Albert Bartlett favourite Hillcrest given go-ahead for Cheltenham Festival

Hillcrest will be aimed at the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.50) on the final day of the festival, trainer Henry Daly has confirmed.

The seven-year-old, who won a 3m½f Grade 2 at Haydock last time, also had the option of running over a shorter trip in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle but connections have decided to stick to three miles.

Running in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings, Hillcrest has scored four times from five starts over hurdles, including when winning the Listed Ballymore trial at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

He is the general 3-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett ahead of Ginto, a three-time winner over hurdles who is available at around 7-2 for trainer Gordon Elliott, who will bid for his first victory in the Grade 1.

"It was fairly obvious after his win at Haydock that he got the three miles, so he should get the same trip at Cheltenham. He's won over two and a half there but this looked like the obvious race," said Daly.

"We didn't consider which horses would line up. It was all to do with how he came out of Haydock. He schooled on Tuesday and we did a bit with him on Thursday, which went well. I had a chat with Mick Meagher [racing manager] last night and that was the decision."

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Minella Crooner, who had disputed ante-post favouritism for the Albert Bartlett with Hillcrest at a general 7-2, was ruled out of the festival by Elliott on Wednesday after suffering a pulled muscle. His stablemate Hollow Games, who is around 8-1, remains in contention.

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Friday, March 18)

bet365: 3 Hillcrest, 7-2 Ginto, 13-2 Journey With Me, 7 The Nice Guy, 8 Bardenstown Lad, Hollow Games, Stag Horn, 9 Shantreusse, 14 bar

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