2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered as The Fred Winter) (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo)
You need to be at least 10lb well in to win this race, which is exactly what connections of Gaelic Warrior think he is, but he won’t be the only one and the bookies have his price locked down. One time ante-post favourite CHAMPION GREEN looks very well handicapped to me off 125 and he looks the bet at 14/1. He won a flat maiden on good ground and earned a flat mark of 90, which would typically translate to a level of ability over jumps that would have him 10lb well-in for this. I particularly like the form of his heavy ground defeat by the now 133 rated Doctor Churchill on Boxing Day, where he gave the winner 3lb and first run, and looked the best horse in the race despite losing – there’s no way Doctor Churchill is 8lb superior. Next time out his saddle slipped and was pulled up when sent off 5/2 favourite at Punchestown – put a line through it – before putting matters right when making all and winning on the bridle in a weaker race two weeks later. I can’t believe he’s been let in off a mark of 125 here and a race like the Boodles must have been the plan when he was purchased by JP McManus after being gelded before his flat career. Rachael Blackmore takes the ride as Mark Walsh prefers Brazil – a minor negative – but trainer Joseph O’Brien has won both Festival juvenile races before and he’s got a cracking chance of adding another.
1pt each-way Champion Green @14/1, 16:50 Cheltenham, Tuesday (1-6, 1/5)
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