Willie Mullins hoping drop in class for Saint Sam and Youmdor pays dividends

4.15 Cheltenham
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Grade 3) | 2m½f | 4yo | ITV/RTV

No other race this week feels so adrift from the rest of the Cheltenham Festival as the race which is better known as the Fred Winter. Other festival handicaps inform future Grade 1s, but the players in this tend to be quiet beforehand and rarely have much to say afterwards.

In spite of the obvious lack of incentives for social runners this year, the field has still filled up. This is partly because juvenile handicappers have relatively few options and for many it still makes more sense to run here than in the Triumph Hurdle. In fact, the two placed horses from the Finale at Chepstow – Britain's only pre-Cheltenham Grade 1 juvenile hurdle – both run here instead of on Friday.

Nassalam finished second at Chepstow when 20 lengths ahead of Houx Gris, but now must concede 13lb. He has also run since, while Houx Gris has nursed his handicap mark of 128 all the way to Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls has a strong record in this race and given his import from France was only confirmed on November 18, the two months Houx Gris has had to prepare since his British debut is likely to have yielded further improvement.

Gordon Elliott has an even better record in the race and he had three of the first four last year. While he is of course suspended at present, Glorious Zoff, Riviere D'etel and Longclaw all had an Elliott-led preparation for this race until a couple of weeks ago so command respect for their new trainers.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Gary Moore, trainer of Nassalam
He's got a fair level of form but a fair level of weight, so that's the main negative for him. The good thing for him is that the ground is now soft, which will suit. That ground does make it harder to carry big weights but I still think getting the ground he wants is a big bonus.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Saint Sam and Youmdor
Saint Sam has been following some of the leading lights in this division all season. We think he has a nice mark here and the uphill finish will play to his strengths. Youmdor will find it tough with top weight, but a return to the form of his win at Gowran Park last November would give him a decent chance.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Elham Valley
We stuck him at the bottom and I think he's improved from Haydock. He seems to be working and jumping a bit better so we're very happy with him. He deserves to be there on his Chepstow form, where he wasn't far behind Houx Gris.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Busselton and Druid's Altar
Busselton has run two nice races in Ireland and this looks the logical race for him. He probably lacks a bit of experience compared to some of the others but we are hoping he can run well. I don’t think he wants it too heavy, but I don’t think the ground will be that bad and hopefully the rain won’t inconvenience him too much. Druid's Altar has form on soft ground and the rain will have helped him. He won at Naas in a race that has thrown up a couple of winners of the Fred Winter, so hopefully he can run well.

Denise Foster, trainer of Riviere D'etel and Glorious Zoff
Riviere D'etel looked nice on her first run in Ireland at Punchestown. She was beaten last time by a smart horse of Noel Meade's, but we have yet to see the best of her. Glorious Zoff had a light campaign through the winter. The team feel he's a horse who will come into himself in the spring and he warmed up for this with a nice win on the all-weather at Dundalk.

John McConnell, trainer of Longclaw
He’s as well as he can be without having gotten a run into him. We schooled him in the Curragh a couple of times and he jumps very well.

Denis Hogan, trainer of Zoffanien
He will be fine on the ground, has a nice weight and a good man on board. I am quietly hopeful of a big run from him.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Coltor
He left our yard in good form and is in great order. I think he has an each-way chance in what is a competitive race.

Noel Meade, trainer of Jeff Kidder and Curious Bride
We’d love it if the ground wasn’t too soft for Jeff Kidder. The better the ground, the better chance he has. Curious Bride has won on soft but I think she’d be better on quicker ground.
Reporting by Brian Sheerin

Tuesday's race previews:

1.20 Cheltenham: will the cream rise to the top in smallest Supreme field in modern history?

1.55 Cheltenham: dangers await but here's why Shishkin should have all bases covered in Arkle

2.30 Cheltenham: Happygolucky has 'outstanding chance' to bring Bass and Bailey glory in Ultima

3.05 Cheltenham: Goshen goes in search of redemption for Moores in Champion Hurdle

A champion on the wane and a challenger ready to reign: who wins the big clash? (Members' Club)

Who do racing's finest experts fancy to win a vintage Champion Hurdle (Members' Club)

3.40 Cheltenham: can Concertista take her place among greats in quality running?

4.50 Cheltenham: 'He's got endless stamina' – smart stayers clash in National Hunt Chase

Place a bet on any race at Cheltenham with William Hill and get up to £/€10 in cash if your horse finishes second. Money back credited as cash up to £/€10 per race. First bet qualifies, race winner market only. Min odds 3/1, 4+ runners. Other terms and restrictions apply. Full details here

This applies to all bets placed on Racing Post products