Spa Novices' Hurdle
The Spa Novices' Hurdle, known for sponsorship purposes as the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles (2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards, or 4,822 metres), and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. The race is for novice hurdlers, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
| Grade 1 race | |
| Location | Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 2005 |
| Race type | Hurdle race |
| Sponsor | Albert Bartlett |
| Website | Cheltenham |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2m 7f 213y (4,822 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and up |
| Weight | 10 st 9 lb (4yo); 11 st 5 lb (5yo+) Allowances 7 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | £130,630 (2019) 1st: £73,506 |
| 2020 | ||
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| Monkfish | Latest Exhibition | Fury Road |
| Previous years | ||
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| 2019 | ||
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| Minella Indo | Commander Of Fleet | Allaho |
| 2018 | ||
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| Kilbricken Storm | Ok Corral | Santini |
| 2017 | ||
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| Penhill | Monalee | Wholestone |
| 2016 | ||
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| Unowhatimeanharry | Fagan | Champers on Ice |
| 2015 | ||
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| Martello Tower | Milsean | No More Heroes |
| 2014 | ||
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| Very Wood | Deputy Dan | Apache Jack |
| 2013 | ||
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| At Fishers Cross | African Gold | Inish Island |
| 2012 | ||
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| Brindisi Breeze | Boston Bob | Grand Vision |
| 2011 | ||
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| Bobs Worth | Mossley | Court in Motion |
| 2010 | ||
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| Berties Dream | Najaf | Kennel Hill |
| 2009 | ||
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| Weapon's Amnesty | Pride of Dulcote | The Midnight Club |
| 2008 | ||
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| Nenuphar Collonges | Liskennett | The Tother One |
| 2007 | ||
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| Wichita Lineman | Air Force One | Itsa Legend |
| 2006 | ||
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| Black Jack Ketchum | Powerstation | Travino |
| 2005 | ||
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| Moulin Riche | Over The Creek | Brewster |
It was one of several new races introduced at the Festival when a fourth day was added to the meeting in 2005. For its first three runnings the event was sponsored by Brit Insurance, and it was classed at Grade 2 level. The vegetable growing company Albert Bartlett began supporting the race in 2008, and since then it has held Grade 1 status.
Records
Leading jockey (3 wins):
- Tony McCoy – Black Jack Ketchum (2006), Wichita Lineman (2007) At Fishers Cross (2013)
Leading trainer (2 wins):
- Jonjo O'Neill – Black Jack Ketchum (2006), Wichita Lineman (2007)
- Willie Mullins – Penhill (2017), Monkfish (2020)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Moulin Riche | 5 | Robert Thornton | François Doumen |
| 2006 | Black Jack Ketchum | 7 | Tony McCoy | Jonjo O'Neill |
| 2007 | Wichita Lineman | 6 | Tony McCoy | Jonjo O'Neill |
| 2008 | Nenuphar Collonges | 7 | Robert Thornton | Alan King |
| 2009 | Weapon's Amnesty | 6 | Davy Russell | Charles Byrnes |
| 2010 | Berties Dream | 7 | Andrew Lynch | Paul John Gilligan |
| 2011 | Bobs Worth | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson |
| 2012 | Brindisi Breeze | 6 | Campbell Gillies | Lucinda Russell |
| 2013 | At Fishers Cross | 6 | Tony McCoy | Rebecca Curtis |
| 2014 | Very Wood | 5 | Paul Carberry | Noel Meade |
| 2015 | Martello Tower | 7 | Adrian Heskin | Margaret Mullins |
| 2016 | Unowhatimeanharry | 8 | Noel Fehily | Harry Fry |
| 2017 | Penhill | 6 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |
| 2018 | Kilbricken Storm | 7 | Harry Cobden | Colin Tizzard |
| 2019 | Minella Indo | 6 | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead |
| 2020 | Monkfish | 6 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins |