Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle 2018

[Kevloaf]

So, two of the top three in the Albert Bartlett clash today over 2m3f ... as I am sure everybody knows, the race has been dominated by Mullins/Elliott in recent times.

Last year Death Duty burst the bubble of Invitation Only and beat Monalee.

Previous winners like Bellshill (beat Tycoon Prince), No More Heroes (beat Shaneshill), Briar Hill, Pont Alexandre (Don Cossack fell), Boston Bob and Mikael D'haguenet

I think Cracking Smart will end up in this race regardless, I think Next Destination if he won today might stay at the intermediate trip, but he'd want to be winning quite well to do so.

Money is speaking for Next Destination which is usually a good sign and I actually thought Cracking Smart would be fav today. I would have had him as my selection, and if he is 2/1 I might back him, but not a significant wager.

I've backed Next Destination 'any race' at 10/1 and Cracking Smart at 14/1 for this race. I'd prefer CS to win today as he is also in a few speculative multiples (other novice races, other Elliott runners) but not a game changer.

What do people think about who will win today and where they might end up?

[Can't Catch Me]

Really looking forward to this and think ND will win myself. Not sure how helpful it will be toward deciding Cheltenham targets though. You'd think that if ND does win impressively, that would mean the Ballymore most likely, but considering how many horses Willie has for that race, and how few top class genuine staying novices he appears to have for the 3 miler, I still think ND will end up there as he splits the team up.

Assuming they have something decent for the Supreme, Getabird looks tailor made for the Ballymore, and then ND can be first pick in the AB. But say Reel Steel gets stuffed by Mengli Khan over Christmas, and Sayar disappoints, I suppose they could move Getabird back to 2m and then ND back for the Ballymore.

I just don't think we will have any better idea after today myself.

[Scooby91]

Really looking forward to this and think ND will win myself. Not sure how helpful it will be toward deciding Cheltenham targets though. You'd think that if ND does win impressively, that would mean the Ballymore most likely, but considering how many horses Willie has for that race, and how few top class genuine staying novices he appears to have for the 3 miler, I still think ND will end up there as he splits the team up.

Assuming they have something decent for the Supreme, Getabird looks tailor made for the Ballymore, and then ND can be first pick in the AB. But say Reel Steel gets stuffed by Mengli Khan over Christmas, and Sayar disappoints, I suppose they could move Getabird back to 2m and then ND back for the Ballymore.

I just don't think we will have any better idea after today myself.

Willie has plenty lined up for the bartlett already.
If ND wins won't find out just today as moves on to the lawlors hotel . He dosent need to win by far. Cracking smart is far superior to anything samcro has faced on the track as we will see today. Watch the gap back to the samcro form. All be it samcro won on a fine manner himself.

[Can't Catch Me]

Willie has plenty lined up for the bartlett already.
If ND wins won't find out just today as moves on to the lawlors hotel . He dosent need to win by far. Cracking smart is far superior to anything samcro has faced on the track as we will see today. Watch the gap back to the samcro form. All be it samcro won on a fine manner himself.

I’m sure he has got plenty lined up for it Scooby, but I don’t think he has anything with the class of Getabird or ND lurking, which makes me think these two are his best staying Novices and will be split up.

[Can't Catch Me]

Noticeable punt on ND today! Always a nice positive

[Scooby91]

I’m sure he has got plenty lined up for it Scooby, but I don’t think he has anything with the class of Getabird or ND lurking, which makes me think these two are his best staying Novices and will be split up.

It's possible but both look ballymore bound to me at this very early stage. A cruising speed and a change of gear over the shorter trip dosent often win the bartlett.

Ainsi va la vie
Brahma bull
Ballyward
Didero vallis
Fabulous saga
Duc de genievres
Dalko moriviere
Hey little boy
All want atleast 2m5+
Thats 6 different owners too. Ricci has plenty who would suit the bartlett

[Can't Catch Me]

Time will tell on all of those of course. Certainly think Brahma Bull is one to watch and certainly looks RR’s AB horse.

But I thought ND looked very one paced in the Bumper, and it was stamina that won him the race so easily last time. I don’t think he has a change of gear like Getabird does. Also a 3m point winner which helps.

I’m 50/50 st the min for ND I must admit and have most money on him in the any race markets.

[Kevloaf]

Cracking Smart definitely going 3m.... Next Destination Ballymore - as we thought before, played out as expected!

[Can't Catch Me]

Nice performance. Think his Hurdling looks quite slick. All about stamina again for me though. Think he might get left behind in a Ballymore and stay on too late. Cracking Smart certainly looks crying out for a trip.

[TheRowebot]

Need to see the quotes from connections but I was very impressed with that. No panic at all when Poli Roi went past, loads of horse under him. Could feasibly do either Ballymore or Potato race..

[Can't Catch Me]

Cracking Smart definitely going 3m.... Next Destination Ballymore - as we thought before, played out as expected!

Im not so sure Kev. 2m4f in that ground is probably about the same test as 3m on spring ground. The Ballymore is often won by Champion Hurdle horses and ND just doesn't strike me as that type. He's an RSA winner in waiting for me!

He's very classy though and think he will be tough to beat anywhere. Really, really like him, and I'd be surprised if Samcro doesn't need to come off the bridle up the hill to beat him if they do meet

[Kevloaf]

Nice performance. Think his Hurdling looks quite slick. All about stamina again for me though. Think he might get left behind in a Ballymore and stay on too late. Cracking Smart certainly looks crying out for a trip.

I think he looks much more likely to go Ballymore based on that?

Cracking Smart was outpaced ... think Poli Roi just tried to steal the race

Has he been cut for the Albert Bartlett too.... suppose we'll have to wait for some comments!

[Can't Catch Me]

Need to see the quotes from connections but I was very impressed with that. No panic at all when Poli Roi went past, loads of horse under him. Could feasibly do either Ballymore or Potato race..

Can't imagine quotes will help us much Rowebot! Something along the lines of 'He could step up no problem or stay at this trip no problem'

[TheRowebot]

Can't imagine quotes will help us much Rowebot! Something along the lines of 'He could step up no problem or stay at this trip no problem'

Very true although occasionally there is something meaningful.

[Can't Catch Me]

As I said before the race Kev, don't think we've learnt anything towards his Festival target, just that he's without doubt one of the leading novices. Will all depend on the rest of the team and how it all fits best for each race.