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At Fishers Cross Puts McCoy on the Board in Albert Bartlett
15/03/13

1 At Fishers Cross 11/8 Fav
2 African Gold 9/2
3 Inish Island 13/2
NR: Ballybough Pat (IRE), Ballycasey (IRE), Cloudy Copper (IRE)
13 ran Distances: 4½l, nse, 13l
TIME 6m 40.10s (slow by 59.10s)

Favourite backers were celebrating after the 11/8 market leader At Fishers Cross delivered a first Grade One success for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis when capturing the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

At Fishers Cross
© racing-images.co.uk

"It's amazing to win a first Grade One and hasn't really sunk in yet," admitted Curtis. "We were lucky to get the ground we wanted. I wouldn't rule out him going on better ground but he is proven on heavy so I was delighted when it started raining. He kept battling up the hill and is a little star.

"We were delighted to have a winner last year and I thought we should make the most of it because they don't come around too often. But, to have another one this year, especially a Grade One, ups our game again and it is amazing.

"We knew we had him fit and well so couldn't do any more. He is such a tough horse and I wouldn't bring anything here this week unless it had a realistic chance. It's very special to win for J P (McManus) and I'm also delighted for A P (McCoy) because he was getting a bit down having not had a winner so far this week.

"He could be a Ladbrokes World Hurdle horse next season but he'll be a chaser eventually. I'll talk to Frank Berry and J P and see what they want to do."

Owner J P McManus had no wish to spoil the pleasure for himself and other members of the At Fishers Cross team following the horse's win in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, but he was mindful of a stricken friend.

John Thomas (J T) McNamara has ridden countless winners for McManus over the years, but today he lies in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, after sustaining a severe neck injury following a fall at The Festival yesterday.

When heading to the winner's enclosure to welcome back his winner, McManus said: "It's always nice to have a winner in Cheltenham and it's just nice to have runners and to be here. The day is marred with sadness with what JT and his family are going through. We feel guilty for being here today because we feel we should be doing something to help him and I just wish we could.

"With all that happened yesterday, to have a winner today - it doesn't seem right to celebrate. John Thomas' family are all in our thoughts and we just hope and pray that he gets better.

"This is one of the highs and one of the great things about the meeting but, let me tell you, it doesn't compare with the sadness of yesterday. Let's hope that he is well. I am delighted to win the race and delighted to be here but it seems difficult to celebrate it when our friend needs our prayers.

"Those jockeys give us so much pleasure, so much enjoyment. Everybody does in the game - lads, lasses, everybody - and we should be so thankful to them all. "

Referring to his winner, he added: "A P rode him like the best horse in the race. I never thought about him as a Cheltenham horse, I had him more as a Pertemps horse throughout the year, but he worked his way into being a top novice and he quite a good horse on that ground."

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
(Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 1)
£120,000 added, 4yo plus, 3m, Class 1
13 ran
Going: SOFT (Good to Soft in places)

McCOY PAYS TRIBUTE TO FELLOW JOCKEYS FOLLOWING ALBERT BARTLETT VICTORY

Jockey Tony McCoy was in a sombre mood after the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle despite riding his first winner of this year's Festival on 11/8 favourite At Fishers Cross.

McCoy was quick to pay tribute to both the late Campbell Gillies and injured J T McNamara following his four-length victory and to highlight the dangers that jockeys face every time they go out to ride.

"It is very hard to be happy after what happened yesterday with J T McNamara," said McCoy.

"Campbell Gillies won this race last year and he is not here so you have to enjoy these moments but it is very difficult.

"At Fishers Cross has really turned a corner. He has a terrific attitude and he keeps finding - he is a horse you love to ride.

"I am glad this fellow won for the boss because he was very upset last night after what happened to John Thomas. I'm also glad we have got some of Ronnie Bartlett's money but it is very hard to be happy today."

African Gold
© Racehorse Photos

CHASERS OF THE FUTURE

Both African Gold and Inish Island, separated by a nose when second and third in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, will be going chasing next season. "What a future he will have over fences," said the runner-up's trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. "I am so lucky to have a horse like him in the yard. And with The New One [winner of the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday] as well, these are exciting times."

In the shorter term, African Gold, a five-year-old by King's Theatre, will run over hurdles at Aintree. "He's much better on better ground, and we did not welcome the rain that came," added Twiston-Davies. "The winner [At Fishers Cross] won well, fair play to him, but on different ground, who knows?"

Willie Mullins, trainer of Inish Island, was equally pleased with his charge's run. "Chasing next year," he said. "That will be his job."

The owners of both horses were having their first runners at the Festival. Inish Island carries the colours of the Flanagan family - siblings Susan, Hazel and Patrick - from Grangeclare, near the Curragh in Co Kildare, and African Gold is owned by Canadian-born, British-based Ron Bauer, in the mining industry. "He's the only one I've got in training," he said, "when you've got a horse this good trained by a man this good you don't need much more. He's my first runner at the Festival, but I hope not my last. The plan is to be back here next year."

PREVIOUS RESULTS

2012-WINNER-BRINDISI BREEZE 6-11-07 Owner-Sandy Seymour; Trainer-Lucinda Russell; Jockey-Campbell Gillies; SP-7/1
2ND-Boston Bob 7-11-07 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-6/5 Fav
3RD-Grand Vision 6-11-07 Owner-Terry Warner; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Tom O’Brien; SP-25/1 20 ran, Time-5m 47.20s; Dist-2, 1¼

2011-WINNER-BOBS WORTH 6-11-07 Owner-The Not Afraid Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-15/8 Fav
2ND-Mossley 5-11-07 Owner-Michael Buckley; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-12/1
3RD-Court In Motion 6-11-07 Owner-Nick Mustoe; Trainer-Emma Lavelle; Jockey-Jack Doyle; SP-9/1
18 ran, Time-5m 42.20s; Dist-21⁄4, 6

2010-WINNER-BERTIES DREAM 7-11-07 Owner-Half A Keg Syndicate; Trainer-Paul Gilligan IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-33/1
2ND-Najaf 5-110-7 Owner-The Johnson & Stewart Families; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-25/1
3RD-Kennel Hill Owner-Peter & Lisa Hall; Trainer-Keith Goldsworthy; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-66/1
19 ran, Time-5m 55.60s; Dist-6, 8 100/30 Fav Tell Massini (PU)

2009-WINNER-WEAPON'S AMNESTY 6-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-8/1
2ND-Pride Of Dulcote 6-11-07 Owner-Angela Yeoman; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-3/1 Fav
3RD-The Midnight Club 8-11-07 Owner-C C R Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Emmet Mullins; SP-14/1
17 ran, Time-5m 59.90s; Dist-½, 2

2008-WINNER-NENUPHAR COLLONGES 7-11-07 Owner-Top Brass Partnership; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-9/1
2ND-Liskennett 5-11-00 Owner- Patrick Pierce; Trainer-Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Niall Madden; SP-16/1
3RD-The Tother One 7-11-07 Owner-Graham Roach; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Sam Thomas; SP-9/2 Jt Fav
18 ran, Time-6m 0.20s; Dist-2¾, ½ 9/2 Jt Fav Carruthers (11th)

2007-WINNER-WICHITA LINEMAN 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Air Force One 5-11-07 Owner-Brian Walsh (Co Kildare); Trainer-Charlie Mann; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-25/1
3RD-Itsa Legend 8-11-07 Owner-The We’re A Legend Partnership; Trainer-The We’re A Legend Partnership; SP-100/1
20 ran Time-5m 43.60s; Dist-12, 6

2006-WINNER-BLACK JACK KETCHUM 7-11-07 Owner-Gay Smith; Trainer-Jonjo O'Neill; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-Evens Fav
2ND-Powerstation 6-11-07 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Charles Byrnes IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-9/1
3RD-Travino 7-11-07 Owner-P Kilroy; Trainer-Mags Mullins IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty 6/1
19 ran Time-5m 43.6s; Dist-12,6

2005-WINNER-MOULIN RICHE 4-11-00 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-9/1
2ND-Faasel 4-11-00 Owner-Jim Ennis; Trainer-Nicky Richards; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-7/1
3RD-Akilak 4-11-00 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-7/2 Fav
23 ran. Time-4m 3.60s; Dist-hd, 8

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is run over three miles and was added to The Festival in 2005.

Initially sponsored by Brit Insurance, it was backed by Albert Bartlett for the first time in 2008, coinciding with its upgrade to Grade One status and carries prize money of £120,000.

FIELD SIZE

The largest field to go to post was 23 in 2011, while the smallest is 17 in 2009.

MOST SUCCESFUL OWNER

No owner has won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle more than once.

MOST SUCCESFUL TRAINER

Jonjo O’Neill has recorded two victories with Black Jack Ketchum (2006) and Wichita Lineman (2007).

MOST SUCCESFUL JOCKEY

Robert Thornton and 17-time champion jockey A P McCoy have two wins each. Thornton scored on French raider Moulin Riche (2005) and Nenuphar Collonges (2008), while McCoy partnered Black Jack Ketchum (2006) and Wichita Lineman (2007).

MARES

A mare has yet to win the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

BETTING

Black Jack Ketchum was sent off the even-money favourite in 2006 and duly justified his position in the market with an impressive nine-length success, while Berties Dream was the shock 33/1 winner in 2010. Three of the eight favourites have obliged.

AGE

The oldest horses to win the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle are Black Jack Ketchum (2006), Nenuphar Collonges (2008), and Berties Dream (2010), who were all aged seven.

Moulin Riche was four when triumphant in 2005, making him the youngest winner. The overall breakdown by age is as follows:

4yo – 1 victory
6yo – 4 victories
7yo – 3 victories

RECORD TIME

The quickest winning time stands at 5m 38.30s, set by Black Jack Ketchum in 2006.

OVERSEAS-TRAINED WINNERS

IRELAND (2): Weapons Amnesty (2009) and Berties Dream (2010)

FRANCE (1): Moulin Riche (2005)

DID YOU KNOW?

Albert Bartlett sponsors three other races in the build-up to The Festival with Grade Two contests at Cheltenham (December 15), Doncaster (January 26) and Haydock Park (February 16).

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has proved to be a good pointer to the RSA Chase in recent years. Bobs Worth and Weapons Amnesty, who captured the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in 2011 and 2009 respectively, went on to win the RSA Chase the following season, while 2010 RSA Chase hero Bostons Angel had been pulled up in the previous year’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.