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Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle 2018

Rob - if he runs at Taunton tomorrow you'd want to see another run before March, being a fairly flat right handed track Taunton it's not an ideal prep for a festival bid.
Horses that have their prep runs at tracks like Taunton, Stratford, Ludlow, Huntingdon and Plumpton have a poor record and the assumption has to be that those tracks demand different skillsets to Cheltenham meaning you're less likely to succeed there
 
Rob - if he runs at Taunton tomorrow you'd want to see another run before March, being a fairly flat right handed track Taunton it's not an ideal prep for a festival bid.
Horses that have their prep runs at tracks like Taunton, Stratford, Ludlow, Huntingdon and Plumpton have a poor record and the assumption has to be that those tracks demand different skillsets to Cheltenham meaning you're less likely to succeed there

Yeah valid points, don’t think he has an issue going left handed as had two runs at Worcester last year and won them in taking fashion. Hopefully a more suitable prep mid Feb then onto the festival (pocket talking). The plan was always to give him a good break then build him back up (I believe for the festival) so we’ll see
 
Yeah valid points, don’t think he has an issue going left handed as had two runs at Worcester last year and won them in taking fashion. Hopefully a more suitable prep mid Feb then onto the festival (pocket talking). The plan was always to give him a good break then build him back up (I believe for the festival) so we’ll see

Will definitely be a decent horse if he wins tomorrow, on ground he’s never raced on and against solid enough opposition
 
Couldn't help but notice the similarities between Cracking Smart and Martello Tower (2015 winner of this)

Both mixed hurdles and bumper runs during previous season meaning both were second season novice hurdlers

Both won a Cork 3 mile novice hurdle (previously Grade 3 downgraded to Listed now) on soft ground

Both beaten by classy horses over inadequate 2 1/2 mile trip prior to festival

Almost identical profiles and really fancy Cracking Smart to emulate Martello Tower over 3 miles at the festival come 17th March :very_drunk:

The second season novice angle is positive IMO, as I want a horse with loads of experience of racing and ideally knuckling down and giving 100%. The more runs a novice has had, the better for this race IMO (and in most races to be honest)

Winning over the distance, an obvious but good positive.

Being beaten by a classy horse over a shorter trip is fine, especially when Cracking Smart looked like he could have kept galloping past the line last time

I've already backed Cracking Smart and I think he is the one to beat, unless Next Destination runs, and even then I'd expect him to get closer.
 
Is Coquin Mans eligible for this?

He won a maiden in Dec 2016 so surely not? But I notice a couple of firms have him quoted

He isn't eligible HF. Shouldn't be quoted so bookies should refund the money too.
 
If you fancy Chef Des Obeaux then Santini must come into your reckoning. Really impressive on rules debut at Newbury going away from CDO up the run in. Entered at Ascot on Saturday.

Have watched his race back and at 16/1 - I am going to hold fire.

Not because of that race in particular, as obviously it is good form.... but because tomorrow is the second start of his life.

Henderson is definitely not going to change his philosophy and I wouldn't expect another run before Cheltenham after tomorrow.... that being the case,

For any horse to win the Albert Bartlett on their 3rd career start would be absolutely sensational. I don't have the stats but the logic to me tells me it won't have ever been done.

I like the horses to have had at least 3 runs that season, let alone less than 3 in their career.... so for that reason, and that reason alone 16/1 Santini is too short for me
 
He isn't eligible HF. Shouldn't be quoted so bookies should refund the money too.



Good! He’s an outside fancy of mine for the Stayers and had a moment when I saw him quoted for this
 
Have watched his race back and at 16/1 - I am going to hold fire.

Not because of that race in particular, as obviously it is good form.... but because tomorrow is the second start of his life.

Henderson is definitely not going to change his philosophy and I wouldn't expect another run before Cheltenham after tomorrow.... that being the case,

For any horse to win the Albert Bartlett on their 3rd career start would be absolutely sensational. I don't have the stats but the logic to me tells me it won't have ever been done.

I like the horses to have had at least 3 runs that season, let alone less than 3 in their career.... so for that reason, and that reason alone 16/1 Santini is too short for me

I agree he did beat my selection fair & square over 2.5m and if they meet he would most likely beat him again, but after the race Henderson said he thought Santini was a bit special from when he was young and he would be in no rush to race him this year, so he could well keep him for the Stayer next year or even better if he is really that good and can jump, plus the Albert is a killer for young horses...
 
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Not sure if he would go here, the ballymore or neither but I like articulum who runs tomorrow.
 
One of my early Bartlett fancies Monbeg Legend out tomorrow at Taunton. Bit of a strange profile for this race but he's looked smart so far (form mixed). Be interested to see how he goes and after race comments as to whether this is on the agenda. The yard also have Santini and Chef Des Obeaux as possibles so will need to see where he slots in

Probably one to strike a line through. Didn’t think he was going a yard in the conditions but stayed on a bit into second. Obviously be better on good ground but probably not the form to feature, and Henderson has a few others in his yard that will be ahead of him for this
 
good luck with that bet Scooby. Looks a tough race.
Thanks.
It does look a decent race. I was extremely impressed by his run last time the horses behind and the collateral time to the 1st on the card which was a fair contest. If he dosent "bounce" i think he'll come to the last swinging on the bridle. The ground is no issue. So no excuses from me.

Discorama the danger to my eye. The potts horse gets through the ground very well but not 1 for me.
 
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I have this lad on the radar for March but does anyone know where he goes? AB or ballymore? I don’t don’t think he’s dependant on soft ground..
 
Thanks.
It does look a decent race. I was extremely impressed by his run last time the horses behind and the collateral time to the 1st on the card which was a fair contest. If he dosent "bounce" i think he'll come to the last swinging on the bridle. The ground is no issue. So no excuses from me.

Discorama the danger to my eye. The potts horse gets through the ground very well but not 1 for me.

Your selection is very strong in the market.
 
I have this lad on the radar for March but does anyone know where he goes? AB or ballymore? I don’t don’t think he’s dependant on soft ground..

Iv had a nibble for the ballymore at huge prices on exchange that would be my guess if he went at all. The owners are London based so might fancy It.
I'll cover him for bartlett nrnb if he wins like Im thinking he may well do today. I'm hoping the bubble dosent burst because that was as impressive as iv seen this season on his 1st start for a horse that clearly wants a little further on previous form.
 
I don't believe it was a fluke. He's huge with a high cruising speed he almost steps over his hurdles and stays all day. he's 8 years old but hes deffinately filled into his frame now with the engine to match his impressive physique. Don't want to hype him up too much at the price he is now for today. But I do really see something in him.
 
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I don't believe it was a fluke. He's huge with a high cruising speed and stays all day. he's 8 years old but hes deffinately filled into his frame now with the engine to match his impressive physique. Don't want to hype him up too much at the price he is now for today. But I do really see something in him.

His RPR is miles clear of Burrows Saint. If Jetez wins the first, money might come for Burrows Saint which might boost the price a bit if anyone wasn't on at 10/3. (I wasn't!)
 
What happen with Santini yesterday, looks like he drifted badly in the betting, the price I saw was 7/2 before it was withdrawn (not sure if that was correct) and the reason for being withdrawn was unsuitable going SOFT yet he won his last two races in Soft. does something seem fishy about that or is it just me? it just Champ was just been by a neck and that was his other horse in the race..

Ive just seen it was heavy in places but it all sounds a dodgy as surely a horse that will be running over 3 miles in a tough race like the bartlett would be fine running over 2.5 in soft with heavy patches?
 
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