How the Albert Bartlett was won: James Norris on the thrilling novice hurdle

Thyme Hill (right): stayed on strongly in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle won by Monkfish (second left)

Monkfish (pink) wins a thrilling Albert BartlettCredit: Jonathan Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Albert Bartlett is the ultimate stamina test for a novice hurdler. James Norris takes a look back on the three-mile Grade 1 . . .

The least heralded of the festival’s three novice hurdles has returned its fair share of surprises in recent years. Just as the winning profile of a battle-hardened, proven stayer began to take shape, a Rachael Blackmore-inspired Minella Indo came along in 2019 and blew away the notions of necessary experience after just three runs under rules.

However, time has shown he was a high-class winner of a strong running and those two sentiments will surely apply to the 2020 version.

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Published on 30 March 2020inSeries

Last updated 16:24, 18 June 2020

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