Richard Birch looks beyond the obvious in a wide-open Boodles

4.50 CheltenhamBoodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) | 2m½f | Live on RTV

Band Of Outlaws justified 7-2 favouritism 12 months ago but there doesn’t appear to be a standout four-year-old this time.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Aramax heads the market, a position he owes to an eight-length Naas win over Recent Revelations last month.

None of the four who finished in his wake that day have been out again since so it’s hard to be confident about the strength of the form.

Paul Nicholls boasts an enviable Fred Winter record – he won with Sanctuaire (2010), Qualando (2015) and Diego Du Charmil (2016) – and his Mick Pastor has proved popular in ante-post betting.

There was no doubting the authority with which he beat Prefontaine by six and a half lengths at Ludlow in January, but whether that victory entitles him to a mark of 140 is open to conjecture.

Mick Pastor: won with authority at LudlowCredit: Harry Trump

Nicholls also fields Thyme White, thrashed 34 lengths by leading Triumph Hurdle contender Goshen at Sandown in December but a winner at Musselburgh since.

Many of these runners were 70-plus performers on the Flat, including Fraser Island, winner on his hurdles debut at Newbury in December, but arguably disappointing in two subsequent defeats.

Perhaps the one to focus on at decent odds is Saint D’Oroux. Fourth behind the now-140 rated Cerberus in a Grade 3 hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, he opened his account with a very easy 24-length Gowran success last month.

It’s by no means beyond the realms of possibility that he is improving fast and could be ahead of the handicapper.

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Mick Pastor & Thyme White
Mick Pastor has been a bit of a challenge because he was keen in his early days with us. He did the job very nicely at Ludlow though, and has gone forward since then. He could be a really nice horse but I would have preferred better ground for him. The ground won't be a problem for Thyme White, who settled great and won really well at Musselburgh.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Aramax, Saint D'Oroux, Recent Revelations, Tronador and Gealach
Aramax is going the right away and looks to have a very solid chance. Tronador has a very similar profile to Veneer Of Charm, who won this race for us two years ago. You really need to stay and he certainly does that. Recent Revelations has come a long way in a short space of time. He’s getting better all the time and I wouldn’t rule out a very big run. Saint D’Oroux was good at Gowran Park and he’ll like the ground. He jumps particularly well. Gealach will need to improve upon what he showed at Fairyhouse.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Palladium and Fraser Island
Palladium hasn't done anything wrong, except for getting a 13lb rise in the handicap, which wasn't well organised by trainer or jockey! I thought it was very harsh as there was only one other horse in the race and he ran badly so you might ignore Palladium's run, rather than clobber him. Fraser Island won nicely at Newbury in December and then finished third at Kempton and second at Plumpton last time. He's likeable and loves his jumping.

Alan King, trainer of Blacko and Group Stage
This has always been the plan for Blacko. He wouldn't have been ideally suited by having to make the running as he did at Warwick last time. I hope he has more improvement in him after only four races in his life. Group Stage was a pleasing second in Listed company at Musselburgh, which wouldn't be his track. He stayed on there and will be suited by coming back to Cheltenham, where he was a good fourth in a decent race in December.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Zoffee
We'll find out if his hike is too much to overcome but he did win well at Doncaster last time and looks to have improved as well. We're hoping that's the case and he'll manage on the ground, but better conditions might have been more in his favour.

David Pipe, trainer of Night Edition
He's improving with every run and has been around the track already. I see him as a live outsider.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Bajan Excell and Theatre Of War
Bajan Excell won’t mind the ground. In fact, the softer the better for him. We’re fitting him with a visor to help him travel and hopefully he has a place chance. Theatre Of War could potentially have a bit up his sleeve. He’s still a maiden but he stayed on very well at Leopardstown and he’s come on from that again.

Nigel Hawke, trainer of Repetitio
It's a competitive race and you need luck in running but this has been the plan for a long time. He's done nothing wrong, he's a course winner who goes on the ground, he's a race-hardened juvenile and he's improving all the time.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Goa Lil
He won well at Kempton in January and when fourth at Musselburgh last time. He's been running well but is a bit high in the handicap.
Reporting by David Carr

Spotlight verdict

Several potential improvers lurk in the shadows but Palladium drew nicely clear of a useful older horse when winning on heavy ground at Sandown and, in view of last year's exploits on the Flat, he would be even better suited if the ground dried out. Mick Pastor and Aramax, the two JP McManus-owned runners at the top of the weights, are respected but the biggest threat to the selection may emerge from Tronador, who has made a promising start to his hurdling career and remains unexposed. Thyme White should also feature, while Sacchoandvanzetti is a more speculative option to consider.
Chris Wilson

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