Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Odds: Mullins dominates the field

The Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (14:50) is the longest novice hurdle run at the Festival, after being introduced in 2005. It's certainly not been a good race for favourite-backers of late, with At Fishers Cross being the last to oblige back in 2013.

Below are the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Odds of the main contenders, and this is an Extra Place Race, so Betfred are paying 4 places instead of 3 at 1/5 the odds for all each-way bets.

Readin Tommy Wrong @ 9/4

The Willie Mullins-trained Readin Tommy Wrong leads the betting with Betfred.

The six-year-old has tasted victory in his last two outings at Cork and Naas, and Paul Townend will take the reins for the first time on Friday.

Dancing City @ 11/2

Another Willie Mullins entry is follows closely behind in the betting market, and that's Dancing City.

The seven-year-old enjoyed a four-and-a-half length victory at Navan in December, before edging out stablemate Predators Gold at last month's Dublin Racing Festival. The extra distance should suit him, so he's got a great chance here.

Gidleigh Park @ 6/1

Harry Fry's Gidleigh Park, who will be ridden by Johnny Burke, can be backed at 6/1 for this race.

Fry has won this race before with Unowhatimeanharry back in 2016, and the six-year-old gelding is currently unbeaten after a bumper and three hurdles races, making him a bright prospect for this one.

High Class Hero @ 7/1

A third entry for Willie Mullins with High Class Hero, who is available to back at 7/1.

The seven-year-old has won of all five starts under Rules, with four of those over hurdles. A 2m5f heavy-ground Limerick success in October remains the highpoint for him, and he's very much one to consider here.

Captain Teague @ 8/1

The six-year-old was third in the Champion Bumper last season, and he's been able to translate that ability to hurdles, winning the Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow on his first attempt, as well as the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December.

Lecky Watson @ 10/1

Willie Mullins' fourth entry comes in the form of Lecky Watson, who finished fourth in the Champion Bumper here last year.

The six-year-old made a winning hurdles debut at Thurles in November, and has enjoyed placed efforts since behind Supreme winner Slade Steel at Navan, and Readin Tommy Wrong in a Grade 1 contest at Naas.

Johnnywho @ 12/1

Jonjo O'Neill's Johnnywho is 14/1 with Betfred to win the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, and the seven-year-old was successful in a Taunton bumper and a Carlisle Novice Hurdle in hist first two starts under Rules.

He has since finished fourth in the Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury, as well as in a Grade 2 contest here in December, so will be eager to bounce back.

The Jukebox Man @ 16/1

The Ben Pauling-trained The Jukebox Man can be backed at 16/1, and the six-year-old made an excellent start under Rules, winning a bumper and two hurdles contests all at Ffos Las.

He finished third behind Captain Teague in the Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury last time out, so worth considering here.

Chigorin @ 16/1

Henry de Bromhead's Chigorin, who will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore, is next in the betting, and he six-year-old landed his maiden win at Fairyhouse in December.

Interestingly, the De Bromhead/Blackmore combination triumphed in this race with Minella Indo in 2019, so this outside may be worth keeping an eye on.

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights