Usually the weakest of the three Cheltenham Festival in terms of bare form, but a remarkable number of good horses have emerged from the Albert Bartlett in recent years, beaten ones as well as winning ones, and it pays to look beyond the here and now. That said, this year’s contest looked rather weak going in and, with the exception of the ultimately easy winner, they finished in a bit of a heap, the time worth something in the 140s rather than higher.
VANILLIER (rated 152) looked a different horse to the one who had won just an ordinary maiden at Naas from four previous starts over hurdles, always prominent, leading before two out and just a few lengths to the good until storming clear on the run-in, only a fraction slower from the last than Quilixios in a steadily run Triumph at a mile shorter earlier on the card. He appears to have deep stamina reserves (also shaped that way when second at Limerick over Christmas) and might be vulnerable if dropped in trip.
OSCAR ELITE had promised to make into a very useful novice earlier in the campaign, but lost his form at the same time his stable did, though heavy ground might have been an issue, and he was also tongue tied here. He showed plenty of pace to come from midfield but was flattening out late on, running to a 142 rating, and should be effective back at 20f if required.
STREETS OF DOYEN ran his best race (141 rating, 134 previously), coming from the rear, under pressure two out but sticking to his task even when hanging right on the run-in. He seems likely to stay still further.
STATTLER (138 here, 149 previously) looks as good a prospect as any in this field, threatening to go close for a long way (went below 6/4 in running), but, as at Leopardstown last time, failing to see out his race, held when checked on the run-in. You would back him to get three miles properly in due course, but a return to around 20f may be called for now, and he looks one to jump a fence before long.
ALAPHILIPPE (137 here, 143 previously) looked a thorough stayer in making late gains, not helped by jumping less than fluently earlier.
THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE ran a new personal best rating of 137, looking a stayer in the process.
CHAMPAGNESUPEROVER ran surprisingly well at a big price under a patient ride, but can be credited with a 136 rating for now.
FAKIERA had looked all over a stayer previously and probably just did not perform on the day having had every chance two out.
BARBADOS BUCK’S had more to find than suggested by the betting but failed to run his race.
