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Another race that is on the hit list by a lot of the racing media is the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter).
Personally, I can see why a lot of people don't like this race as it is filled with horses who are probably on the well-handicapped side of things, and connections feel like they can get a Festival win under their belt, rather than chance their arm in the bigger Juvenile Grade 1 later in the week.
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Cheltenham 4:50 – Byker 5/1 (1pt ew) 6 places
Let's not beat around the bush, this is a total minefield of a race like it is most of the time. I always think it's hard to dissect Juvenile form unless they've got collateral form between them, as it's hard to weigh up what's good form and what's bad form. You also have to remember that these are still very young horses and they can improve plenty of pounds in a matter of months, due to maturing.
The main talking horse who has been receiving a lot of attention to do the market movement is Bad for the Ben Pauling stable. I don't watch too much French racing, unless it's the big races, so I can't really comment on this horse's form as all three runs have been in France. He won on his latest start, which produced an RPR of 124, which isn't bad going. Ben Pauling has been in tremendous form all year round and when asked about this horse, he did seem bullish about his chances. This horse reminds me of Gaelic Warrior who had a similar profile when running in this race last year, he was well punted from never running in Ireland and went off 13/8F, losing by a short-head. If this horse was Willie Mullins, I imagine he'd be close to favourite, especially with the market confidence around him.
A race that has produced 3 winners of the last 4 renewals of this race is the Naas Novice hurdle race which takes place in the early stages of February. Those who win that race have gone on to win in this race, including the likes of last year's winner Brazil, Aramax and Band Of Outlaws. The winner of that race takes his chance in this, but so do the ones in behind, and I'll be having a go on the Charles Byrnes' horse, Byker.
This horse finished that race with an absolute rattle, staying on all the way to the line after not jumping the last cleanly. He was beaten by 1.75L to Sir Allen but was giving that horse 7lbs as he was carrying a penalty that day. The winner is now 15 lbs worse off at the weights with Byker as Philip Byrnes takes the ride and claims 5 lbs. I know this horse will stay this trip, will love the ground, and might be one of the ones who stays up the hill better than the others.
I can't mention every runner in this, but Tekao deserves a mention. This horse has been sitting at the top of the market for this race for some time. He recently finished 3rd in the Grade 1 behind Lossiemouth and Gala Marceau. That looks like a good bit of form, and Willie clearly feels this is a graded horse in a handicap, which is always the betting angle you should be looking for. He runs off a mark of 135 so probably is well-handicapped, but I think his price has gone and I think there are others who are well-handicapped too, like Byker.
Perseus Way might attract some EW money after his good run at Kempton when finishing second in the Grade 2, finishing behind the Irish Raider Nusret. Like a lot of Gary Moore horses, he chuckled the last hurdle. He is a good horse with ability, shown when finishing behind Comfort Zone in third place in another Grade 2. He beat Samuel Spade who is another Pauling runner in this, at bigger odds. Connections are in good form, couldn't totally write him off.
This is probably the toughest race of the day, so small stakes are probably advised. It wouldn't surprise me to see a big-priced winner in this.
