Paul Nolan’s Doncaster Victory Reveals New Albert Bartlett Hopeful
Paul Nolan recently celebrated a successful outing at Doncaster, where he claimed Grade 2 victories with two of his horses. This strategic move could set the stage for a run at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival, particularly with the emergence of a promising contender for the Albert Bartlett race.
Strategic Decisions for Cheltenham
Nolan’s decision to race in Doncaster stemmed from his desire to avoid tougher Irish competitors. “It was just a question of staying away from the Irish ones who could beat us,” he remarked. The potential for financial loss when traveling adds pressure, but Nolan aimed to select the best races for his horses.
Thedeviluno’s Impressive Win
Among the victors was Thedeviluno, who is now listed at 10-1 odds for the Albert Bartlett after triumphing in the River Don Novices’ Hurdle. The seven-year-old demonstrated remarkable skill, securing victory in a competitive field while stepping up to a three-mile distance for the first time.
- Horse Name: Thedeviluno
- Current Odds for Albert Bartlett: 10-1
- Notable Precedent: Latest Exhibition finished just a neck behind in the 2020 Albert Bartlett.
Prior to this, Thedeviluno had shown promise in bumpers, with the runner-up, Skylight Hustle, winning a Grade 1 event later. Nolan is seriously contemplating a Cheltenham run for Thedeviluno following this significant performance.
Feet Of A Dancer’s Victory
Another notable performance came from Feet Of A Dancer, who also claimed victory at Doncaster in the Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle. Ridden by Sean O’Keeffe, she won comfortably, leading to her being rated 20-1 for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
- Horse Name: Feet Of A Dancer
- Current Odds for Mares’ Hurdle: 20-1
- Potential Alternatives: Entered in the Stayers’ Hurdle due to her strong performance.
O’Keeffe’s tactical riding impressed Nolan, who acknowledged the skill required for the win. “Feet Of A Dancer appreciated the three miles,” he stated, indicating the possibility of further big races for her.
Future Considerations
Nolan is keenly aware of the competitive landscape at Cheltenham, mentioning the dominance of trainers like Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott in novice hurdles. “We’ll definitely have to be thinking about Cheltenham,” he concluded. The upcoming races offer exciting prospects for both Thedeviluno and Feet Of A Dancer, making them worthy contenders to watch.
