'Why not have a go?' - prolific handicapper supplemented for Albert Bartlett

Connections have paid £5,500 to add the Tony Martin-trained prolific handicap hurdler Good Time Jonny to Friday's Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle for which 25 remained at Saturday's confirmation stage.

A finish of fourth or better would be required to return a profit on the investment, but the seven-year-old's owners are playing with house money after he won three of his last four starts, including the Paddy Power "I'd Love A Can But Pints Are Cheaper" Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, which carried a first prize of €59,000.

"We've decided to supplement him for the Albert Bartlett," said Martin. "He had an entry in the Coral Cup [on the Old course], but we just felt the New course would suit him well, and he enjoyed three miles last time at the Dublin Racing Festival. If we were going to Cheltenham at all, this looked the right race for him.

"The lads who own him were mad keen to go to Cheltenham. I had Aintree in the back of my head all the time, but there's only one Cheltenham. They're very sweet on the idea and the race suits, so why not have a go?

"He's travelled across the water a few times and has been around Cheltenham before, albeit that was on the Old course. He has good experience of being around handicap hurdles and hopefully that will help."

Allaho and Ahoy Senor were the most notable absentees from Saturday's confirmation stage for the Gold Cup, effectively confirming the Ryanair and Brown Advisory as their only targets, while Conflated was left in the race despite connections confirming earlier this week the Ryanair will be his target.

The main contenders all stood their ground, with last year's one-two Minella Indo and A Plus Tard, two-time winner Al Boum Photo, King George hero Tornado Flyer, National Hunt Chase winner Galvin and Protektorat's fellow British challenger Chantry House left in Friday's feature.

There are only 13 remaining in the Triumph Hurdle, for which the Willie Mullins-trained trio of Vauban, Il Etait Temps and Icare Allen and Gordon Elliott duo of Pied Piper and Fil Dor – who between them occupy the first five places in the betting – remain engaged.

The British challenge is headed by Knight Salute, Doctor Parnassus and the Gary Moore-trained pair of Porticello and Teddy Blue.

Ten are left in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase, with novice Riviere D'Etel, who was a 5-1 shot, and 16-1 shot Put The Kettle On the most notable absentees.

Riviere D'Etel remains in the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase while Put The Kettle On, who has won the Arkle and Champion Chase at the last two festivals, still has the option of defending her crown in the Queen Mother.

A total of 53 remain in the County Hurdle, with 23 left in the St James's Palace Festival Challenge Cup and 59 in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle which will close the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. State Man, ante-post favourite for both the County Hurdle and Martin Pipe, remains in both races.

Sir Gerhard heading for Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

Sir Gerhard hardened in price for Wednesday's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle after Cheveley Park's Richard Thompson all but confirmed he would target the opening race on day two instead of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle 24 hours earlier.

The seven-year-old is a top-priced 4-5 for Wednesday's contest and 9-4 for the shorter Supreme.

"It looks like we're going for the Ballymore," said Thompson. Explaining the decision he added: "He has the ability over both trips and it looks the easier race on paper."

Cheltenham Festival day four: full card, entries and betting

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