Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Cheltenham 15:20 £150,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 7f 213yds, Class 1 
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This has a habit of sorting the men from the boys, and increasingly the pure stayers from those merely passing through, and this year’s early shape of the race is already beginning to harden.
🩺 Willie Mullins on DOCTOR STEINBERG:
— Road To Cheltenham (@RoadCheltenham) February 11, 2026
"I’m watching him the other day and I’m looking at how he pulled and dragged his jockey through the race and I don’t think he could do that for three miles round Cheltenham."pic.twitter.com/3n70UECIYs
Doctor Steinberg has emerged as the clear yardstick after another deeply authoritative performance at Leopardstown, where he maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles in the Nathaniel Lacy. It was not just the eight-length margin that caught the eye, but the way he did it: travelling with an edge early, gradually asserting himself from two out, and then simply galloping his rivals into the ground on testing conditions. This was his third hurdle win, following successes at Galway and Navan, the latter form boosted by Thedeviluno going on to land a Grade Two.
Willie Mullins has never hidden his regard for the gelding, and his comments after Leopardstown were revealing. Doctor Steinberg is bred to stay all day, being out of a Cyborg mare, and Mullins was particularly struck by the way he could pull hard, have pressure throughout, and still find generously at the end of two miles six furlongs on attritional ground. That combination of stamina and resilience is precisely what is required for the Albert Bartlett, and bookmakers were quick to react, installing him as clear favourite for the three-mile Grade 1 at the Festival.
It is also worth noting that the Nathaniel Lacy has become an increasingly strong pointer to this race, especially when the ground is demanding, and Doctor Steinberg’s ability to handle deep conditions marks him down as a horse unlikely to be inconvenienced by a typical March slog up the Cheltenham hill. Mullins’ comment that he “does everything right” is one that tends to carry weight at this time of year.
Away from the obvious Irish focus, Apache Tribe has put himself firmly on the map for those looking beyond the front of the market. His wide-margin maiden hurdle success at Ayr was visually striking, even allowing for the opposition, and it came on his hurdling debut after a long absence. Sent off a short-priced favourite, he travelled powerfully, moved into contention with ease, and then stretched right away after the second-last to win by 13 lengths without coming off the bridle.
"See you at Cheltenham boys" 🤣
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 10, 2026
Good to see @NoelCKelly1 with a nice one and the trainer says he's had a "wee nibble" on @ayrracecourse winner Apache Tribe for the Albert Bartlett.
Mentions of Cheltenham here easily in double-figures! pic.twitter.com/nemxA49VKf
Trained by Noel Kelly, Apache Tribe had already shown his raw ability when winning a Listowel bumper by 16 lengths, and the common theme in his trainer’s comments is stamina. “The further he goes the better” is exactly what you want to hear in the context of the Albert Bartlett, and the decision to take him across to Ayr was as much about education as it was about winning. Kelly was candid in describing him as “quirky enough”, and that experience of travelling and racing away from home may yet prove invaluable at Cheltenham.
His odds contraction to around 25-1 reflects the fact that he is still some way behind the established Irish form, but these staying novice hurdles have a long history of throwing up improvers from less exalted backgrounds, particularly when they are lightly raced and bred for a test.
At this stage, Doctor Steinberg sets a high standard, combining Grade 1 form, proven stamina, and an evident relish for tough ground. Apache Tribe represents the sort of unexposed, upwardly mobile contender who can outrun market expectations if continuing on his current trajectory. As ever with the Albert Bartlett, much will depend on conditions and the pace on the day, but the early clues suggest this is already shaping up to be a proper staying contest in the truest sense of the word at the Cheltenham Festival.
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
(Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 1)
£150,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 7f 213yds, Class 1
64 entries
Going: Soft
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Feb 27)
1 6-7149 American Jukebox 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
2 21-511 Apache Tribe 6 11-7 Noel C Kelly
3 121131 A Pai De Nom 6 11-7 Dan Skelton
4 1-414 Bally Free 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
5 111432 Ballykinlar 7 11-7 Mickey Bowen
6 3-12 Boultydoolin 6 11-7 Rebecca Curtis
7 -6311P Champagne Kid 7 11-7 P E Collins
8 113-17 Classical Creek 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
9 -72111 Dalston Lad 6 11-7 Dan Skelton
10 1-22 Doctor Du Mesnil 6 11-7 W P Mullins
11 -15111 Doctor Steinberg 6 11-7 W P Mullins
12 111437 El Capitaine 8 11-7 Kayley Woollacott
13 42-711 Espresso Milan 6 11-7 W P Mullins
14 3-3154 Etna Bianco 6 11-7 Joe Tizzard
15 224-73 Forty Coats 7 11-7 Henry De Bromhead
16 -131P2 Fountains Blenhein 7 11-7 Anthony Honeyball
17 223155 Frankie John 6 11-7 Denis Gerard Hogan
18 1/2-13 Fruit De Mer 6 11-7 Henry De Bromhead
19 2-1 Hipop De Loire 9 11-7 W P Mullins
20 2-1111 I'll Sort That 6 11-7 Declan Queally
21 15284P Intosomethinggood 5 11-7 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
22 13/221 Jalon d'Oudairies 7 11-7 Gordon Elliott
23 3-11 Johnny's Jury 6 11-7 Jamie Snowden
24 -51538 Kasino Des Mottes 6 11-7 Joe Tizzard
25 1-U112 Kazansky 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
26 2-114 Kicour La 6 11-7 Ben Pauling
27 12-432 King's Bucks 6 11-7 Henry De Bromhead
28 34/412 Klimt Madrik 6 11-7 Toby Lawes
29 1-2111 Kripticjim 6 11-7 Joe Tizzard
30 2-21 Laurets d'Estruval 5 11-7 W P Mullins
31 1-2114 Legendary Luke 6 11-7 Jamie Snowden
32 P-4241 Melbourne Shamrock 7 11-7 Emmet Mullins
33 1P4322 Minella Emperor 7 11-7 Emmet Mullins
34 /2-611 Mondoui'boy 6 11-7 Ben Pauling
35 2-3511 Moneygarrow 6 11-7 Dan Skelton
36 P/1-33 Neon Dream 6 11-7 Alan King
37 19-111 No Drama This End 6 11-7 Paul Nicholls
38 2-322P Off The Jury 7 11-7 Mickey Bowen
39 -33717 Reckless Spending 6 11-7 Nicky Henderson
40 -42124 Riskaway 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
41 21-312 Road Exile 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
42 122/1P Rocking Man 7 11-7 Sam Thomas
43 432 Rusty Harkness 6 11-7 Henry De Bromhead
44 3-16 Saint Baco 5 11-7 W P Mullins
45 110411 Shadow Paddy 6 11-7 Eoin Christopher McCarthy
46 5-P721 Shuttle Diplomacy 6 11-7 Thomas Cooper
47 271-12 Sortudo 6 11-7 W P Mullins
48 14-311 Spinningayarn 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
49 6-3131 Swindon Village 6 11-7 Charlie Longsdon
50 F16117 Tackletommywoowoo 6 11-7 Declan Queally
51 2-1252 The Big Clubman 6 11-7 Paul Nolan
52 41-12P The Blue Room 6 11-7 Olly Murphy
53 2-2121 Thedeviluno 7 11-7 Paul Nolan
54 221-F2 Theflyingking 6 11-7 Gordon Elliott
55 U1-215 The Price Of Peace 7 11-7 Rebecca Curtis
56 21-122 They Call Me Hugo 6 11-7 Olly Murphy
57 /1/313 Timesareachanging 7 11-7 Andrew Slattery
58 2-233 Treasure Memory 6 11-7 A J Martin
59 U1-112 Ubatuba 6 11-7 Olly Murphy
60 2-15 Whiskey Yankee 5 11-7 Sam Thomas
61 72121P Good Girl Kathleen 6 11-0 Emmet Mullins
62 9/1217 Park Princess 6 11-0 Anthony Honeyball
63 1-0148 Pottersville 7 11-0 Rebecca Curtis
64 473111 Zanoosh 6 11-0 C A Murphy
PREVIOUS RESULTS
2025 Jasmin De Vaux
2024 Stellar Story
2023 Stay Away Fay
2022 The Nice Guy
2021 Vanillier
2020 Monkfish
2019 Minella Indo
2018-WINNER-KILBRICKEN STORM 7-11-05 Owner-A Selway & P Wavish; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Harry Cobden; SP-33/1
2ND-OK Corral 8-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-16/1
3RD-Santini 6-11-05 Owner-Richard & Lizzie Kelvin Hughes; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Nico de Boinville; SP-11/4 Fav
20 ran, Time-6m 13.60s; Dist-3, 1½
2017-WINNER-PENHILL 6-11-05 Owner-Tony Bloom; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-16/1
2ND-Monalee 6-11-05 Owner-Barry Maloney; Trainer-Henry de Bromhead IRE; Jockey-David Mullins; SP-8/1
3RD-Wholestone 6-11-05 Owner-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-13/2
15 ran, Time-5m 49.90s; Dist-3 13/8 Fav Death Duty (UR)
2016-WINNER-UNOWHATIMEANHARRY 8-11-05 Owner-Harry Fry Racing Club; Trainer-Harry Fry; Jockey; Noel Fehily; SP-11/1
2ND-Fagan 6-11-05 Owner-Ronnie Bartlett; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-33/1
3RD-Champers On Ice 6-11-05 Owner-Prof Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-20/1
19 ran, Time-5m 48.10s; Dist-1¼, 1½ 7/2 Fav Shantou Village (PU)
2015-WINNER-MARTELLO TOWER 7-11-07 Owner-Barry Connell; Trainer-Mags Mullins IRE; Jockey-Adrian Heskin; SP-14/1
2ND-Milsean 6-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-33/1
3RD-No More Heroes 6-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-6/1
19 ran, Time-6m 0.30s; Dist-½, 1 5/2 Fav Black Hercules (7th)
2014-WINNER-VERY WOOD 5-11-07 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-33/1
2ND-Deputy Dan 6-11-07 Owner-Tim Syder; Trainer-Oliver Sherwood; Jockey-Leighton Aspell; SP-10/1
3RD-Apache Jack 6-11-07 Owner-Mrs Pat Sloan; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-20/1
18 ran, Time-5m 50.70s; Dist-4½, sh 2/1 Fav Briar Hill (Fell)
2013-WINNER-AT FISHERS CROSS 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer- Rebecca Curtis; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-African Gold 5-11-07 Owner- Ron Bauer; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-9/2
3RD-Inish Island 7-11-07 Owner- Susan, Hazel F& Patrick Flanagan; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-13/2
13 ran, Time-6m 40.10s; Dist-4½, nose
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
