Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Our preview for the 2024 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle offers an in-depth analysis from our racing betting experts. We’ll explore the race’s history and provide a focused betting perspective for the current edition.

24 runners and riders will take to the field for the penultimate race of the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. For once this is a race without a Willie Mullins’ horse heading the betting, though the yard does field a few entries.

An exciting finish in the 2023 edition of the race saw Jazzy Matty give Gordon Elliot a win by a neck at 18/1, with Byker and Risk Belle in close company. Of those three only Risk Belle runs at the Festival this year, in the County Handicap Hurdle on the final day.

Joseph O’Brien’s Lark In The Mornin currently heads the betting at 6/1. We prefer Paul NIcholls’ charge Liari, who will be steered by Harry Cobden. With three from three in hurdles having come over from France, this is one that should be on everyone’s shortlist.

Willie Mullins enters Miss Manzor, a good looking horse with fine recent form and worth a shout at 11/1, and as this is one of those races that could go any way we recommend a look at some of the horses at big prices.

Teorie, hailing from Fergal O’Brien’s yard, is a potential place finisher especially if you can find a bookie offering extra places. A recent winner at Southwell, 33/1 looks an attractive price in a wide open race.

For each way punters this is a race to look closely at.

• Day 1 Cheltenham featured races quick links:
  • 13:30 Supreme Novices Hurdle Tips
  • 14:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy Tips
  • 14:50 Ultima Handicap Tips
  • 15:30 Champion Hurdle Tips
  • 16:10 Mares Hurdle Tips
  • 16:50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips
  • 17:30 National Hunt Chase

While the favorites often attract the most attention in betting for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, delving into the longer odds can be rewarding. History shows that underdogs have their moments of glory in this race.

In 2017, Flying Tiger, a 33/1 outsider, won under Richard Johnson, narrowly beating the 9/2 favorite Divin Bere. The trend of high-odds winners continued the next year with Veneer Of Charm winning comfortably at 33/1.

The 2021 edition witnessed one of the most remarkable upsets in the race’s history. Jeff Kidder, initially at 66/1, triumphed at an 80/1 starting price, beating nearly all in a 22-runner field. Additionally, Elham Valley, a 66/1 choice, finished third.

Last year, while not as dramatic as Jeff Kidder’s win, still featured an 18/1 outsider, Jazzy Matty, who narrowly defeated Byker in a gripping finish.

Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Trends

The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, a race reserved for the youngest National Hunt racers, marks its 18th year. This race often offers value, with less than a third of its winners having starting odds in single figures. Of these, only six were favorites, and within the last decade, Band Of Outlaws is the sole market leader to win.

The odds of past winners indicate a trend towards longshots, with victories at 20/1, 40/1, 14/1, 11/1, 40/1, 25/1, 33/1 (three times), 80/1, and most recently, Brazil at 10/1. These winners weren’t just slightly favored; they were true outsiders, some even considered highly unlikely.

Despite this, it’s worth noting big stables have trained many of these unexpected winners. Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, and Gordon Elliott are among those who have saddled such winners, with Noel Meade preparing 2021 victor Jeff Kidder. Last year’s triumph by Padraig Roche’s trainee marked his first Cheltenham Festival win.

This trend might indicate top stables holding back their best for this race. With the field’s limited experience, surprises are common. Often, we either haven’t yet seen the best from some of these four-year-olds, or they have improved significantly since their last start, a phenomenon more prevalent in this race than any other.

While most winners have demonstrated potential earlier in the season, Jeff Kidder was the first in eight years to win carrying less than 11 stones.

A striking statistic is the diversity of winning jockeys in this race. In its 18-year history, 17 different jockeys have claimed victory, with Mark Walsh being the only one to win twice – in 2020 with Aramax and most recently with Brazil.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Stats

When evaluating contenders for the handicap race, consider these key statistics:

Rating Range: A majority of the winners (11 out of the last 15) had a rating between 125-134. This range is a good starting point for assessing the four-year-olds entered in the race. Although last year’s winner, Brazil, broke this pattern with a rating of 137, he brought a higher level of class to the race than usual.

Recent Performance: It’s beneficial to focus on horses that have performed well in their recent races. Ten of the last 15 winners entered the Fred Winter after finishing in the top 4 in their previous outing. A good recent run might lead to a higher weight, but it also indicates form.

Breeding Background: Pay close attention to the breeding of the horses. An overwhelming majority (13 out of the last 15 winners) were bred in France or Ireland. With home-bred juveniles not performing as well lately, those bred abroad, especially in Ireland (7 winners) and France (4 winners), are worth considering.

Race Quality: Look for horses that have competed in higher-quality races. Nine of the last 15 winners had participated in a Class 2 or higher race before the Fred Winter, with eight having run in a Listed or better race. Horses proven in higher-quality races but now dropping in class can be strong contenders.

Sire Pedigree: The breeding pedigree, particularly the sire’s achievements, is significant. Ten of the last 14 winners were sired by a Group One flat race winner, and more specifically, five of the last eight winners were sired by a winner of a one mile four furlong Group One race. Horses with this pedigree are likely to have inherent class and stamina, beneficial traits for a winner.