Key questions as Champagne Well bids to land the Albert Bartlett trial

2.30 Cheltenham
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle | Grade 2 | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Can Champagne Well establish his festival credentials?

This Grade 2 has an illustrious roll of honour, including Coneygree, Blaklion, Unowhatimeanharry and Kilbricken Storm.

The last two stormed to success in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle later in their respective seasons and eight runners take their chance on Saturday to polish their festival claims.

Champagne Well has had seven starts over hurdles and was last seen finishing a creditable second to the exciting Thyme Hill at the track.

Fergal O'Brien's charge ran over 2m5f that day but performed well over this trip of 3m when second in a maiden hurdle at Ludlow in February.

The in-form trainer said: "He's in great form and ran very well last time. Now he steps up in trip and we're really looking forward to running him. I think his position at the top of the market is a fair assessment of his chances."

Henderson double-handed with Valtor and Igor

Nicky Henderson last won this prize in 2010 with Mossley, who finished second to the great Bobs Worth in the Albert Bartlett, and is double-handed this time around.

Valtor is the most experienced horse in the field but still retains novice status over hurdles after a straightforward assignment at Ascot last time.

Igor is perhaps the more intriguing of the pair. The imposing son of Presenting has had only four starts under rules, but broke his maiden emphatically at Ascot last month when winning by seven lengths.

Igor: got off the mark at Ascot in NovemberCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Both take a significant step up in grade, but the five-time champion trainer is hopeful of a good showing.

Henderson said: "They both won at Ascot on the same weekend last time and this looks a suitable race. They're quite similar and I hope they can run well as both are in decent form."

Can Briggs boost Dolphin's form?

Kiltealy Briggs is one of three horses in the race to finish behind the progressive Dolphin Square and won by 36 lengths to get off the mark over hurdles last time.

The five-year-old finished only a shoulder behind Philip Hobbs's charge at Wincanton in October, and that horse has since boosted the form when running well in a competitive Newbury handicap.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of The Mulcair
He's got a chance. He's a strong, uncomplicated horse who stays well. It's a massive step up in grade, but I'm running him because he is uncomplicated and will keep going. How he fares against the fancied horses I don't know, but he's definitely a nice horse.

Carl Llewellyn, assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Mossy Fen and Redford Road
Both horses are in good form and have done well this year. Hopefully, they will both run good races.

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