited his skillset.
Derryhassen Paddy looks like a proper galloper and the New Course should suit him down to the ground. Luncinda Russell won this race in 2012 with Brindisi Breeze and she doesn’t run many in this, so when they do it’s worth taking note, and he looks like he could be there at the business end. Derryhassen Paddy travels well, jumps well and clearly has a strong constitution having knuckled down well to win last time despite taking quite a few bumps against the inside railing.
1pt win Derryhassen Paddy @12/1, 15:20 Cheltenham, Friday
1pt win Ballybow @14/1, 15:20 Cheltenham, Friday