Tips For The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 2023 – Trends To Pick A Winner

The Albert Bartlett is a gruelling contest taking in almost three miles of this track. It has often thrown up extreme results such the time when Minella Indo won at odds of 50/1 back in 2019 or even when Kilbricken Storm won at 33/1 the year before.

A lot of horses that run in this go onto compete in the Stayers Hurdle the following season.

Sixteen of the last seventeen winners had at least been placed in a Graded novice hurdle prior to coming here and only one horse aged older than seven has won this in the past decade.

It helps to have won at least twice over hurdles in the past and five of the last seven winners have been Irish trained.

Key trials for this include the Prestige Novices’ Hurdle, the Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle and the Classic Novices’ Hurdle.

Previous Winners of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Runners To Watch

Below are selected runners who hold entries for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 2023.

Karl Hedley provides some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner.

EMBASSY GARDENS – WILLIE MULLINS

Stepped up to three miles last time out and won literally doing handstands. He saw off Kilbree Warrior by an impressive thirty-five lengths. Willie Mullins sees him as a real chasing type but the form of that last win has not worked out at all.

He may just have been best on the day. Yet to prove it at the highest level but no surprise if he does, given his yards’ record in the race.

THREE CARD BRAG – GORDON ELLIOTT

Has been beaten in lesser events than this and beginning to look exposed at the very top level. He did put his head in front in what was literally an egg and spoon race at Fairyhouse at the end of January beating Spanish Harlem by a dozen lengths.

It is just very hard to see him figure here given the talent pool on offer.

CORBETTS CROSS – EMMETT MULLINS

This horse is improving at a rate of knots and put in a power packed display when handing out a six length beating to Martha Devine in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in mid-January.

He certainly improved for the step up in trip and has recently left the yard of Eugene O’Sullivan to be trained by Emmett Mullins. There is more improvement to come without a shadow of doubt and he is an intriguing contender.

HIDDENVALLEY LAKE – HENRY DE BROMHEAD

Needs to improve dramatically on what we have seen so far. He was beaten at odds on when last seen out at Clonmel in a three-mile Grade two race.

He was a grade three winning hurdler at Cork last season and he may well have just needed the run, but others are far more experienced already and this would be an adventure into the unknown.

SANDOR CLEGANE – PAUL NOLAN

Again he needs to improve and take another step forward. There was nothing wrong with his placed effort in a Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival where bumped into Good Land.

Paul Nolan will be pleased with what he saw and may feel that this extra couple of furlongs will suit his six-year-old gelding. He cannot be ruled out and may well play a part in the proceedings here.

FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU – GORDON ELLIOTT

Has won his last three races with the minimum of fuss and all over this trip and looks to be Gordon Elliott’s best chance of ending his hoodoo in this particular race.

He took the step up into Grade two company in his stride when seeing off the well regarded Letsbeclearaboutit. All of his best form has come with plenty of give in the ground and the form has already been franked by the runner up. Definetley not out of this.

ABSOLUTE NOTIONS – GORDON ELLIOTT

Showed genuine improvement to finish runner up to Good Land over a shorter trip at the Dublin Racing Festival but is clearly going the right way.

He will obviously need to improve again on what we have seen so far. If you like Sandor Clegane for this, then you would also have to give this fella a second look as he finished in front of him at Leopardstown.

MONTY’S STAR – HENRY DE BROMHEAD

Improved dramatically from his first to his second start this season and put a dent in the aspirations of Hiddenvalley Lake last time out at Clonmel.

Minella Indo used that same race as a stepping stone to success here and no surprise if this Henry De Bromhead trained runner follows in the footsteps of his former stablemate.

Ticks The Right Boxes?

2023 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Tips & Key Trends

Monty’s Star looks the right type that can carry on his improvement. It was something of a shock that he turned over his better fancied stablemate the other week, but he is clearly a smart type.

His trainer took the same route with Minella Indo back in 2019 and it could well pay dividends.

Corbett’s Cross is a likeable type and could well give the selection something to think about and Gordon Elliott seems to hold stronger claims this time around with Favori De Champdou.

Key Trends

• 8 of the past 11 winners either won or were placed in a bumper race
• 6 of the last 8 winners were Irish trained
• 13 of the last 17 winners finished first or second last time out

Odds With Paddy Power – correct at time of publication

• 7/2 Corbetts Cross
• 7/2 Three Card Brag
• 6/1 Embassy Gardens
• 8/1 Hiddenvalley Lake
• 10/1 Sandor Clegane
• 10/1 Monty’s Star
• 10/1 Favori de Champdou
• 12/1 Shanbally Kid