'I'm sweet on him and he's a massive price' - focus on wide-open Albert Bartlett

2.30 Cheltenham
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Embryonic chasers engage over three miles on drying ground in the Albert Bartlett. That sentence alone strikes fear in punters, which is heightened by a roll of honour that includes six double-figure-priced winners in the last seven years.

The only exception is Monkfish, who ran out a narrow victor last season in a red-hot edition that has produced numerous top-class talents, not least fourth-home Thyme Hill. The need for an experienced and battle-hardened novice is no longer the norm, with this race having become a hotbed for inexperienced future Gold Cup challengers.

Top of that list this time is Stattler, who isn't bred to relish a stamina test but continues to shape as if a trip in excess of 3m would unlock a new level. His ability has never been in question – talent allowed him to make a winning bumper debut over an inadequate trip last year – but he has repeatedly shown a lack of tactical speed since.

He was initially set to go hurdling last year and chasing this term, such was the keenness of his connections to try him under ideal conditions, but a patient approach is beginning to reap rewards. Following an impressive Leopardstown victory in December, when rider Paul Townend was able to wind up the pace to make it a test of stamina, he proved his worth by taking third on his first outing in Grade 1 company.

Further indication that he wanted this trip was on show that day as he was readily outpaced by Gaillard Du Mesnil in the closing stages before sticking on for third.

One place behind was Fakiera, who lost his position a long way from home but stuck on gamely in first-time cheekpieces to pick up minor money. There shouldn't be much between the pair again – 2lb splits them on ratings – and the market echoes that assessment.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Vanillier finished a distant tenth that day and will largely go unconsidered in the market as a result, but his previous efforts warrant utmost respect and he doesn't have much to find on official ratings. He is a dark horse with a championship pace sure to suit.

Adrimel and Barbados Buck's will undoubtedly show their best form as novice chasers next season but rate high among the Brits on recent form. Adrimel's scant regard for hurdles is yet to catch him out but Cheltenham has – his sole defeat was a 40-length hammering in last year's Champion Bumper. He has a point to prove at the track.

Barbados Buck's also achieved his lowest RPR at this venue (seventh on his debut), although he has since proved he is a good-ground performer and therefore that defeat on heavy is easily excused. A multiple winner over the trip and freshened up since a flu jab in January, he is expected to make a gallant bid for the four-timer. Keep him on your radar.

Given the run of outsiders and the likelihood of decent ground, it would be folly to rule out the prolific Streets Of Doyen. The course-and-distance winner beat Flooring Porter in October and evidently didn't handle the trip or ground on his reappearance from a lengthy break last month.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Pedigree pointer to Nicholls getting off mark

With the Albert Bartlett's fine record for producing high-class stayers of the future, it seems an oddity that trainer Paul Nicholls has yet to win the race.

Nicholls will look to put that right with Barbados Buck's, who certainly has the perfect pedigree for the course and distance as he hails from the family of Big Buck's.

Barbados Buck's carries the famous Stewart family colours forever associated with the four-time Stayers' Hurdle hero and he appears to have inherited his relative's stamina as he has won all three of his starts since being stepped up to three miles.

Nicholls also saddles unbeaten hurdler Threeunderthrufive, winner of his last four starts and on a clear upward curve.

The six-year-old was named in tribute to owner Max McNeill's golfing father Ted, who began a round in the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in spectacular style – three shots under par after five holes.

Nicholls said: "It's a competitive-looking race but they're both lovely horses and lovely chasers for the future. Both should run nicely. I don't think either will mind the good ground and they seem in good shape. They'll stay as well."

Another person eager to win the race the first time is owner Ronnie Bartlett, whose potato company sponsors the Grade 1.

Already on the board this week with National Hunt Chase winner Galvin, Bartlett is responsible for forecast favourite Stattler, one of two chances alongside N'Golo for two-time winning trainer Willie Mullins.

Field day for outsiders

Don't be put off one at a big price as there have been shocks aplenty in this race, with winners at 50-1 and 33-1 twice since the last successful favourite in 2013. Last season Monkfish (5-1) ended a run of double-figure-priced winners stretching back six years.

What the rest say

Tom Lacey, trainer of Adrimel
His best form has come on a soft surface and I'd prefer a bit more juice in the ground, but with the step up to three miles he might get away with it. The cheekpieces worked wonders at Warwick last time.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Alaphilippe and Ask A Honey Bee
Alaphilippe has done nothing wrong and my only slight concern would be the ground, but Paddy [Brennan] thinks he'll be fine on it. He looks like he has the right profile; he's the right age and has had plenty of runs for us. You can put a line through Ask A Honey Bee's last run at Doncaster and he'll benefit from nicer ground. We're putting cheekpieces on him. If they turn up and run their races, they'll give us a good run for our money.

Rebecca Curtis, trainer of Beatthebullet and Pats Fancy
This isn't always a race for the favourites and they both have chances. Pats Fancy was second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in December and you can forget his last run as the ground was horrendous. Beatthebullet was running well in a Grade 2 until Paul Nicholls' horse fell in front of him and he has stamina to burn.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Castle Robin
He's tough and consistent and has run well this season. I probably ran him a bit too soon after the Lanzarote last time at Doncaster, but he ran well and has been freshened up. It's a tough task but there's no standout in the race.

Denise Foster, trainer of Fakiera and Torygraph
Fakiera has some good form to his name and the way he finished his race at Leopardstown would suggest a stamina test like this will be right up his street. Torygraph has really come into his own since stepping up in trip. He's a strong stayer who won't mind better ground. We think he's got a very solid chance.

Willie Mullins, trainer of N'Golo and Stattler
Being by Galileo, N'Golo might benefit from this rise in trip and it will hopefully help him jump well. He has a good profile for this race, he has six or seven runs under his belt and hopefully will be relaxed enough to see it out. He has an each-way chance. Stattler could cap a great week for Ronnie Bartlett. He’s doing everything right at home and has been doing everything right on the racetrack all year. He’s in good form and has a great chance. I think he’s crying out for this trip and this type of race. He has the experience.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Oscar Elite
He started the season really well and got to a mark of 140 but has just underperformed a little recently. He's a light-framed horse, so the better ground might help him, and it looks a wide-open Albert Bartlett without a standout. On ratings he deserves to be in it.

John McConnell, trainer of Streets Of Doyen
His form stacks up and this race has been the long-term plan. I'm sweet on his chance. There's no doubt he's coming in under the radar a little bit but he’s a massive price. The race will suit him and he’ll love the drying ground. We're really looking forward to it.

Ben Pauling, trainer of The Cob
We supplemented him on Saturday. He won the River Don pretty easily and is probably our best chance of the week. He's come through his preparations faultlessly and will go well if he handles the quicker ground.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Vanillier
He ran no race at all at the Dublin Racing Festival but he came home a really sick horse. He has bounced back and I'm really happy with him. I'm hopeful of a big run. He wouldn’t like the ground to get too good.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

Friday's race previews:

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Henrietta Knight: I can't really see who is going to beat Al Boum Photo (Members' Club)

1.20 Cheltenham: Tom Collins breaks down a major match-up between Zanahiyr and Tritonic

1.55 Cheltenham: stick with Mullins and Skelton to solve puzzle in typically difficult handicap

3.05 Cheltenham: Al Boum Photo bids to join jumping legends as he chases historic hat-trick

Can shy champion Al Boum Photo create Cheltenham Gold Cup history? (Members' Club)

3.40 Cheltenham: O'Sullivan confident It Came To Pass can successfully defend Cheltenham crown

4.15 Cheltenham: can Willie Mullins extend his superiority in mares' festival races to the chase?

4.50 Cheltenham: will switch of festival plan pay off for JP McManus and 'Ballymore horse'?

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