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In this 1xBet Ireland review, we will explain how to prepare for one of the most spectacular events of the Cheltenham Festival. We will also analyse the race statistics and key features to identify potential dark horses and find the markets with the most attractive odds.

The Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle has developed a reputation as one of the most demanding and unpredictable contests of the Cheltenham Festival.

Run over three miles on the New Course, it regularly produces shock results and big-priced horses hitting the frame. That profile makes it a fascinating race for National Hunt bettors willing to look beyond the obvious market leaders.

This year’s market is headed by a strong favourite.

Doctor Steinberg – class but a historical hurdle to overcome

Doctor Steinberg represents Willie Mullins, who is seeking a fifth victory in the last ten renewals of the race.

Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, he confirmed himself a high-class novice when running away with the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The manner of that eight-length victory was particularly impressive given he struggled to settle on heavy ground.

However, there is a notable historical trend.

Three of the last five Albert Bartlett winners contested the Leopardstown race, but all were beaten there. No horse has won both contests.

Pedigree adds another layer of intrigue.

His sire Doctor Dino has produced six Cheltenham winners across all meetings in the past two years. Mullins has enjoyed particular success with his progeny, including State Man, Sharjah, Dinoblue, Jade De Grugy, Murcia and Narciso Has.

Yet many of Doctor Dino’s best performers have excelled between two miles and two-and-a-half miles, leaving a small question mark about stamina for this demanding three-mile test.

Encouragingly, the dam’s side offers hope. Half-brothers Stay Humble and Smuggler’s Blues both possess winning form over three miles.

So while Doctor Steinberg brings the strongest form into the race, the trip and the Leopardstown trend give punters something to think about.

Thedeviluno – proven stamina and improving profile

One horse certain to attract support is Thedeviluno, trained by Paul Nolan.

Nolan’s only two runners in this race during the last decade finished second and third, so his record demands respect.

Thedeviluno made a big impression when defeating the subsequent Grade 1 winner Skylight Hustle on his hurdles debut.

He then finished second, beaten 4¾ lengths by Doctor Steinberg, in a Grade 2 at Naas.

That race has a strong historical link with this contest. Last year’s Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story was beaten five lengths in the same race, while Nolan previously won the Naas contest with Latest Exhibition, who later finished runner-up in this race.

Stepped up to three miles for the River Don Novices' Hurdle, Thedeviluno bolted up by five lengths, beating eight previous maiden or novice winners.

The River Don has also proved a useful pointer to Cheltenham: Stay Away Fay finished second there before winning the 2023 Albert Bartlett.

If Thedeviluno handles the unique demands of Cheltenham’s New Course, he must be considered a major contender.

Why big prices often win this race

Both Doctor Steinberg and Thedeviluno deserve serious respect.

However, history suggests caution about siding too heavily with the market leaders.

The average starting price of the last ten Albert Bartlett winners is 20.4-1, highlighting just how frequently outsiders land the race.

That makes this one of the Festival’s most attractive contests in which to search for value at bigger odds.

Jalon d'Oudairies – strong bumper form

One intriguing alternative is Jalon d'Oudairies.

He finished third in the 2024 Champion Bumper behind Jasmin De Vaux, who went on to win last season’s Albert Bartlett, and Romeo Coolio, now a three-time Grade 1 winner over fences this season.

That bumper form reads exceptionally well.

He was expected to win easily when sent off 1-10 last time in a weak race, but there were still positives to take from the performance.

By No Risk At All — sire of Festival winners Allaho, Epatante and Kopek Des Bordes — stamina for three miles remains the key question.

However, he did hold an entry in the 2m6f Grade 1 won by Doctor Steinberg before being withdrawn and previously won a point-to-point, suggesting the trip may not be beyond him.

Moneygarrow – the most interesting trend horse

Historically, certain trial races have proved particularly informative.

Seven of the 21 Albert Bartlett winners had previously run in either the Hyde, Bristol or Classic Novices’ Hurdles earlier in the same season.

The most interesting graduate from that group this year could be Moneygarrow, trained by Dan Skelton.

A point-to-point and bumper winner, he finished second to the exciting Windbeneathmywings in a Listed bumper at Ascot last season.

He was thrown straight into deep water on his hurdles debut in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle, finishing a promising third.

Next came the Hyde Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he finished fifth behind subsequent Grade 1 winner No Drama This End.

The form of that race reads well

• Runner-up Heads Up finished second in the Champion Bumper and has since won

• Destination Dubai was runner-up in the Aintree Grade 2 bumper

• Third-placed King’s Bucks has since been runner-up in a strong maiden hurdle

Since undergoing wind surgery in November, Moneygarrow has been unbeaten in two starts.

He bolted up by seven lengths at Warwick, defeating five subsequent winners. Notably, that same maiden hurdle was won by future Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 winner Willoughby Court in 2017.

Stepped up to three miles at Windsor last time, he defeated They Call Me Hugo, with the pair pulling 12¾ lengths clear of two subsequent winners.

Pedigree strengthens the case.

He is a full brother to Minella Crooner, who finished second in a Grade 1 over 2m6f as a novice hurdler before winning a Listed chase.

His sire Shantou has an outstanding record in this race, producing back-to-back winners Stay Away Fay (2023) and Stellar Story (2024)  and has also sired Festival winners Chianti Classico, The Storyteller, Ballynagour and Impervious.

Shantou has had 29 runners at Cheltenham over trips ranging from 3m to 3m2½f in the past two years, producing five winners, making him the eighth most successful sire at the track during that period.

Another important statistic:
14 of the last 18 Albert Bartlett winners had already proven stamina over at least 2m7f.

Verdict

Moneygarrow still needs to improve, but he remains unexposed over three miles, and since undergoing wind surgery he has shown the form, pedigree and connections to suggest he could run a very big race. 

Currently priced at 25/1 given the race’s history of producing big-priced winners, he looks one of the more interesting value angles in the Albert Bartlett betting markets. Before placing your bets, always check the latest Cheltenham Festival odds, as prices can shift significantly in the build-up to the race.

Statistics confirm that class alone is not enough to win this challenging race – a combination of endurance and a strong pedigree is required. That is why 1xBet horse racing fans should pay close attention not only to the clear favourites, but also to promising contenders who might surprise.

The analytical piece was prepared by Emmet Kennedy — Presenter, Producer, and Owner of The Final Furlong Podcast, Broadcaster with TalkSPORT, and Broadcast Consultant —  with the support of 1xBet Ireland.

1XBET AND TERMINUS PLATFORM IRELAND LIMITED DO NOT SPONSOR ANY OF THE EVENTS ABOVE AND HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH ASSOCIATED SPORTS LEGUES AND/OR ASSOCIATIONS.