Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Tips 2022 – Cheltenham 2.50pm Preview, Odds, Trends and Betting Tip

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, run over 2 miles, 7 furlongs and 213 yards on the New Course at Cheltenham, was added to the Festival Schedule in 2005 and upgraded to Grade One status three years later.

The race has produced two winning favourites in the last ten years, but also winners at 50/1, 33/1 (twice) and 16/1 and, frankly, looks wide open this year.

 

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Betting Tip – HILLCREST (4/1)

I thought this race looked strong a few weeks ago but after going through it in more detail, I think there’s a bet to have.

With Ginto and Journey With Me looking likely to go to the Ballymore and Gerri Colombe ruled out of the race, all of the sudden the race lacks the depth I thought it had a couple of weeks ago.

HILLCREST (4/1 with Betfred) was impressive on the weekend and I’m willing to take a chance on him for this often grueling race for novices. His price has almost gone since the weekend but he has a huge chance and it was good to see him over 3m before being convinced of his staying ability.

The ground at Haydock was heavy and it would worry me slightly that he has hard a hard race only 27 days before for Albert Bartlett but his trainer Henry Daly’s comments (that he wasn’t blowing for too long and it was like he hadn’t had a race) after the race would cancel out that fear.

There are still dangers to my pick but I believe he is the one to beat. Minella Cocooner won well in the Nathaniel Lacy at the DRF and I really don’t understand why he is such a bigger price than the runner-up Minella Crooner. I understand that the latter was a little unlucky and finished off his race well but I think he has shortened far too much since and I’m not sure about his favourites price. Hollow Games has been a little disappointing and I cant see how he turns that form around with the 2 Minella’s.

HILLCREST has course form and has won on a variety of ground conditions. He has 2m4 form so shouldn’t lack for pace either. With 4 completed starts (and an unseated rider) to his name this season and being a 7YO he has a good amount of experience usually needed to win this race.

 

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Trends

• Age – 10 of the last 12 winners were aged 6 or 7.
• Price – 2 of the last 12 winners have been favorites, 4/12 winners have been in the top 3 in the betting.
• Last Run – 5/12 winners won on their previous run before the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, 9/12 winners had their last run within 54 days.
• Previous Course Form – 5/12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 4/12 winners had a previous win at Cheltenham.
• Previous Distance Form – 11/12 winners had at least 1 run over 23-25 furlongs, 10/12 winners had at least 1 win over 23-25 furlongs.
• Previous Hurdle Form – 11/12 winners had at least 3 runs over hurdles, 9/12 winners had at least 4 runs over hurdles, 11/12 winners had at least 1 previous win over hurdles, 10/12 winners had at least 2 previous wins over hurdles.
• Rating – 10/12 winners were rated 139 or higher.
• Graded Wins – 8/12 winners had at least 1 win in a grade 1-3 race.
• Season Form – 11/12 winners had at least 3 runs that season, 10/12 winners had at least 1 win that season.

 

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Recent Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer
2009	Weapon’s Amnesty	Davy Russell	C Byrnes
2010	Berties Dream	A E Lynch	Paul John Gilligan
2011	Bobs Worth	Barry Geraghty	Nicky Henderson
2012	Brindisi Breeze	Campbell Gillies	Lucinda Russell
2013	At Fishers Cross	A P McCoy	Rebecca Curtis
2014	Very Wood	Paul Carberry	Noel Meade
2015	Martello Tower	A P Heskin	Margaret Mullins
2016	Unowhatimeanharry	Noel Fehily	Harry Fry
2017	Penhill	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins
2018	Kilbricken Storm	Harry Cobden	Colin Tizzard
2019	Minella Indo	Rachael Blackmore	Henry De Bromhead
2020	Monkfish	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins

 

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Result 2020

1st – Monkfish (5/1)

2nd – Latest Exhibition (9/2)

3rd – Fury Road (5/1)

4th – Thyme Hill (4/1)

 

Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Tips

Time	Race	Odds	Read
1.30pm	Lossiemouth	7/4	Read
2.10pm	TBC	TBC	Read
2.50pm	Shanbally Kid (EW)	25/1	Read
3.30pm	Galopin Des Champs & Bravemansgame	5/4 & 8/1	Read
4.10pm	Chris's Dream	9/1	Read
4.50pm	Allegorie De Vassy	6/4	Read
5.30pm	Spanish Harlem	7/1	Read