O'Brien: Poetic Rhythm is as tough as teak and that's what you'll need

2.50 Cheltenham
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV/RUK

Four live hopes for Henderson

In 13 years of the Albert Bartlett under its various guises Nicky Henderson has had 11 runners, so perhaps it's a massive message of intent the champion trainer fields four in this stamina-sapper.

Subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth in 2011 is the stable's sole scorer and, whisper it quietly, there are hints some at Seven Barrows see Santini as a horse who may follow that path in time.

A course winner in January, he might not want conditions so testing, but that does not apply to stablemate Chef Des Obeaux, who slogged through the mud to win a Grade 2 at Haydock last time.

Mr Whipped was also successful at that level at Warwick in January, while Henderson and owner JP McManus have also supplemented impressive Kempton winner Ok Corral.

Henderson said: "I took Santini out once because I thought the ground was too soft for him, but he came out and won on it.

"Chef Des Obeaux will love the ground, while Mr Whipped was a good winner at Warwick but Musselburgh was a bad place to go last time.

"Ok Corral was supplemented because Barry Geraghty thought he'd be better over three miles than two and a half."

Dream on for Chris's camp?

Three of the last four runnings of this race have gone to Irish yards and Henry de Bromhead will look to continue that trend with Chris's Dream, who won a heavy-ground Grade 3 at Clonmel by a whopping 64 lengths last time.

O'Brien ace in tune

Poetic Rhythm gave Fergal O'Brien arguably his finest moment as a trainer when securing the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury 76 days ago, but an Albert Bartlett victory would be even sweeter.

Described by jockey Paddy Brennan as the toughest horse he has ridden, the seven-year-old has plenty of the right attributes for a race that could develop into one of the week's most gruelling.

"He had a hard race in the Challow, so we were always going to come straight here," said O'Brien, who trains Poetic Rhythm for a syndicate headed by great pal and supporter Chris Coley.

"He'll go on any ground and he's tough, fit and well. I think him and Calett Mad are the standouts. I saw Santini win a point-to-point last year and he's a lovely horse who will probably end up a better horse in time than Poetic Rhythm, but he's had only two runs over hurdles and I think you're going to need to be as tough as teak for this.

"It's going to be a slog and he's going to have to go somewhere he's never been before, whereas Poetic Rhythm ran in Grade 2s last year and won a Grade 1 this season."

Bridge bonus

JP McManus spent a combined £12,500 to supplement Tower Bridge and OK Corral, and were Tower Bridge to win, it would be a case of money particularly well spent, as solicitors Nathaniel Lacy & Partners will provide a bonus of €50,000 to the stable staff at Joseph O’Brien’s yard if he can follow up his victory in a novice hurdle at Leopardstown sponsored by the firm last month with another win here.

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Calett Mad
We rode him totally differently at Musselburgh last time and it seemed to help. He came from behind and it seemed to make him twice the horse. I don't think he's got a great chance because of the ground; he'd be better on better ground.

Henry Daly, trainer of Crucial Role
The rain is fine as he's won on soft/heavy ground and he should run well. He's never run on a stiff track apart from two miles at Towcester, but I think it'll play to his strengths. He's tough so hopefully that helps.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Dortmund Park
He's had a wind op since his last run, so he hasn't had the ideal preparation. We're hopeful but no more than that.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Enniscoffey Oscar and Paisley Park
Enniscoffey Oscar is hard as nails. He's got better and better as the season's gone on and he's slick with his jumping. The problem is I wanted a giant hairdryer to dry the ground out. He handled soft at Doncaster but he's much better on good. Paisley Park is also in great order and has solid form. He handles any ground, but arguably his best form is on softer. The one thing that can let him down is his jumping. He can be a bit awkward and slow, but we schooled him in a visor and he was unbelievable, so accurate and quick, hence we've declared him with it. I think it will really help him. They should run really nice races.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Kilbricken Storm
He won at Cheltenham in December and his early-season form is very good. It's nice to have a runner with a bit of a chance.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Mulcahys Hill
He'll like the ground and step up in trip, which should bring some improvement. He seems fresh and well. His last run at Cheltenham just came too soon after a good run in the Challow.

Alan King, trainer of Talkischeap
He's in really good order. I didn't think he wanted this sort of ground but he won a handicap on it at Newbury last time and he's gone up to a mark of 142. It's a very open race and I'd have fancied him very strongly each-way on better ground. As it is, we'll just have to see whether he handles the conditions again.

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