Townend on top form as future Gold Cup horse Monkfish lands Albert Bartlett

Paul Townend, Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci won the Albert Bartlett with Monkfish, nothing to see here right? Wrong. It was much more complicated than usual.

Ricci called it "the race of the week". Half way up the hill Mullins was sure they were set for third. But Townend, in full Ruby Walsh mode here today, was having none of it.

Mullins was right to be afraid. There were four horses sent off at single-figure prices and on the run to the last they separated themselves from the also-rans.

Four abreast. Latest Exhibition on the rail, Monkfish sandwiched between Thyme Hill and Fury Road. All four stacked on top of each other – most Jenga pieces have more wiggle room.

They rose together, they landed together and as they came up the hill Fury Road and Latest Exhibition began to come clear and come together.

Monkfish looked like getting shoved out the back door. But he held his position and slowly, gradually, ground his way back to the front to win by a going-away neck.

"What a race, what a fantastic race," said Ricci. "That was a really good race, it could be the best race of the festival in terms of quality – the four that were supposed to win all fought out the finish and hopefully they develop into Gold Cup horses."

The Gold Cup may be a few years away but chasing definitely beckons. Mullins, who had a roaring day with the first four winners, added: "He looks a real chaser and I don't think the race went according to plan for Paul, but he found himself there.

Paul Townend celebrates victory on Monkfish in the Albert Bartlett Novices' HurdleCredit: Michael Steele

"When they passed him after jumping the last I thought we were set for third, but Paul really drove him up the hill.

"The first time we ran him we wondered if he'd ever win a race, he was so green, and Paul feels there's still more to come as he's maturing all the time. He said you could feel the power behind and there's a lot more to come. He's a huge, big horse."

The win came at a cost for Townend, who received a four-day ban for careless riding in causing intereference.

The Paul Nolan-trained runner-up looks every inch the chaser too and his trainer added: "It's great to come and run well and he's something to look forward to over fences next season.

"Bryan [Cooper] gave him a super ride. I thought for a couple of strides as they jumped the last he had it, but Monkfish put his head down and battled all the way. I'm relieved that he ran so well but at the same time you're disappointed."

Davy Russell, who finished third on Fury Road having hit the front five strides from the line said: "Sometimes that hill isn't long enough and sometimes it's too long."

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions for Cheltenham tap the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets