Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Prestige Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 6m 1.0s

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Selected odds by:

Coole Hall³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 142| D

6/1

Winner of three of his five starts over hurdles in maiden/novice company. Stays well and while this is much his stiffest test so far, he has fair claims with underfoot conditions not expected to be a problem.

Form: 12-1211

Chef Des Obeaux³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145

13/8

Ran into a talented stable companion on his seasonal reappearance, but has won both his subsequent races and was particularly impressive on his latest start at Kempton when stepped up in trip. Leading contender for powerful yard.

Form: 57/2-211

Global Stage^p1⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132

33/1

Faced a straightfoward task to get off the mark at Ayr on his seasonal reappearance, but was a distant last of four on his next outing at Cheltenham. Something may have been amiss that day, but he has questions to answer in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 242F-14

Golan Fortune^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: P W Middleton| OR: 141

7/2

Tough and genuine sort who boasts good form in handicaps and ran a personal best in a valuable contest at Sandown last time. This surface may be softer than ideal, but he is so reliable that it will be a surprise if he fails to be in the shake-up.

Form: 01F112

Just Your Type⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon

25/1

Irish point-to-point winner who made a pleasing start over hurdles when runner-up at Ffos Las. Steps up in class and distance, but is promising and one to keep an eye on with the future in mind.

Form: 1-2

Piri Massini²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| D

33/1

Landed an Irish point-to-point in November, 2015, but did not race again until winning on his hurdling/stable debut at Fakenham last month. Much more needed in this better race, but upwardly-mobile yard remains in good form.

Form: P1/1

Shannon Bridge²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

7/2

Successful in a Bangor maiden hurdle before finishing a close second at Southwell and Doncaster. Going the right way, but slightly more is required against one or two of these rivals.

Form: 54-122

Uppertown Prince⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 135| BF

12/1

Irish point-to-point winner who won on his hurdling debut at Bangor on his first start for this stable. Seemed to stay well enough when second over 2m7f at the same track next time, but that form leaves him with a bit to find.

Form: 61-12

Forecasts

Chef Des Obeaux (13/8), Golan Fortune (7/2), Shannon Bridge (7/2), Coole Hall (6/1), Uppertown Prince (12/1), Just Your Type (25/1), Piri Massini (33/1), Global Stage (33/1)

A decent turn-out for this valuable prize and stamina will be very much at a premium. Chef Des Obeaux looked good when stepped up in trip at Kempton last time and represents a yard brimming with talented novices. He is sure to be popular with punters, but faces no easy task against GOLAN FORTUNE, who has been mixing it in competitive handicaps and ran a blinder at Sandown last time. The selection is game and reliable and can return to winning ways. Coole Hall stays well and enters the equation along with Shannon Bridge and the unexposed Piri Massini.