We have the best Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle tips ahead of the final day of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival.
We must wait until Friday for the best bet of the meeting and it comes in the shape of one of Ireland’s most exciting prospects at this year’s Festival –
BOSTON BOB (6/4,
Paddy Power).
Willie Mullins’ Hexham bumper winner has flourished since he made the move across the Irish Sea and three consecutive victories for his new trainer has seen him assume the role as Ireland’s leading novice hurdler.
Two facile victories at Navan, including one Grade One success over the highly regarded Mount Benbulben, saw him rocket the head of betting for the Festival’s novice hurdle races and it isn’t hard to see why he carries the faith of so many punters.
The selection’s jumping looks very deliberate at times and it is already clear his real future will undoubtedly lie of the larger obstacles, but he will be incredibly hard to beat in the Albert Bartlett, especially in light of his recent success over Lyreen Green in a Grade Two six weeks ago.
With Ruby Walsh in the saddle, Boston Bob defied a Grade One penalty at Leopardstown holding off some highly regarded rivals in the process and it is clear that the Mullins yard have a very classy individual in their ranks. Aside from looking like a gutsy operator, the raider also looks slick at his hurdles and every time he has been asked a question this season the seven-year-old has relished the battle.
He will resume his rivalry with Mount Benbulben (13/2,
Stan James) at Cheltenham and Paul Nicholls’ Rocky Creek (10/1,
Paddy Power) is a fascinating contender, but Boston Bob looks a thoroughly impressive horse and aside from the likes of Hurricane Fly, he could rate the banker of the meeting.