Racecards
13:55 Cheltenham
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £25,000 added
- Winner: £14,238
- 2nd: £5,342
- 3rd: £2,675
- 4th: £1,332
- Form 311-113
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last
- Form 18-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer M Bradstock
- Jockey Matthew Batchelor
made all, came towards stands side rail before last, soon pressed, ridden and stayed on strongly to forge clear flat
- Form 31122-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer Dr R D P Newland
- Jockey R Johnson
held up in touch on inside, hit 9th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before last, tailed off
- Form 413-121
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey A P McCoy
in touch on outside, driven after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last
- Form 321F-41
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up behind in touch, headway on outside after 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden and effort between last 2, no extra in 3rd flat
Aerial (FR)
28- Form 41412-6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up in rear in touch, headway on outside approaching 2 out, effort to challenge on stands side rail last, soon ridden, kept on same pace, well held flat
- Form 2PP0P-0
- Age 12
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
tracked winner, pushed along 9th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and behind
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The chasers Aerial and Mon Mome look worth opposing against some up-and-coming novices in this. Boyfromnowhere likes to force the pace and has already won at Uttoxeter and Ffos Las but it's a worry that he was easily picked off by the exposed Awaywiththegreys at Chepstow in between. The latter was no match for CONEYGREE over 2m5f here next time in a race in which According To Trev could only muster the one pace in third. The longer trip today will suit Nigel Twiston-Davies' gelding but it's still difficult to see him reversing the placings with Mark Bradstock's impressive winner, who can complete the hat-trick over timber. Useful pointer Ardkilly Witness made a winning start over hurdles at Towcester and is open to improvement and Midnight Appeal got off the mark when beating a previous winner at Hereford but Thomas Crapper may be out of his depth.
Formwatch
According To Trev (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, lost 2nd last, no impression flat, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Coneygree (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Coneygree 8-1 (11-4) Made all, driven after 2 out, ridden and stayed on strongly to forge clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (1) sft in Nov beating Bondage (11-7) by 7l, 9 ran.
Ardkilly Witness (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Raced wide, pressed leader, led 5th, made rest, came clear from 2 out, easily, won at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Tigresse Bleue (10-5) by 5l, 15 ran.
Boyfromnowhere (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Jumped right, made all, went right after 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating High Ho Sheriff (10-12) by 11l, 8 ran.
Midnight Appeal 10-3 (10-12) Always prominent, led after 3 out, clear last, pushed out, won at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Return Spring (11-5) by 3l, 12 ran.
Aerial (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway to chase leaders 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 18, well behind Al Ferof (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Mon Mome (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, slow and ridden 14th, never on terms after, 10th of 16, well behind Monbeg Dude (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Thomas Crapper 15-8fav (11-4) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway next, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 14l behind Two Rockers (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.