Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The River Don Novices' Hurdle) 2011

3.25 Doncaster

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The River Don Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £14,238

Advice: 1 pt Gullinbursti w/o Rocky Creek (13/8 Paddy Power)

Rival D’Estruval: Looked a handicapper to follow when winning well at Aintree in October but higher mark since proved above him and conceding weight all round here to less exposed rivals in an unenviable task.

African Broadway: Sprung a shock at Newbury under cover of fog when running out a 16 length winner of Newbury bumper and then backed that up with impressive win at Chepstow in maiden hurdle; Disappointment in only start at Graded level puts a downer on his chances here and stamina not guaranteed on his first run at 3 miles.

Gullinbursti: Two from two over hurdles this season, winning at Exeter in good style before giving plenty of weight (a stone) and a beating to Grand Vision at Hereford: That leaves him very closely matched with Rocky Creek and should take a big hand if showing same attitude under pressure that he did earlier on in the season.

Lovcen: Made promising enough hurdling debut (16 & ¼ lengths behind Rocky Creek) although he was clearly improved when landing Towcester novice by 17 lengths; Should be respected here upped in trip (always shaped like that would suit latest) and can go well for yard in good form.

Same Difference: Got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking and not totally digraced behind very good sorts (under penalty) at Newbury next time (where very soft ground may not have helped him); Might have been exposed slightly last time out in Grade 2 company.

Rocky Creek: Well fancied by stable to make a winning debut at Exeter, where he was edged out of things late on (10 lengths ahead of Grand Vision, who was second getting 14lbs from Gullinbursti); Big form chance based on that and as a brother to Tell Massini, he’s entitled to improve for the step up to three miles; Interesting.

VERDICT: A fascinating little event. GULLINBURSTI and Rocky Creek are practically inseparable on a line through Grand Vision, but it was hard not to be impressed with the way that Emma Lavelle’s charge gave a stone and a beating to the main form horse there and he gets the vote, using the betting without market. Both can beat Lovcen, who’s likely to improve for the step up in trip based on his wide margin Towcester win, a score on which African Broadway has questions to answer.