The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips (4:50pm)

[StevieDay1983]

Formerly known as the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and as the name suggests is for four year olds only which usually attract those that are not quite good enough to contest the Triumph Hurdle. Ex French horses have a very good record in the race winning 9 of the last 18 renewals. 6 of the last 12 ran in a Grade 1 or Grade 2 earlier in the season. Trainer’s Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott have the best record in the race with three wins a piece in the last decade. A maximum field of 22 are likely to face the starter. The last eleven years have seen some big priced winners at 25/1 (twice), 33/1 (three times), 40/1 and 80/1. Last years winner Brazil foiled a gamble on the Willie Mullins runner Gaelic Warrior.

Willie Mullins has only entered a brace of runners here in the JP owned Risk Belle who fell on his handicap debut at Leopardstown at the fifth off of a feather weight and the similarly JP owned Tekao, a Leopardstown winner over Christmas prior to a credible third at the Dublin Racing Festival to stablemate Gala Marceau. The latter looks the pick of the pair and is the one to beat. A less known Irish trainer Andrew Slattery has a nice juvenile in Sir Allen who’s won his last two starts at Punchestown and Naas and has a chance. Charlie Byrnes has entered Byker who won at Naas prior to chasing home the aforementioned Sir Allen to just under two lengths at Naas. There shouldn’t much between that pair though whether that would be good enough to win this only time will tell. Splitting that pair that day was the Thomas Mullins trained Morning Soldier who should be right there with them on the form book. The double green silks will be carried by Joseph O’Brien’s Nusret who came over to Kempton and took the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle in late February from Gary Moore’s Perseus Way. That was a decent effort and he can be competitive here. The runner up was giving 3lb to Nusret and was hampered by a faller three out so there shouldn’t be that much between them. Gary Moore also has Bo Zenith entered, who has the option of running in the Triumph Hurdle as well. He came from France with a big reputation but for some reason bombed out on his British debut at Sandown when a big odds on chance at the turn of the year but showed what he was all about when a comfortable winner of the Victor Ludorum at Haydock a month later. Ex French trained horses have a very good record in this race so a close eye should be kept on the Venetia Williams trained Jolly Nellerie who’s joined her from France having already won over there. Emmet Mullins has McTigue entered who will run in a valuable Kelso handicap hurdle prior to a tilt at a race here (he’s also entered in the Coral Cup and Triumph Hurdle). Mullins pulled off the double with The Shunter a couple of years ago so a close eye must be kept on him. The Skelton’s may run Punta Del Este who showed up well on his British debut when third to Bo Zenith at Haydock and should come forward for that effort.

As always a very tight knit and open juvenile handicap hurdle. The Irish have easily the best four year old hurdlers this season and this may go Willie Mullins’ Tekao for owner JP McManus who ran third in one of the best juvenile hurdles in Ireland this season and may outclass these.

Punters Lounge Tip: Tekao 4/1 NR NB at >Betfred - Click Here To Bet

by The Brigadier

[Tumbleweed King]

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.

Year	Horse	Age	Trainer	Jockey
2022	Brazil	4	Padraig Roche	Mark Walsh
2021	Jeff Kidder	4	Noel Meade	Colin Keane
2020	Aramax	4	Gordon Elliott	Mark Walsh
2019	Band Of Outlaws	4	Joseph O’Brien	JJ Slevin
2018	Veneer Of Charm	4	Gordon Elliott	Jack Kennedy
2017	Flying Tiger	4	Nick Williams	Richard Johnson
2016	Diego Du Charmil	4	Paul Nicholls	Sam Twiston-Davies
2015	Qualando	4	Paul Nicholls	Nick Schofield
2014	Hawk High	4	Tim Easterby	Brian Hughes
2013	Flaxen Flare	4	Gordon Elliott	Davy Condon
2012	Une Artiste	4	Nicky Henderson	Jeremiah McGrath

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.

TEKAO – WILLIE MULLINS & 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 – CHARLES BYRNES & 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 – BEN PAULING & 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 – WILLIE MULLINS & 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 – ANDREW SLATTERY & DANNY MULLINS

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 – GARY MOORE & 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 – GORDON ELLIOTT & MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN

Has to reverse 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 – PADRAIG ROCHE & SIMON TORRENS

Represents last seasons’ 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 – PAUL NOLAN & 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 – DAN SKELTON & 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 – PAUL NICHOLLS & 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 – JESSICA HARRINGTON & 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 – THOMAS MULLINS & 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 – BEN PAULING & 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 – FERGAL O’BRIEN & PADDY BRENNAN

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 – GORDON ELLIOTT & 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 to easily last time out at Punchestown and just gives the impression that he saves a bit for himself.

SHARED – HARRY DERHAM & 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 – DENIS HOGAN & HARRY SWAN

Not guaranteed to reverse 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 – GORDON ELLIOTT & 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 – EMMETT MULLINS & 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 – SHEENA WEST & 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 – JANE WILLIAMS & 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.

Summary

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

[MCLARKE]

Another big handicap with many bookmakers offering each way terms of 6 places

Horses bred in Ireland have produced 6 wins from 67 runners with a profit of 132 points at SP. Horses bred in other counties have produced 3 wins from 131 runners with a loss of 89 points. This reduces the field to 9.

Days since last run. The best range is 18 to 32 days. This has produced 6 winners from 72 runners and a profit of 46 points. This reduces the field to 5.

BYKER 11/2, 6 places

METAMORPHEUS 20/1, 6 places

MORNING SOLDIER 33/1, 6 places

MIGHTY MO MISSOURI 40/1, 6 places

GORDONS AURA, 66/1, 6 places

 

 

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Reckon Samuel Spade is overpriced here. Done nothing wrong over hurdles so far and his mark looks perfectly fair from what I can see. Might not be the classiest on the flat but he has a bit of everything and I reckon he goes well at 20s.

[Fist2k8]

Little doubt in my mind Byker 15/2 on th exchange, who really wasn't asked too serious a question last time is absolutely thrown in here with 10st12lbs.

No way in telling how  good Bad is which is a bit of a worry.

I would be looking to place Lay Takao who didn't impress me one but last time and I reckon he's a false favourite