Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Registered as the Spa Novices' Hurdle, but sponsored by 'The Potato People' since 2008, the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 hurdle race run over 2 miles, 7 furlongs and 213 yards on the New Course at Cheltenham in March. The race was established, as a Grade 2 contest, in 2005, when the Cheltenham Festival was extended from three to four days, and promoted to Grade 1 status three years later. Previously, the longest race for novice hurdlers at the Chelteham Festival was the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, a.k.a. the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle, over 2 miles and 5 furlongs.

Of course, the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle is restricted to horses, aged four years and upwards, who start the season without a win over hurdles. Consequently, the leading 'bumper' performers from the previous season – who have demonstrated ability, but remain unexposed over obstacles – typically feature highly in the early ante-post lists. The 2023 renewal is scheduled for 2.50pm on Friday, March 17 and the bookmakers currently bet 10/1 the field; American Mike, trained by Gordon Elliott, who finished second in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, heads the market.

Obviously, no horse can win the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle more than once, but the most successful winner, subsequently, was Bobs Worth, trained by Nicky Henderson. The stoutly bred son of Bob Back justified favouritism in 2011, but returned to the Cheltenham Festival to win the RSA Chase in 2012 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2013. County Carlow trainer Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in the history of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle with three victories, courtesy of Penhill (2017), Monkfish (2020) and The Nice Guy (2022).

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur

Given both clubs are now managed by two of the best coaches in Europe, you would expect both teams to be flying. That is not the case, though, with Tottenham looking a tired side sitting in fourth by the skin of their teeth. Wolves look energetic and aggressive under Julen Lopetegui, but they do have some crucial issues in scoring goals still. Who comes out on top here?

Wolverhampton Wanderers News

For Wolves, sitting 15^th place is a decent position given where the club were when Bruno Lage was sacked. However, they come into this one with a big injury list. The likes of Hwang Hee-Chang, Sasa Kalajdzic, Chiquinho, and now likely Hugo Bueno are all long-term injuries.

Matheus Cunha is likely to miss out, too, removing another attacking option from the Wolves managers arsenal. Wolves are light on numbers, creating a forced consistency in selection that might not benefit them as much as some would assume.

Tottenham Hotspur News

Spurs are missing a few players too, with the midfield duo of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma out for the season most likely. They will also be missing full-backs in Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson Royal. The latter has been improved in recent weeks, and his energy will be a miss on the right-hand side.

Spurs will also need to make do without Hugo Lloris, who will struggle to come back this season after injury.

Verdict

Both teams are in a tough spot in terms of form, but Spurs do have the firepower of Son Heung-min and Harry Kane to see them through. Having not lost at Molineux in some time, too, Spurs will be confident of getting something from a Wolves team who are just happy not to get relegated after a toxic summer.

SCORE: 1-2