2016 Cheltenham Festival ante post plays: Gangster has a shot in Albert Bartlett

David Metcalf | February 2, 2016

Barters Hill dominates the betting for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but Gangster appears to have slipped under the radar and looks cracking value at 7/1 with Coral in the ante post market for the 3m contest on Friday, March 18th.

The gelding was bought by the Gigginstown House Stud following two runs in France, and made a winning debut for champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins when easily landing a minor contest at Roscommon last June.

Gangster then disappointed when sent off odds-on at Galway and finishing just fifth to Sandymount Duke, but bounced back to slam After Rain by eight lengths at Listowel on his final start last season.

Despite the ease of the success, the six-year-old looked far from the finished article and the type that would do much better once he strengthened up and filled into his frame.

Form of Fairyhouse win looks strong

That view was confirmed when Gangster took the step up into Grade 3 company in his stride to make a winning return to action over 3m at Fairyhouse.

After being settled behind the leaders, Gangster made smooth headway to take up the running two from home before surging clear to beat Last Encounter easily by 10 lengths.

It was a most taking performance which marked Gangster out as a very exciting prospect that needed keeping firmly onside, and the form of the race looks strong.