- Supreme Novices Hurdle
- Arkle Challenge Trophy
- Will Hill Trophy Handicap Chase
- Champion Hurdle
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- David Nicholson Mares Hurdle
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- Ryanair Chase
- Ladbrokes World Hurdle
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- County Handicap Hurdle
- Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
- Cheltenham Gold Cup
- Foxhunter Steeple Chase
- Conditional Jockeys Hurdle
- Grand Annual Chase
Cheltenham Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle betting verdict
Another Grade 1 novice hurdle event which was won by Barry Geraghty last year aboard the Nicky Henderson-trained Bobs Worth. This year, Sea Of Thunder looks interesting after a crashing fall in at Cheltenham two runs back when he seemingly had the race won under jockey Jason Maguire . Boston Bob is another entered for the race and he had the beating of Sea Of Thunder at Leopardstown last time, while Rocky Creek and Brindisi Breeze occupy the top four in the Albert Bartlett ante-post market. Get a free £25 bet with William Hill.
Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle odds
This race is ideal for the staying novice hurdles that are probably just below par for the Ladbrokes World hurdle but are certainly adept at this lesser level. Only recently has this race held Grade 1 status so a lot of quality will go to post for this eagerly anticipated contest. It has grown in stature and prestige amongst Cheltenham racing enthusiasts since its launch and it is a real eye-opener to some of the top staying novice hurdlers. Previous winners include Weapons Amnesty who won this in 2009 and twelve months later went on to blitz the RSA Chase by seven lengths. Davy Russell’s mount went in at odds of 10/1 which suggests there is value to be had in this field for those very shrewd betting folk.
Trial paths
Despite it being a relatively new race on the card, certain trends have become evident. Seven year old horses have a 50% strike rate in the race and both Robert Thornton and AP McCoy have won it on two occasions. McCoy rode his two winners for JonJo O’Neill and the second of those Wichita Lineman has been a real success story since his victory in 2007. He was sent to contest the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival trials in January before scoring in the Albert Bartlett just two months later. So this race is worth keeping an eye on with possible entrants choosing to go down this route. Wichita Lineman subsequently went on to find the Ladbrokes World Hurdle too much but did find success in the 2009 running of the William Hill Handicap Chase. Therefore, the 2011 race winner might just go on to become to claim a few more festival accolades.
Berties Dream for Paul Gilligan yard tasted success in this last year at a massive 33/1. But prior to that, this race had not seen any winner go in higher than 9/1. So despite this anomaly, the betting could guide for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle although the trip could catch a few of these out. It is important that when the runners are declared that you seek out horses that are proven over this trip and not only stay the trip, but stay it well. The long run-in could hamper the chances of some, so stamina is the key as they prepare to be greeted close home by that famous ‘Cheltenham Roar’!
Betting verdict:
Jason Maguire had pulled clear aboard Sea Of Thunder over course and distance in December before bowing out at the last flight of hurdles. A similar performance would put him in the shake-up but there’s no getting away from the credentials of BOSTON BOB who is unbeaten over hurdles and will take all the beating should he run. Rocky Creek is also prominent in the betting after brushing aside Gullinbursti at Doncaster last time and he should be there at the business end of things.
1- Boston Bob
2- Rocky Creek
3- Sea Of Thunder
Victor Chandler
Bet 365
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