2024 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Tips - Who will triumph in the three-miler?

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 08 Mar 2024

Jon Vine 08 Mar 2024

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Free guide to the 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
This Grade One takes place on day four of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday 15th March
We're yet to finalise our final selections, but have drawn up a shortlist

Expired

Spectators are seen in the grandstand as they watch The Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. (Getty)

The traditional warm-up act before the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. This three-mile novice hurdle has been won by plenty of classy horses down the years, but it can be very tricky to find the winner.

Here's our free guide to the 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. You'll find our best betting tips in the verdict section below.

2024 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Tips

The general rule of thumb for the Albert Bartlett is to back an experienced, battle-hardened novice, with proven form over three miles, who could have been overlooked in the market. The average winning price in this Grade One is around 16/1, so looking away from the market leaders could prove to be a shrewd move.

That being said, the horses with proven Grade One form are well found in the betting. Willie Mullins looks set to step Lawlor's Of Naas winner, Readin Tommy Wrong up in trip, where he'll be joined in the field by Dancing City, who was last seen scoring in the Nathaniel Lacy. Both were the least fancied of Willie's runners in those Grade Ones and outstayed Baring Bingham contenders to claim victory.

High Class Hero was campaigned at a lower level during the summer and warmed up for Cheltenham with a comfortable win at Thurles. Lecky Watson - who I was hoping would run in the Martin Pipe - could also represent Ireland's Champion Trainer. Largy Hill, Mercury, O'Moore Park and Spread Boss Ted have also been entered and none can be ruled out, despite their lengthy odds.

Paul Nicholls could step Challow Hurdle winner, Captain Teague up in distance. Challow winners have a poor record at Cheltenham, but most have run in the Baring Bingham and the Albert Bartlett is certainly the easier option of the two. Harry Fry's Gidleigh Park could also make his debut over three miles, having won all four of his starts over hurdles and in bumpers.

Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville team up with Shanagh Bob, who hasn't been seen since his victory in the Bristol Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in December. Johnnywho has finished fourth behind Captain Teague and Gidleigh Park in recent starts and there's plenty in his pedigree to offer encouragement over this longer trip. The Jukebox Man finished a place ahead of Johnnywho when third in the Challow and he's a likely runner for Ben Pauling.

Gavin Cromwell looks set to supplement Now Is The Hour into this Grade One on day four of the Cheltenham Festival, following his emphatic victory in the Prestige Novices' Hurdle. Croke Park and My Trump Card are runners for Gordon Elliott, along with Search For Glory, who was pulled up in this contest 12 months ago.

Stay Away Fay finished second as the favourite in the River Don at Doncaster before going on to land the Albert Bartlett, and stablemate Welcom To Cartries will attempt to do the same this year. Another outsider worth noting is Henry De Bromhead's Chigorin, who outstayed several capable rivals when winning over three miles on his most recent run at Fairyhouse in December.

Verdict

2024 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

I will be backing one at a decent price for the Albert Bartlett, but not just yet. Most of the interesting runners are currently priced up at 20/1 or below, but once the field has been confirmed, plenty will drift out to 33/1 and beyond, so I'll be waiting until the declarations to firm up my selections.

Johnnywho and The Jukebox Man would make it onto my shortlist, as I think both will improve when stepped up to three miles. Croke Park was outclassed in the Lawlor's Of Naas last time out, but he's of interest stepping up to what will be his most effective distance.

One who could still be a little overpriced is Dancing City, who has done very little wrong during his career thus far and saw off Predators Gold convincingly when winning the Nathaniel Lacy. He would be my selection out of the Willie Mullins runners, but again, I won't be finalising a selection until the jockey bookings have been confirmed.

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