Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips – Cheltenham Festival Day One, 16:50

The Boodles Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 race open to horses aged four years. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and half a furlong. Throughout the race, there are eight hurdles to be jumped and it usually takes around four minutes to complete. Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott have won the race three times apiece so it often pays to look at anything they may target here.

None of the previous eighteen winners of this race had ever raced at the course prior to winning this and the vast majority of the winners have never placed in a class one race before. Jockeys to avoid in this race include Daryl Jacob (0-11). Willie Mullins, Alan King, Philip Hobbs and Gary Moore have tried and failed to win this race on multiple occasions with multiple runners.

Previous Winners of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Below are selected runners who hold entries for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Runners

Tekao

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mark Walsh

Was placed in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle won by Gala Marceau. That showed he has a touch of class and he is partnered by Mark Walsh who has won this race in two out of the last three renewals. Willie Mullins has a desperately bad record in this race, but this improver could well end his hoodoo.

Byker

Trainer: Charles Byrnes
Jockey: Philip Byrnes

Was a decent sort on the flat when trained by Richard Hannon. He beat a large field when losing his maiden at Naas back in January. He was subsequently placed in a novices’ hurdle at the same track last month and now tackles handicap company for the first time in this sphere. The Irish have taken the last five renewals of this and he has to be considered.

Bad

Trainer: Ben Pauling
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore

Makes his British debut in this race having impressed in France last time. He will certainly appreciate any further rain as he won on a heavy surface last time out. Rachael Blackmore is an intriguing jockey booking by Ben Pauling and French-bred horses have won nine of the last eighteen renewals of this race. He stays further than this and is a threat to all.

Risk Belle

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Luke Dempsey

Last seen out at the Dublin Racing Festival in a Mares’ handicap hurdle when she didn’t get beyond the fifth flight of hurdles. Having begun her career in France she won two races in a row. She had been quietly progressive prior to that last run. She needs a career-best performance to get involved here.

Sir Allen

Trainer: Andrew Slattery
Jockey: Danny Dempsey

Has won his last two races in convincing style at both Naas and Punchestown. The race that he won last time has thrown up three previous winners of this race including Brazil, Aramax and Band Of Outlaws and he commands respect given that stat.

Perseus Way

Trainer: Gary Moore
Jockey: Jamie Moore

He wasn’t beaten far at Kempton by Nusret last time and, prior to that, he was also placed behind Comfort Zone at Chepstow again in Graded company. Given that both of his conquerors were Irish, chances are he is likely to find another Irish horse slightly too good here. Entitled to go close and should fare the best of the home contingent.

Jazzy Matty

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Michael O’Sullivan

Has to reverse the recent form with Sir Allen and that is far from guaranteed. This is his handicap debut and whilst his trainer has a fantastic record in this, he gives the impression that further improvement is required. Hard to make a case for on that basis.

Sundial

Trainer: Padraig Roche
Jockey: Simon Torrens

Represents last season’s winning trainer. Has been well beaten in Graded races this season and then had his sights lowered when dropping into handicap company at Punchestown back in January. He was beaten over eleven lengths there and unless the trainer has been holding something back with him, he is likely to struggle.

Metamorpheus

Trainer: Paul Nolan
Jockey: Sean Flanagan

Recently switched stables from Timothy Doyle to Paul Nolan and got to within five lengths of Sir Allen last time out. Weighted to finish a great deal closer to his old foe today and no surprise if he were to get his revenge. Sean Flanagan keeps the ride and the pair are respected.

Punta Del Este

Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton

Made his debut for the Skelton’s last month when placed behind Bo Zenith at Haydock. He managed to win a race in his native France before and did that comfortably on heavy ground. Still very much an unknown quantity and whether he is experienced enough to play a part here is open to debate.

Afadil

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden

Ran in the same race as Punta Del Este and will struggle to reverse that form. Prior to that, he won two races at Taunton and Musselburgh but ultimately he needs a lot more to be involved despite his handler’s good record in the race.

Mighty Mo Missouri

Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: CD Smithers

Still a maiden after five career starts in this sphere. He has hinted at ability in his two most recent starts and has only found one too good on both of those occasions. This looks a bit hotter than the races he has been contesting and he may well be out of his depth here.

Morning Soldier

Trainer: Thomas Mullins
Jockey: Darragh O’Keefe

Beat a few of these last time including Metamorpheus, Byker and Jazzy Matty. He couldn’t quite get to Sir Allen but he is weighted to turn the tables here. Darragh O’Keefe takes the reins as Danny Mullins has been booked to ride Sir Allen and he is of obvious interest.

Samuel Spade

Trainer: Ben Pauling
Jockey: Luca Morgan

Has done nothing wrong in three starts and won in the style of a good horse when cruising to a sixteen-length victory ag Huntingdon on his most recent appearance. He also brings useful flat experience into the race with him as he was formerly trained by David O’Meara. No surprise if he runs well at a price.

Fils De Roi

Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Jockey: Sam Ewing

Must have been held in high regard to have been chucked straight into Grade 3 company on his seasonal reappearance. He fluffed his lines and unfortunately fell when weakening at the time. He then was given an easier assignment and found the likes of Afadil and The Churchill Lad too strong. Looks out of his depth.

Ludus

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jordan Gainford

On lines through Blood Destiny and Comfort Zone he looks to have plenty to find with some of this field. He was beaten all too easily last time out at Punchestown and just gives the impression that he saves a bit for himself.

Shared

Trainer: Harry Derham
Jockey: Paul O’Brien

Has really found his level since joining his current yard from that of Roger Charlton. A winner of two of his three starts, he is certainly giving rookie trainer Harry Derham a season to remember. This ultimately looks a little too tough though and he may struggle.

Action Motion

Trainer: Denis Hogan
Jockey: Harry Swan

Not guaranteed to reverse their recent form with the Gordon Elliott-trained Ludus who beat him at Punchestown back in January. Lacks the experience of a few of these too and looks up against it in this company.

Gordon’s Aura

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Sam Ewing

Has been beaten by numerous others in this line-up and looks completely exposed as a result. Beaten by Tekao, Action Motion and Byker he really looks to have it all to do. Needs some form of miracle.

Mctigue

Trainer: Emmett Mullins
Jockey: Donagh Meyler

Hard to think that he won a Grade 2 race at Auteuil last October. He has completely lost the plot since and cannot be a serious betting proposition here having been beaten seventy-three lengths last time out.

Mr Freedom

Trainer: Sheena West
Jockey: Robbie Dunne

Has endured a long hard season and was well beaten over this course and distance by Scriptwriter back in October. Since then he has been quite consistent but this is another level entirely. Another gear is needed for him to get involved at the business end.

Romancero De Lun

Trainer: Jane Williams
Jockey: David Noonan

An unfashionable start to his career when he unseated his rider on debut at Warwick. Since then he has made amends by taking his next two races at Exeter and Ludlow. This is his toughest level of opposition to date, but the Irish raiders look head and shoulders above their British-trained counterparts. Hard to fancy on that basis.

Ante-post Prices

9/2 Tekao, 6/1 Byker, 8/1 Bad, Risk Belle, 9/1 Sir Allen, 10/1 Perseus Way, 14/1 Punta Del Este, Sundial, 16/1 Jazzy Matty, Metamorpheus 20/1 Afadil, Mighty Mo Missouri, Morning Soldier, Samuel Spade, Shared, 25/1 Ludus, 33/1 Action Motion, Fils De Roi, Mctigue, Romancero Le Dun, 40/1 Gordons Aura, Mr Freedom.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips

Sir Allen looks to have the beating of quite a few of these and it is worth noting that the race he won last time out at Naas has been won by horses who have subsequently gone on to win this. Danny Mullins has plenty of winning experience at this track and he will be keen to ensure that his mount goes close despite having to give weight away to some of his old adversaries. He has jumped off his fathers’ horse to ride for Andrew Slattery so he must be convinced by the selection.

Selection: Sir Allen E/W @ 9/1 with Bet365

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All odds are correct at the time of writing.