Racecards
14:40 Doncaster
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The River Don Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £27,500 added
- Winner: £15,661
- 2nd: £5,877
- 3rd: £2,942
- 4th: £1,466
- Form 223-311
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
held up behind, ridden before 2 out, kept on and no impression
- Form 13-1122
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up towards rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous
- Form 2/626-71
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
prominent, weakened from before 3 out
- Form 51-3131
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey Ryan Mania
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden before last, led last 75 yards, caught post
- Form FU1-121
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey B S Hughes
led, pressed from 3 out, not fluent last, headed last 75 yards, rallied to regain lead post
- Form 23-51
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, no impression on leading pair
- Form 422-181
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey D Elsworth
held up towards rear, soon chased leaders in 3rd, ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on one pace from 2 out
- Form 1113
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey James Reveley
Withdrawn
In depth
Verdict
This Grade 2 has produced a few decent stayers down the years but usually over fences. Paul Nicholls won it with Neptune Collonges in 2006 and this year's entry, Aerial, has already won four times over the larger obstacles. Timesremembered only found one too good in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last month but, like Chepstow and Haydock winner Sausalito Sunrise, has to give a couple of pounds to his rivals. Haydock scorer Urban Hymn should stay the extra and is interesting while Warden Hill won over course and distance six weeks ago, though has more on his plate today. Walk On Al could also come up short but RACING PULSE will surely be thereabouts back over a longer trip. He couldn't quite match the pace of Aubusson and Regal Diamond over 2m5f at Cheltenham but won over 3m between the flags and has the beating of Newcastle scorer Blakemount on a line through Ballyalton.
Formwatch
Sausalito Sunrise (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, led before last, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Dec beating Matthew Riley (10-10) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Timesremembered (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Held up in last pair, not fluent 4th, headway to 3rd after 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, soon one pace and no impression when hit last, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Captain Cutter (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Aerial (FR) 8-15fav (10-12) Made all, not fluent 6th, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Demographic (10-2) by 6l, 5 ran.
Blakemount (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Made all, drew readily clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Greensalt (10-12) by 10l, 7 ran.
Urban Hymn (FR) 8-11fav (10-12) Made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Algernon Pazham (10-12) by 20l, 5 ran.
Walk On Al (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway into 3rd at 10th, led 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, kept on, won at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Gorsky Island (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Warden Hill (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden last, kept on to lead post, won at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Drop Out Joe (11-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Racing Pulse (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led 4th, mistake next, headed approaching 3 out, every chance approaching last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Aubusson (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft.