Paul Nicholls, who has won the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle (Fred Winter) three times over the years, has revealed his best chance for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival race this year.
Paul Nicholls On Liari ” He’s as Good as Any of the Horses I’ve Won The Race With”
Only trainer Gordon Elliott (4) has won the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival more times than Paul Nicholls (3).
So, when the six-time Cheltenham Festival top trainer lifts the lid on his best chance in the race – we should all stop what we’re doing and take notice – right?
The horse in question is LIARI, who the champion handler feels is as good as any of his three past winners of the Boodles – or the Fred Winter to older readers.
Liari is currently around 12/1 with the best UK horse racing betting sites and with most firms going non runner, no bet on the Festival races then you can wager with the safety net should this Paul Nicholls Cheltenham pick not make the race.
This 4 year-old will head to the race having won ALL three starts over hurdles, including last time at Musselburgh, when powering away by 5 lengths (watch below).
Paul Nicholls Thinks Liari Will Like The Better Ground
“He’s three from three and I think he’ll like better ground. He’s probably more likely to go for the Boodles as he’d have to improve 10lb or so to compete with Sir Gino in the Triumph. Liari is as good as any of the horses I’ve won the Boodles with and it’s a race we’ve done well in. Paul Nicholls told the Racing Post.
“He’s smart and we’ve not seen the best of him yet. He won very nicely at Musselburgh last time – he made all, jumped brilliantly and they got nowhere near him.
“I could see him running very well. He’s a laid-back horse and versatile. He has plenty of speed and jumps well, which is what you need.”
Nicholls Has Won The Boodles Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle Three Times
The Fred Winter – or the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle – is a race Paul Nicholls loves to fire one at, having won the race three times over the years.
It was in 2010 that Nicholls started his Boodles love affair when Sanctuaire, who was also ridden by Ruby Walsh, won. Qualando in 2015 was his second success in the race, when partnered by Nick Scholfield, and he followed up a year later with the Sam Twiston-Davies-ridden Diego Du Charmil in 2016.
While, most recently, Nicholls also had some near-missed – the third in 2022 with Bell Ex One and the fourth in 2021 with Houx Girl.
What Date & Time Is The Boodles Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle?
📅Time/Date: 4:50pm (Tuesday 12th March 2024)
🏇Racecourse: Cheltenham
💰 Winner: £45,016
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
See the full 2024 Cheltenham Festival running order, race times and schedule.
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