We head towards 2025 at a rate of knots and our value tipster Matty Sutcliffe continues his look at the Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets and has unearthed a 25/1 selection in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Koktail Divin 25/1 1pt WIN
The Festival period over Ireland often throws in a spanner into the works of the novice division, and I think we saw a smart one in KOKTAIL DIVIN for Barry Moloney and Henry De Bromhead. The son of Masked Marvel was a dual winner on the flat for his French connections last season before making the trip across to Ireland, and he made a promising debut at Leopardstown on Saturday when a half a length second to the race-fit Kaid d’Authie, pulling nine lengths clear of the third in a maiden that was won by Jade De Grugy last year, and Gaillard Du Mesnil in 2020 and The Bosses Oscar in 2021.
The Willie Mullins’ trained winner, who was sent off 1/3 for his debut when falling at Navan earlier this month, was always in command on the rail under Mark Walsh who set the fractions well for himself in front, and was always doing enough in the finish despite Koktail Divin closing on him in the finish. The omission of the last flight was undoubtedly a hindrance, but I was impressed with the way Koktail Divin jumped, travelled and stuck on to the line despite having a wider trip throughout. The winner has already been penciled in for the Dublin Racing Festival to take on the top two milers and is evidently held in high regard, so it’s little surprise that Koktail Divin didn’t quite have the imminent turn of foot to reverse the placings.
The Albert Bartlett is a race that often throws up a surprise winner, with just one single figure SP (Monkfish, 5/1 2020) returning in the last ten renewals and connection’s of Koktail Divin were successful with subsequent Gold Cup winner Minella Indo at 50/1 in 2019. Five of last six winners, including Minella Indo, had made their hurdles debut over 2m4f and I’d imagine connections may have the Nathaniel Lacy next on their minds, before hopefully a step up in trip to the Albert Bartlett. Koktail Divin may have enough pace to stay at the intermediate trip, and my only worry about this selection not making it to the three miler in March would be that he’s a four-year-old turning five, as the last five year old to win the race was Very Wood in 2014. That said, Affordale Fury was second in the race in 2023 at 150/1 as a 5yo, as was Commander Of Fleet in 2019 who was a sent off 4/1 favourite, finishing ahead of another five year old in Allaho no less.
While his pedigree would suggest he’s not short of speed, given his dam was second in a French G1 AQPS, he’s by Masked Marvel who’s the sire of Stayers’ winner Teahupoo, and two of Masked Marvel’s top five progeny are out of a Saint Des Saints mare, including Maskada, who won the Grand Annual for Henry De Bromhead in 2023.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.