Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips: Two picks for a competitive race

One of the most competitive events on day one of the Cheltenham Festival will be the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, once-known just as the Fred Winter.

It's a race for four-year-olds only and generally attracts talented youngsters deemed just shy of Grade 1 level for the Triumph Hurdle on Friday. A field of 22 are set to line up.

We’ve looked at the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle odds before Tuesday's race (16:50), where Betfred are paying FIVE places instead of four, AND a FREE BET if your horse finishes second. Check the Betfred Cheltenham promotions page for details.

Liari (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) 9/1

Useful on the Flat in France and now 3-3 over hurdles for Britain's champion trainer after winning the Scottish Triumph Hurdle at Musselburgh last month, dominating from the front. Joint top-weight for this assignment.

Ndaawi (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 9/1

Smart on the Flat and has gained experience over hurdles before winning a Naas maiden on soft ground in January in striking fashion. Handicapper hasn't missed him, but one of two for trainer seeking record-extending fifth win in this contest.

Batman Girac (Willie Mullins/Daryl Jacob) 9/1

A winner over hurdles in France and having disappointed on stable bow for this handler, he caught the eye in fourth in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown over Christmas, a race that has worked out very well indeed. One of three for the yard.

Miss Manzor (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) 14/1

French hurdles winner behind some of these on stable bow at Christmas, but that was a Leopardstown Grade 2 so no easy starting place after a break and has since won a Fairyhouse maiden (2m, soft).

Eagle Fang (William Durkan/Philip Enright) 16/1

Had contested some good races and run with credit prior to getting off the mark at Naas (2m, heavy) last month in a race that has a track record of being a good guide for this contest.

Karia Des Blaises (Willie Mullins/Sean O'Keefe) 18/1

Winner of her only start over hurdles in France and second-best behind stablemate Miss Manzor at Fairyhouse in January on her second outing for Ireland's champion trainer.

Milan Tino (Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm/Jonjo O'Neill Jr) 5/1

Promising in two French starts and hasn't done a whole lot wrong in two visits here this season for Triumph Hurdle Trials, latterly when third behind Sir Gino. Handicapper appears to have taken a chance with his rating.

An Bradan Fasa (Jack Jones/Tom Bellamy) 22/1

Irish maiden hurdle winner was second to Burdett Road in a Grade 2 Triumph Trial over C&D in November on stable bow then won weaker race on the New Course in December. Fourth in last month's Scottish Triumph Hurdle on a track that may not have suited and a handy 6lb pull with winner Liari now.

Ose Partir (Martin Brassil/Ricky Doyle) 11/1

Eye-catcher when second in a Galway maiden hurdle in the autumn and kept to graded races in three runs since in Ireland. Could be one to really 8ake to this challenge on handicap bow.

Nara (Henry de Bromhead/Mark Walsh) 12/1

Listed hurdles winner in one start at Auteuil last year before joining De Bromhead. Quiet in two runs for new connections but there could be plenty of improvement now when going handicapping.

Mordor (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) 50/1

Useful Flat maiden for David Simcock has made a slow start to life with Gordon Elliott, but his three hurdles runs were not without promise and a sounder surface may suit now switching to handicaps. Price looks too big.

Pigeon House (Jessica Harrington/Keith Donoghue) 33/1

Very consistent since unseating rider on hurdles bow at Ballinrobe last summer, but is now 0-8 in this sphere with five silver medals. Exposed enough and handicapper hasn't offered any respite.

Eagles Reign (Ross O'Sullivan/Tom Harney) 50/1

Gleneagles gelding, shy of some of these on the Flat, but did land a Punchestown maiden on heavy ground in January on fourth hurdles start. More on his plate now.

Balboa (Seamus Mullins/Michael Nolan) 40/1

Useful Flat performer with plenty of hurdling experience. Second to An Bradan Fasa over 2m1f on soft ground here in December and ran well again when third behind Liari at Musselburgh last time.

Lark In The Mornin (Joseph O'Brien/JJ Slevin) 13/2

Useful Flat winner, eye-catcher at Punchestown on third hurdles start when finishing third in January after a bad mistake. More to come in all probability and connections seemingly expecting a big run.

Les Loyautes (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) 28/1

Experienced in France, including a hurdles win last spring, was campaigned over fences there this season and now reverts to small obstacles on a first start for locally-based handler.

Roaring Legend (Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen) 20/1

Fairly useful on the Flat and a promising start over hurdles when runner-up in juveniles at Kempton and Musselburgh, albeit disappointing he couldn't open his account at Market Rasen since when long odds-on.

Palamon (Paul Nolan/Sean Flanagan) 20/1

Improving with each of his three hurdles start and third behind Ndaawi at Naas in January. Gets a fair pull at the weights with that rival now.

Harsh (Joseph O'Brien/Conor Stone-Walsh) 33/1

Promising winner of a Cork maiden over 2m1f in December on second start before disappointing when aimed at a Chepstow Grade 2 over Christmas. Off since and a bounce-back called for.

Bright Legend (Denis Hogan/Daniel King) 16/1

Has shown promise in all three hurdles outings so far, most recently when second to Eagle Fang at Naas in January in a race with a record of proving a good guide to this.

Latin Verse (Syd Hosie/Harry Reed) 16/1

Lots to like in last month's wide-margin handicap success at Ludlow (2m, soft), his second success over timber, albeit he's rated 10lb higher now in a far stronger race.

Teorie (Fergal O'Brien/Paddy Brennan) 33/1

Useful on the level with Jim Bolger in Ireland and 2-3 over hurdles since joining this excellent handler. Brennan is 2-2 on his back and this strong traveller has crept in here off bottom-weight.

Verdict

An Bradan Fasa @ 22/1 & Teorie @ 33/1

A fiercely competitive contest and one in which a host of unexposed 4YOs are set for a dash around Prestbury Park.

Ireland have won the last six renewals and the likes of Lark In the Morning and Ndaawi are major contenders, while French raider Milan Tino has been given a real chance by the assessor. Handicap debutant Ose Partir is noted for Martin Brassil too.

AN BRADAN FASA has winning course form this season and last month's Scottish Triumph Hurdle fourth behind Liari was a good run on a track that quite possibly wasn't going to see him to best effect. He is 6lb better off now and could go close for Jack Jones.

Lots of angles, but bottom-weight TEORIE is one who might be overpriced.

He's twice won under Paddy Brennan this season and, while the form isn't strong from his Southwell win last time, he travelled really smoothly and could have more to come in a strongly-run race such as this. He's worth a shout with five places to play for.

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights.