Enterprise Park in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle is me banker bet for Cheltenham. He’s trained by Willie Mullins and is likely to be ridden by Ruby Walsh, both of whom have superb records at the Cheltenham Festival.
There is no telling how good this horse is an he is unbeaten in a bumper and two hurdle races and readily wins his races. He knuckles down to the job and gets it done. The 6 year old, Enterprise Park meets the key trends of the Albert Bartlett in that he is the right age, has won over 2m 5f or further and has won or finished 2nd in a graded hurdle last time out.
He’s only run on soft but the same is true of all the other leading contenders. A key point for me is that he’s by Supreme Leader whose offspring prefer good going so there is every chance he’ll improve when meeting ground better than he’s raced on so far. His race is run on the Friday and by then warmer weather and better ground is very possible if not probable. The other main contenders are less likely to be suited by good ground.
In his last race, Enterprise Park won a 2m 6f graded race at Limerick on 28 Dec when Quito De La Roque was 2nd and Hugo De Vindecy was third. The form is strong with both these horses winning since. On form he is arguably a better horse than the same stable’s highly touted Quel Esprit. Hugo De Vindecy was beaten into second by a length and three quarters by Quel Esprit in the middle of November but the former was 8 lengths behind Enterprise Park in the Limerick race. Quel Esprit has an entry in this race but he’s more likely to run in the Neptune Novices Hurdle on the Wednesday.
The one negative is possibly Enterprise Park’s jumping as he can be a bit sloppy but this is likely to improve on better ground and a faster pace both of which he’s likely to get at Cheltenham.
I have been monitoring all news about this race for some time and believe that Enterprise Park has a great chance of keeping up the 100% record if JP Festival bankers after Celestial Halo (10/1 in 2008) and Big Bucks (6/1) last year.
Further encouragement has come today with strong support in the market, although the downside of this is that he’s no longer available at a double figure price. 9/1 is available with Stan James and William Hill but it’s best to take the 8/1 with Ladbrokes as they will give you your money back if he doesn’t run in this race.
In summary, Enterprise Park has excellent connections, he’s unbeaten, meets the trends and looks as if he’ll improve on good going.
Recommended bet: 1 point ew Enterprise Park 8/1 – NR-NB with Ladbrokes
