2021 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Tips - Three Horses To Follow

We take a look through the ante-post betting for the 2021 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and highlight three horses to follow during the new jumps season.

The Albert Bartlett is the last of the Grade Ones for novice hurdlers during the Cheltenham Festival. Run over a three-mile trip, this gruelling race has produced many an upset down the years. Not in 2020, however, as the top four in the market fought out the thrilling finish, with Willie Mullins’ Monkfish coming out on top.

Let’s take a look through the odds for the 2021 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and highlight three possible winners for punters to follow this season.

Willie Mullins’ charge went into the Champion Bumper as the firm favourite, having cantered to victory in the Grade Two flat race at the Dublin Racing Festival. On the day, Appreciate It was beaten for speed by Ferny Hollow, who quickened up in eye-catching fashion to win by two-and-a-half lengths.

Where Ferny Hollow looked a horse who would do well over two miles, maybe two-and-a-half at a push, Appreciate It has three-miler written all over him. This strapping six-year-old won between the flags as a four-year-old and I think the further they go over the hurdles, the more effective he’ll be. If you're going to back one horse to win the 2021 Albert Bartlett right now, back Appreciate It.

David Pipe watched Israel Champ produce two outstanding performances in bumpers last season. First at Cheltenham, where Tom Scudamore’s mount made all to win a Listed contest. Another bold, front-running display followed at Ascot, where Israel Champ carried a penalty to victory in excellent fashion.

Scudamore’s mount went straight to the front in the Champion Bumper, and took them along at a decent lick. Sadly, once getting passed, Israel Champ looked very green and novicey, trailing over the line with just a couple of rivals behind him. 

That was the second time Israel Champ has spat his dummy out if things didn’t go his own way. Pipe’s charge performed similar theatrics on his stable debut at Worcester. A 12-length point-to-point triumph – for which he was awarded an excellent RPR of 94 – suggests this horse has a massive future over hurdles, and stepping up beyond the minimum trip will certainly help Israel Champ settle a little better.  He’s got Albert Bartlett written all over him.

I’m shocked to see Farouk D’Alene sitting so far adrift of market-leader Appreciate It, considering what he produced last season. Gordon Elliott’s charge won both of his starts on the level, winning first-time out by 17 lengths, before showing great battling qualities to beat the talented Fire Attack by a head.

Like the two I’ve already mentioned, Farouk D’Alene has winning point-to-point experience, registering an RPR of 93 during an 18-length romp at Belclare. Gordon Elliott has a decent record in the Albert Bartlett and Farouk D’Alene is built like a strong stayer. He could end up playing a starring role on day four of the Cheltenham Festival.