Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips: 2023 Betting Preview & Trends

Traditionally known as the Fred Winter, the juvenile handicap hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival is now referred to as the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for sponsorship purposes.

If you're having a punt on day one, check out our top Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle tips below before visiting the best horse racing betting sites.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tips

• Back Champion Green to win - 12/1 with 888sport

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Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Runners in Focus

Here's an in-depth look at some of the leading contenders for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle:

Warrior Heads Ricci Challenge

Horses trained in Ireland have won the last four editions of the Fred Winter and ante-post betting lists for the 2022 renewal are dominated by Irish-trained runners.

Rather surprisingly, Willie Mullins has never won this race but he might just rectify that in 2022 because the rumours are that Gaelic Warrior, owned by Rich Ricci, is pretty good.

It looks like we might have to take those rumours on trust because Gaelic Warrior hasn’t been seen on a racecourse in Ireland since joining Mullins at the beginning of 2021.

However, his form from France, where he ran three times, stacks up nicely given he finished in front of a subsequent Grade 1 winner in Kyrov when keeping on well for third at Auteuil last summer.

His three runs so far have all come on very testing ground, so there is quite a lot to be taken on trust with this horse if conditions are lively at Prestbury Park. But he’s clearly a juvenile of huge potential and his profile alone will ensure that he figures prominently in Fred Winter tips lists.

Read More: Get the best Cheltenham offers for the 2022 Festival

Brazil Turns Corner

Brazil hadn’t really pulled up any trees, despite looking relatively progressive over hurdles, until he took his form to a new level by skating up at Naas in February.

Brazil romped to a 13-length victory against some useful rivals and he was big and bold at the last, suggesting there was still plenty in the tank.

He appeared to relish the soft ground at Naas so conditions at Cheltenham might determine whether connections decide to head over the Irish Sea, but it was hard not to be impressed with that Naas win.

Read More: Champion Hurdle tips

2022 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tip: Champion Green

Champion Green could just be the one for this race for a number of reasons. His 15/2 price at the time of writing puts him top of our Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle tips shortlist.

A high-class operator on the level, where he achieved an official rating of 90, this juvenile wasn't at his best on soft ground over hurdles but finally got on some decent ground at Naas in January.

It was no surprise to see him step up on previous hurdling efforts that day and he barely turned a hair in making all the running to see his rival off with the minimum of fuss.

He looks versatile from a run-style point of view and has the class to travel strongly off a decent gallop. He is also trained by Joseph O’Brien, a man who knows what is required to win this race.

Some nice spring ground at Prestbury Park in March will be right up this horse’s street and he'll be a huge player in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle if allowed to take his chance.

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Tide The Main Challenger For Gordon Elliott

The Tide Turns was pitched into Grade 1 company in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, where he was beaten by around eight lengths in fourth.

That run suggests connections might just think they would have a better chance in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, especially if conditions come up soft. He deserves respect (priced at 5/1 with the best betting sites) for a trainer in Gordon Elliott who has won the race three times since 2013.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Odds

• Odds correct as of 15/03/2022 - For full latest odds head over to 888sport

Fred Winter Cheltenham Trends

• Avoid shorties: This has been a bad race for favourite backers in recent years, with only Band Of Outlaws (2019) justifying that market position since 2010. Moreover, SEVEN of the last 11 winners were sent off 25/1 or bigger!
• Weighty matters: Only one horse has carried 11st 10lb to victory in this race but 11st 8lb has been carried to victory on two of the last three occasions.
• Course form curse: The last 15 editions have been won by horses that had not previously raced at Cheltenham.
• Graded form out: No Fred Winter Hurdle winner had ever placed at Grade 1 or 2 level.
• Don’t show your hand: It also pays not to show your hand in terms of handicap marks. 16 of the 17 winners had already run in a handicap.

Recent Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Winners

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Verdict

A difficult race to call but CHAMPION GREEN has stacks going for him and at 12/1 with 888sport looks a decent ante-post play.

Gaelic Warrior is impossible to assess given we have not seen him on a racecourse since he joined Willie Mullins. That isn’t to say he definitely won’t go off at short odds and bolt up, as that could easily end up being the case.

However, looking at Fred Winter trends, we know that favourites have a poor recent record in this race so it's wise to stay away from the shortest prices.

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