Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Made light work of Thedeviluno in his only bumper (yielding); very nearly won a big-field maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas but he was left for dead by The Passing Wife when odds of 2-5 in a small field at Punchestown (stepped up to 2m3f, heavy); hopes rest on whether this is more his trip, and pedigree offers mixed messages; first-time tongue-tie.

His bumper form was nothing to shout about but he's gone 3-3 over hurdles; it wasn't a strong Grade 1 he won at the Dublin Racing Festival (2m6f, heavy; won on good) but he bombed clear to win it by some 8l despite taking a firm grip, and his previous defeat of Thedeviluno looks all the better now; there's a nagging concern that his keen-going tendencies might come at a cost in this race, but other than that he's solid.

Beaten in three bumpers for Fergal O'Brien; unbeaten in two hurdles for Willie Mullins and the horse he made light work of at Thurles last time (2m6f, yielding) has since finished second in a big-field Class 2 handicap at Haydock; Paul Townend was highly complimentary about him last time but he still rides Doctor Steinberg; still, this future chaser remains an unknown quantity.

Winning 3m pointer on slow ground and second in a bumper on yielding; both hurdle runs on soft or heavy; it was a very winnable maiden he was found in November but he then ran quite well in a 2m4f Grade 1 at Naas, surprisingly staying on again for third having raced with the choke out early doors; retains potential, and especially over this trip, provided he settles.

Near enough a year separated his two runs over hurdles, easily winning the latest when odds-on for a maiden at last year's Galway festival in July (good); light on experience in this scene but he's battle-hardened on the Flat and his third in September's Group 2 Doncaster Cup (2m2f; good to soft) advertises his class and stamina; it's unwise to put a line through him, for all that he's a 9yo.