Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Registered as the Spa Novices' Hurdle, but sponsored by 'The Potato People' since 2008, the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race run over 2 miles, 7 furlongs and 213 yards on the New Course at Cheltenham in March. The race was established, as a Grade 2 contest, in 2005, when the Cheltenham Festival was extended from three to four days, and promoted to Grade 1 status three years later. Previously, the longest race for novice hurdlers at the Chelteham Festival was the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, a.k.a. the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle, over 2 miles and 5 furlongs.

Of course, the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle is restricted to horses, aged four years and upwards, who start the season without a win over hurdles. Consequently, the leading 'bumper' performers from the previous season – who have demonstrated ability, but remain unexposed over obstacles – typically feature highly in the early ante-post lists. The 2023 renewal is scheduled for 2.50pm on Friday, March 17 and the bookmakers currently bet 10/1 the field; American Mike, trained by Gordon Elliott, who finished second in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, heads the market.

Obviously, no horse can win the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle more than once, but the most successful winner, subsequently, was Bobs Worth, trained by Nicky Henderson. The stoutly bred son of Bob Back justified favouritism in 2011, but returned to the Cheltenham Festival to win the RSA Chase in 2012 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2013. County Carlow trainer Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in the history of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle with three victories, courtesy of Penhill (2017), Monkfish (2020) and The Nice Guy (2022).