Albert Bartlett Spa Novices Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival
Published on: 15/03/2019
Albert Bartlett Spa Novices Hurdle Preview - Cheltenham Festival
March 15, 2018 14:50pm - Cheltenham
Distance: 2m 7f 213y
Grade: 1
Runners: 20
Winner: £73,506.00 2nd: £27,694.00 3rd: £13,860.00 4th: £6,923.00 5th: £3,475.00 6th: £1,737.00 7th: £862.00 8th: £444.00
Going: Good to soft
This three miler is the final supporting act ahead of the Gold Cup and you can really feel the tension building as three o`clock approaches. Run over the new course, this is a real test of stamina from which many top performers have emerged including Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth.
An open and even field, there are at least half a dozen in with a decent shout here, but we need to narrow it down, so where to begin?
The Gordon Elliott-trained Commander Of Fleet has a Grade 1 win to his name having fought off the challenge of Rhinestone at Leopardstown over two mile six furlongs. Still progressing and with plenty of stamina to boot, he looks like a nice option at 8/1.
Speaking of Rhinestone, that defeat at Leopardstown should not rule him out. The Joseph O`Brien-trained runner looked promising that day, but was caught out on the run in. Looks a good stayer and the extra distance might actually play into his hands.
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh will pair up to try a bring Allaho home in front. He won on his only previous outing over hurdles and looks a good prospect. The Kill-born jockey`s choice should not be overlooked.
Cap York caught the attention winning a strong three-mile handicap at Punchestown and looks to be a good stayer. This is a step up for Noel Meade`s runner, but at 25/1, he should attract plenty of each-way action.
The Nicky Henderson pair of Birchdale and Dickie Diver are also worth a look. The former is unbeaten in two starts since switching and was a winner in the Ballymore Trial here in January. The latter was runner-up on rules debut at Chepstow and backed that up with a maiden win on the same course a few weeks later.
Albert Bartlett Spa Novices Hurdle Winners - past five years:
2014: Very Wood (5) - Paul Carberry (Noel Meade)
2015: Martello Tower (7) - Adrian Heskin (Margaret Mullins)
2016: Unowhatimeanharry (5) - Paul Carberry (Noel Meade)
2017: Penhill (6) - Paul Townend (Willie Mullins)
2018: Kilbricken Storm (7) - H Cobden (Colin Tizzard)
Latest Betting odds:
Birchdale 11/2
Lisnagar Oscar 15/2
Commander Of Fleet 8/1
Allaho 17/2
Dickie Diver 11/1
Derrinross 12/1
Rhinestone 12/1
Dinons 12/1
22/1 bar
You can back Commander Of Fleet at 8/1 and Cap York (E/W) at 25/1.
By Neil Morris
Published on: 15/03/2019
Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (15/03/2019 09:59:12) but are subject to change.
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