Festival race preview: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

David Pipe’s Kings Palace (3/1) was the long time favourite for this race with three wins from three runs this season. This included a victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in December when he beat Masters Hill (40/1) by 14 lengths.

But Willie Mullins’ Briar Hill (9/4) has replaced Kings Palace at the head of the market. The six-year-old is also unbeaten and won the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Festival last year at 25/1.

Beyond the first two, the betting is very open: Captain Cutter 8/1; Faugheen 10/1; Deputy Dan 16/1.