Registered as the Spa Hurdle, the
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is a fairly recent addition to the
Cheltenham Festival programme, having been run for the first time in
2005. Originally framed as a Grade 2 contest and sponsored by Brit
Insurance, the race was upgraded to Grade 1 status in 2008, at which
point sponsorship passed to the eponymous vegetable supplier. As the
name suggests, the contest is open to novice hurdlers aged four years
and upwards and is run over 3 miles on the New Course at Prestbury
Park. It is currently scheduled as the forth race on the fourth and
final day of the Festival, immediately preceding the Cheltenham Gold
Cup. Willie Mullins is leading trainer with four wins, while Paul Townend (most recently on Jasmin De Vaux in 2025) and Tony McCoy share leading jockey position on three wins each.
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