Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices' Hurdle) 2012

1.55 Cheltenham

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

Winner £14,238

Advice: 3 pts win Coneygree (6/5 Sportingbet, BetVictor)

According To Trev: Changed hands for £30,000 after Irish point win and won first two starts for this year in good style, particularly impressive at Worcester before completing the hat trick here; Well beaten behind Coneygree and can’t see him turning the tables in any great capacity here.

Coneygree: Half-brother to Carruthers (same connections) who showed similar qualities when romping Grade 2 here over 2m4f (soft) last time, drawing right away from several previous winners in behind to make it three wins from four; Step up to 3m threatens to bring yet more out of him.

Arkdilly Witness: Second in Cork hunter chase on debut under Rules in April and winning start for new yard in Towcester novice hurdle last month, looking as if there was denfitely more to come for a trip; Should go well here.

Boyfromnowhere: Two from four under rules but easily looked his most useful when bolting up by 5 lengths at Ffos Las on his first try over 3m (soft), an effort that marks him down as worthy of some serious respect.

Midnight Appeal: One of three more than useful chasers reverting to hurdles here (136 over fences) and done himself credit with two decent efforts over hurdles this season, second of them a pretty useful win at Hereford latest; This looks a lot tougher though.

Aerial: Best of these over fences easily (fourth in Paddy Power last season, won two valuable handicaps over that C&D) and best in at weight getting 7lbs from Coneygree but stamina questions to answer on this ground if it’s a right slog; Here after well beaten sixth in Paddy Power but sure to be fitter this time around.

Mon Mome: Once third in this for his preparation for the Grand National in Spring, but gone backwards since and best left at age of 12.

VERDICT: CONEYGREE looked like a potential star when romping a C&D Grade 2 over 2m4f here at the Open meeting and with the step up to 3m likely to improve him, he can see of a similar field. If Aerial’s on form he’s a danger getting 7lbs but stamina is a question for him in this ground and the rest, while useful don’t have the selections potential.