The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle will be staged on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival in 2025, with horses aged five and older competing over three miles on the New Course.
The race has been a mainstay at the Festival since being introduced in 2005, and it has been contested as a Grade One since 2008.
A high-quality field will be involved this year, and the stats and trends to consider when assessing the runners can be found here.
Despite being a Grade One, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has been won by some shock contenders throughout recent history. That is reflected by the stat that only one favourite has won the race since 2013.
In fact, each of the last four winners of the race have been priced up at double-digit prices. Only two winners of the race since 2013 have been found in the top three in the betting.
Unlike other Grade One races at the Festival, a recent win before lining up at Cheltenham isn’t considered essential.
Only five of the last 12 winners of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle have won on their final start before lining up at the home of jumps racing.
However, it should be acknowledged that nine of the last 12 winners have been in action within 54 days of the race on the final day at the Festival.
One of the most important stats to consider is the fact that all but one of the last 12 winners have made at least one previous start over three miles.
Meanwhile, the same number of victors of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle have also recorded at least one win over the trip. It is also worth noting that ten of the last 12 winners of the race have made at least three previous starts that season.
Due to the number of shock winners of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, it isn’t surprising that only five of the victors since 2013 have previous scored in graded company.
But, the rating could indicate the horses that are worth considering. The stats show that ten of the last 12 winners have been rated 136 or higher, which includes last year’s winner Stellar Story, who was rated 141.
A key trend to consider when assessing the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle field is the fact that nine of the last 12 winners have made at least three starts over hurdles.
Eight victors over the same period have made at least four starts over the smaller obstacles, while all but one of the winners of the race have previous won over hurdles.
