Cheltenham 2025: Demand for a new Albert Bartlett selection

A hole needs filling in my antepost book for Cheltenham 2025 and there's a replacement I'm eager to get on board well before the Dublin Racing Festival in just over three weeks, as I can see his price shortening considerably in the meantime.

It pains me to write, for I think he's tailor-made for the race, but it looks like Ballygunner Castle - my very first antepost tip for Cheltenham 2025 - will not line up in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in March.

After winning a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in late November, I was hopeful the Lawlor's Of Naas would be the six-year-old's next assignment. That appeared the plan until, for whatever reason, he wasn't declared.

Instead, Willie Mullins has the son of Soldier Of Fortune in the Moscow Flyer over two miles at Punchestown this weekend and I expect him to entered again for the rearranged Munster Hurdle at Clonmel on January 15.

He's also not in the Grade 1 over 2m6f at the Dublin Racing Festival, so it's crystal clear what connections are thinking regarding his immediate future.

So, there's an opening for a new selection in the three-mile novice hurdle and I like the look of another Mullins inmate - FINAL DEMAND. Appropriate.

The six-year-old son of Walk In The Park fetched €230k (£191k) as a store in June 2022 and 21 months later won stylishly between the flags, earning a move to Closutton.

The dogs were barking about this one before his rules debut in a 2m5f maiden hurdle at Limerick over Christmas and he certainly looked the part as he bolted up by 15 lengths under a motionless Danny Mullins.

The horse in second, Timmy Tuesday, finished a long way behind Jasmin De Vaux a few weeks prior, but that was his return from a 739-day layoff and he clearly improved plenty for it. Note, he was beaten just over six lengths by the now 158-rated Inothewayurthinkin on his hurdling debut at Cork in November '22.

Will The Wise, third behind Final Demand at Limerick but nearly 20 lengths ahead of the rest of the field, was also coming off a heavy defeat - to subsequent Lawlor's Of Naas hero The Yellow Clay in Grade 2 company at Naas - but he might also be best judged on his previous efforts, including a well-advertised bumper win and a respectable run in defeat to the useful Irancy.

They're no world-beaters, don't get me wrong, but they're not complete trees at the same time. It's hard to be critical given the manner of victory.

I loved everything about this performance. He travelled powerfully - reminiscent of Ballyburn with his low head carriage - jumped superbly and found generously while everything else faded. He looked like he could have gone round again.

It was the sort of performance that has people talking about the Turners Novices' Hurdle. I agree he looks classy enough to go down that route, but that's now how I see things panning out.

If Salvator Mundi wins the Moscow Flyer as expected this weekend, it's odds-on he's Mullins' big Supreme hope and the ride of Paul Townend. Then, all being well it's Kopek Des Bordes v Kaid D'authie in the Grade 1 over two miles at the DRF. If the former does the business, or is beaten by a small margin, I'd say he's booked his ticket to the Turners - likely with Townend on board.

That leaves the winner of the 2m6f race to go for the Albert Bartlett, as Mullins' recent winners Dancing City (2024) and Minella Cocooner (2022) did.

Looking at the entries, I think Final Demand could go off favourite in that. The Yellow Clay would if he turned up, but his trainer Gordon Elliott has suggested it'll be straight to Cheltenham for him. Ignore him and it's the likes of Wingmen, Supersundae, Sounds Victorious and Bleu De Vassy that pose the biggest threat to the selection. I'd fancy him strongly against all four.

Victory in the Nathaniel Lacy would almost certainly catapult him to favouritism for the Bartlett, especially if The Yellow Clay is still being touted for the shorter race. I like The Big Westerner but her form wouldn't be comparable, while the nearest rivals in the betting are Jalon D'oudairies (yet to be seen this season) and Potters Charm (Turners bound).

Odds of 14/1 could look very generous in under a months' time.

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