The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of National Hunt racing, and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has long been a proving ground for future staying stars. Run over three miles on the demanding New Course, this Grade 1 contest is a true test of stamina, resilience, and class – qualities that our very own Wendigo has in abundance!
As the countdown to Friday, 14th March 2025 begins, all eyes will be on Wendigo as he prepares to take his place in a fiercely competitive field. Can he rise to the occasion and etch his name into Cheltenham Festival history? Let’s take a closer look at the contenders, the form, and the key factors that could shape this year’s renewal of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
KEY-RACE TRENDS
- 12/12 winners had previously run in the past 27-97 days.
- 11/12 winners had won at least once that season.
- 11/12 winners had previously raced over 2m 7f or further.
- 10/12 winners were aged 6-7.
- 10/12 winners were priced 11/1 or higher.
- 10/12 winners were rated 136+.
- 10/12 winners had at least three runs that season.
- Only 3/12 winners had run at Cheltenham previously.
- Just 1/12 winners was sent off as favourite.
- From 11 female runners, none of them have won the race.
KEY RUNNERS
Final Demand
Having won three of the last eight renewals, any horse Willie Mullins puts in the race has to be feared, and Final Demand looks his best chance this year if he does go for this. He’s run out easy winners of both hurdles start to date, including an impressive Grade 1 victory over 2m 6f at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. If he does line up in here, he will almost certainly be sent off as favourite, but it’s worth noting that his owner Brian Drew has stated he’s “currently 70-30” likely to run in the Turners on Wednesday, rather than this race.
The Yellow Clay
Another who the betting suggests is likelier to run in the Turners rather than here, but if trainer Gordon Elliott does send him to the Albert Bartlett, he has to be feared. Having won all four races this season, he’s progressed with each run this season, notably running out a clear winner of the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas last time out. He’s versatile ground wise and looks the leading option for last year’s winning trainer Gordon Elliott.
The Big Westerner
Another Irish runner who is yet to taste defeat, having won both hurdles starts this season, including a Grade 2 at Limerick over the festive period. Henry De Bromhead’s mare looks on an upward curve and her trainer has tasted victory in this race before – notably winning the 2019 renewal with 50/1 shot Minella Indo. She does have to buck the trend of mares running in the race, but she looks a seriously talented horse who would be a danger to all if she brings her A game.
EACH-WAY CHANCES
Jasmin De Vaux
The apparent Willie Mullins second string has already tasted Cheltenham Festival success, having won the Champion Bumper at last year’s festival. His novice hurdle campaign started perfectly with a cosy victory at Navan, before finishing fourth in a couple of Grade 1’s since. He will need to reverse form with Final Demand and The Yellow Clay if they do line up in here, but he is likely to be thereabouts at the finish.
Wendigo
Racing Club’s first ever Cheltenham Festival runner Wendigo has been gaining plaudits ahead of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, with the likes of Ruby Walsh, Paddy Brennan and Tom Segal all tipping it up our superstar. Having finished second on hurdles debut, he won impressively at Ludlow next time out, before a gallant runner-up performance in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle behind The New Lion over the festive period. Trainer Jamie Snowden gave his a prep run at Wetherby last month, where he won easily, and it’s been all systems go since for Wendigo!
Trainer Jamie Snowden has reported he’s in great form at home and with the step up in trip sure to suit, we can’t wait to see how Wendigo gets on. He is another who would prefer the ground to be on the softer side, but he has won on good and good to soft ground previously, so we’re hopeful he will still be thereabouts at the finish regardless of the ground.
Jet Blue
French raider Jet Blue has been impressing in France and made a worthwhile journey to Cheltenham earlier this season with an impressive win over C&D, despite making a mistake over the final hurdle. He appears to have stamina in abundance and is likely to be staying on strongly towards the final stages of the race. He is likely to want the ground on the softer side, but his Cheltenham win came on good to soft, so he should have a live each way chance.
SUMMARY
Hopefully both Final Demand and The Yellow Clay opt to go for the Turners on the Wednesday, which will make this a much more winnable assignment for Wendigo. Either way, the step up in trip should bring out further improvement in our star and we’re optimistic he will be staying on strongly at the finish. The race has gone the way of Irish runners in five of the last six renewals, but we’re hopeful we can fly the flag for the Brits this year and keep the trophy this side of the water!
We do still have a limited number of shares available in Wendigo at just £75 per share – purchase your shares in a Cheltenham Festival runner HERE.
