Archie Watson's Albert Bartlett hopeful has Nick Scholfield 'really excited'

Nick Scholfield is relishing the prospect of partnering Stag Horn at Cheltenham next month and believes the five-year-old will benefit from a step up in trip against his Albert Bartlett rivals.

The jockey, who is also set to team up with Santini in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on the same Friday of the festival, was on board when Stag Horn landed the Grade 2 Leamington Novices' Hurdle by two lengths at Warwick.

"It's exciting," Scholfield said about the assignment for Stag Horn in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, for which he is a top-priced 16-1.

"I had a great ride in the Leamington and the form has been franked by the second, Gentleman At Arms, running well in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon last time. We beat him by a few lengths and the step up in trip should help Stag Horn.

"He's done nothing wrong and he's thrived since going hurdling. He feels in great order. I sat on him this week and I'm really excited."

Archie Watson believes Stag Horn, owned by Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib, has solid claims of providing him with his first top-level success over jumps.

"We're under no illusions but you have to say he has a chance," the trainer said.

Archie Watson: bidding for a first top-level success over jumpsCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's very exciting for the owners and everyone in the yard to have a horse who is hopefully going to Cheltenham with a viable chance. He did everything we asked of him at Warwick and Nick, who will ride him next month, was amazed at how well he jumped that day.

"He was green in the straight looking around and I’m sure he'll come on again for that. He's able to sustain a similar type of gallop that he does on the Flat over these extended trips over hurdles. He jumps that well I wouldn’t be afraid to be jumping a fence next season.

"I've always felt he wants three miles so hopefully he'll take another step forward again in the Albert Bartlett. If he jumps as well as we know he can, I hope he can put a bit of pressure on the others.

"We have purposely left him fresh, and, as he's only had two runs this winter, I would say Cheltenham and Aintree are on the agenda and I hope he would be very competitive in those sorts of races.

"I'd be delighted with anything good or softer. He's gone through heavy ground like a jet ski so I won't mind if the heavens open."

Nick Scholfield: will partner Stag Horn and SantiniCredit: Edward Whitaker

It could be a big week for Scholfield, who is also set to partner the Polly Gundry-trained Santini in the Gold Cup. The ten-year-old, who was narrowly denied in the Grade 1 in 2020, was second behind Chantry House in the Cotswold Chase last time.

"I sat on him on Saturday," said the jockey, who won last season's Grand Annual aboard Sky Pirate.

"Polly is doing a lot of work with him. He's clearly still got the ability after finishing behind Chantry House in the Cotswold Chase and came close to winning in 2020."

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