Death Duty confirmed for Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham Festival

Hot favourite Death Duty is one of 38 horses still in contention for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday.Gordon Elliott's charge is unbeaten in four starts over hurdles this term and following a Grade One victory at Naas back in January, he is a final-day banker for plenty of punters.He beat the Willie Mullins-trained Turcagua that day and he could be in opposition once again as he is one of 14 still in the race for the Irish champion handler, along with Augusta Kate who crashed out at the final flight when holding every chance at Naas.Barcardys is another well-fancied Mullins hope, while Nigel Twiston-Davies' Wholestone and the Colin Tizzard-trained West Approach are the leading home-trained hopes.Mullins' Let's Dance is the most notable withdrawal, but she has a handful of other options next week.