Sandown - Saturday 31st January

Let's hope Sandown passes it's inspection and we get to see some proper decent winter action at the Esher track. I will be making the usual journey up the M3 all being well. 

13:25, Virgin Bet A Good Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Solider Of The Storm 9/2, 2pts win

Jonjo O'Niell's Soldier Of The Storm ran well to finish 2nd in a decent chase at Hereford last time out. He beat the whole field well apart from the progressive winner and is entitled to come on for that chase debut as he was a bit awkward at some of his fences. The 8 year old has plenty of form on soft ground and is a big strapping sort who should keep improving over fences and this is a winnable race off a mark of 118. 

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14:02, Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase

Haddex Des Obeaux 12/1, 1pt each-way (4 places with Bet365)

This is a hot 2 mile handicap with plenty holding chances. Nothing seems to have anything hidden from the handicapper however and likely favourite Jax Junior is untried on soft ground. Perhaps a chance can be taken on top weight Haddex Des Obeaux. He was off the track a while before re-appearing earlier this season for Donald McCain and built on the comeback run to finish a fair 4th at Kelso 35 days ago. There were plenty of signs for encouragement that day as he was leading until 2 out when he just seemed to lack for a bit of fitness. He should come on again for that and he did finish 3rd in a Tingle Creek at this track back in 2023. He's still only 9 so a there's time for a revival yet now dropping in grade.

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15:10, Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle

Spike Jones 22/1, 1pt each-way (4 places with Bet365)

Henri The Second should go close here back on optimal conditions at a course he loves but he had no excuses when beaten into 2nd here last year and a speculative punt can be taken on Sam Drinkwater's Spike Jones. The 9 year old is carrying a feather weight here which could pay dividends as this will be a proper slog and it's worth noting he's won over further than this on heavy going. The mount of Benjamin Macey, Spike Jones is now off the same mark as when 3rd at Cheltenham earlier in the year and can be forgiven his run last time out as plenty of horses don't take to Windsor. He's been brought out again quickly and in a race that could fall apart, this proven battler is worth a punt. 

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15:42, Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase

Pic Roc 9/2, 2pts win

In a race that is being dominated in the market by top weight Mr Vango and joint bottom weight Fortunate Man, it could be that one in the middle has been overlooked. Ben Pauling is having a wonderful season and his runner here, Pic Roc, is back at the track where he brought his best hurdles form. It's notable how he started favourite for the Coral Gold Cup (ran on well from the rear) and this looks like a much less demanding task. He can be forgiven a poor run at Ascot as nothing really went his way that day and he'll be more at home on this softer ground. He's threatening to land a decent pot and he could ghost into this. 

Wincanton - Thursday 29th January

15:33, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Dick Hunt Handicap Chase

Jupiter Allen 11/4, 2pts win

This staying handicap chase is the highlight of the card down at Wincanton. It will be pretty hard work down at the Somerset track with all the recent rain and so preference here is for Chester Williams's dour stayer Jupiter Allen. Still only a 7 year old, the dual chase winner excels in the mud and is still only a pound higher in the weights than when beating the Doyen Chief at Taunton last February. He's in decent nick this season too, as shown when 2nd at Exeter and when 3rd at this track last time out on ground that would have been quick enough for him. Most of his rivals here are on retrieval missions and Lorcan Williams's mount looks due a return to the winners enclosure. 

Chepstow - Tuesday 27th January

13:00, Floyd's Turfcare & Weed Solutions Ltd Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Luwdvig 3/1, 2pts win

Neil King's Luwdvig won very well at Lingfield last week and has been found a winnable race under the penalty. Looks a horse on the up. 

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15:47, Floyd's Turfcare & Weed Solutions Ltd Handicap Chase

Genietoile 8/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

Rebecca Curtis's 8 year old Genietoile looks to have a fair chance here. He came back from a lengthy absence to finish third at this track in October and that form looks pretty strong in this context. Fell at the first on his next start but if he gets a clear round in here he must be feared with top conditional jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell in the saddle claiming 5 pounds. 

Cheltenham - Saturday 24th January

I will be at Cheltenham on Saturday for an informative trials day, if perhaps not a betting day. The heavy rain has turned the ground testing and a combination of conditions and some highly rated runners has led to some small fields in the graded races. 

13:15 - Jagwar
15:35 - Impose Toi

4/1 double, 3pts win

Gowran Park - Thursday 22nd January

15:30, Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase

High Class Hero 10/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

This big handicap chase was claimed by the subsequent Grand National winner Nick Rocket last year and his trainer, Willie Mullins, looks to have a strong hand again. His team is headed by last year's Scottish Grand National hero Cool Cody but it is another one from Closutton that takes preference and that is top weight High Class Hero. The ride of Danny Mullins, the 9 year old is pretty lightly raced for his age and comes unto this still fairly unexposed at the trip. He looked all about stamina in his early days and will love the forecast testing conditions. He ran a lovely race on seasonal debut at Punchestown in November over a trip too short and it's worth remembering that he finished 3rd when favourite for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April. 

Lingfield - Monday 19th January

13:50, mybettingsites.com Surrey National Handicap Chase

Val Dancer 8/1, 1.5pts each-way (5 places with Bet365)

The 6th running of the Surrey National looks well up to scratch. Hidden History is interesting for the Skelton's now trying marathon trips whilst My Silver Lining is coming back to form and must be respected. Invincible Nao won the Sussex National last year and could run well again but didn't find much for pressure in the London National last time out. Perhaps it's time for the 2024 Welsh National hero, Val Dancer, to strike again. Mel Rowley's stable star has been lightly raced since that memorable win but he's still fairly weighted and ran a cracker to finish 3rd in the Becher Chase last time out. He's fresher than a few of these as this will be just his third run of the season and is well up to winning this. 

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15:20, Watch Unbridled On attheraces.com Handicap Chase

Felton Bellvue 9/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Ben Case's veteran arrives in substandard form but did win at the track last year and is now 5 pounds lower. He needs soft ground which he hasn't had this season so far but he will most certainly get that here and it could be that he has everything falling right for him today. 

Ascot - Saturday 17th January

13:00, BetMGM Handicap Chase

Laganhill 7/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

This is as good a handicap chase as you will find around Ascot this time of year. The Jukebox Kid deserves to be favourite and is likely to bounce back from his Cheltenham disappointment but Laganhill makes more appeal at the prices. Henry Daly's gelding has been steadily progressive over fences and is still lightly raced. He bumped into a decent sort at Bangor last time but was well clear of the rest and this looks like a nice spot for him.

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14:53, BetMGM Holloway's Handicap Hurdle

Came From Nowhere 11/4, 3pts win

I quite fancied Jeremy Scott's up and coming 7 year old for the Lanzarote last week but he was pulled out due to the ground. He looked like a very progressive horse when bolting up at Hereford last time out and should be up to claiming this on the back of that. 

Windsor - Friday 16th January

13:15, Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Gamesters Guy 7/4, 4pts win

The 7 year old Gamesters Guy looked a young horse to follow over hurdles and looks to be progressive over fences this season. He tops the weights here but still looks on an appealable mark on 136 and should take this on his way to better things. 

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15:35, Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle

Great Fleet 8/1, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)

Dan Skelton runs 3 in this but it is the mount of Tristan Durrell who makes most appeal. Great Fleet is still unexposed in this sphere and returned to this trip last time out he duly won as he liked up at Kelso. He's thrown in at the deep end on handicap debut but has experience of hot novice races at Cheltenham to call upon and he looks the sort who'll relish a big field. 

Newbury - Wednesday 14th January

 A fully paid up member once again, I will be at Newbury on Wednesday for the first bit of Berkshire action for 2026. A decent 7 race card with plenty of clues on offer, especially in the early novice hurdles with Sober Glory bidding to get back on track after a blip at Sandown and Nicky Henderson's new recruit, Fire Warning, who gets his UK career started here. 

14:05, DJB Cleaning Handicap Chase

Mahler Moon 12/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

This is a mightily competitive handicap chase for a Wednesday afternoon. Plenty are progressive and have nice profile's (none less so than favourite Buckna who seeks a hat-trick). At the prices Fergal O'Brien's Mahler Moon makes some appeal. The 8 year old is still somewhat unexposed over fences and comes back to the scene of his latest victory (albeit over hurdles). Johnny Burke's mount finished second to Noble Park on chasing debut at Hereford in November and that form was given a boost when the winner shot up 17 pounds after going in again next time out. Mahler Moon then gave Buckna a tough race at Hereford on his next start. He's now 9 pounds better off with that rival for a length and a half defeat and that mission could well be aided by a return to a track Mahler Moon has won at. The latest run looked to have come too soon when slightly disappointing and he's fancied to run well now after a little break. 

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15:50, BOYLE Sports Daily Money Back Meetings Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Premier 6/1, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)

Warren Greatrex's 4 year old Premier has been entered up plenty of times over the past couple of weeks but the weather has scuppered many a plan. Now running here off a feather weight under ideal conditions he must be on the shortlist. The mount of Will Featherstone here, he's not looked the easiest ride but got his act together last time out when winning at Taunton and this flat track shout suit the ex-flat performer well. 

Kempton & Warwick - Saturday 10th January

I will be at Kempton on Saturday (weather permitting) for the first venture to the track of 2026. Let's start there. 

12:55, Coral 'Daily Rewards Shaker' Handicap Chase

Lookaway 11/2, 2.5pts win
Leader In The Park 5/2, 1pt win (saver)

Ben Pauling's Leader In The Park deserves to be favourite here on the back of a good run last time out at Newbury. He's already a winner here but there's a chance that Neil King's likeable 9 year old Lookaway could appreciate this track on his first attempt here. He's been left alone on a mark of 135 after finishing 3rd at Newbury last time but he looked the winner for much of the race and the shorter straight here could lend itself better to his front running tactics better than the long one at Newbury. 

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15:17, Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle

A Pai De Nom 11/2, 2pts each-way (5 places)
Came From Nowhere 11/1, 2pts each-way (5 places)

One of the better renewals of the Lanzarote I can remember. Lainsborough is well fancied after bolting up at Doncaster last time out and looks progressive. This is a big step up in grade however. French Ship has been on a roll this season and comes into this looking for a third straight win but top weight will be challenging to defy. Instead it could pay to go with a couple of other improving novices. Dan Skelton's A Pai De Nom hacked up at Cheltenham in October and followed that up over the shorter trip at Leicester last time out. He still looks well ahead of the handicapper and is made for these sort of events it seems. He must have a big chance for a trainer who has sent out the last 2 winners of this. Jeremy Scott's Came From Nowhere won well at Hereford last time out on his first go at a longer trip. He looked to have plenty in hand that day and this step up in trip again looks a good move. The stable is going very well and he's on a lovely light weight. Big chance. 

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Warwick

13:15, William Hill Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase

Bank On Frank 10/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Ben Pauling's Bank On Frank ran a career best to finish 2nd at Fontwell in November despite never looking a likely winner until he picked up well after the last. It could be that he didn't like the track and will be more at home here. 

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14:25, William Hill Racing Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle

Premier 13/2, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)

Warren Greatrex's 4 year old finally got his act together when narrowly winning at Taunton last time out. He's still improving and likes to come late. This big field should play to his strengths and he's one of the few in this which are relatively unexposed. 

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14:55, William Hill Half A Mill Classic Handicap Chase

L'homme Presse 6/1, 2pts win

A small but select field for this year's Classic Chase. Plenty have chances but there is a chance that Grade 1 winner L'homme Presse could outclass these on favourable soft ground. He can build on a nice seasonal debut at Cheltenham last time out. 

Ffos Las & Taunton - Thursday 8th January

There hasn't been much jumping action so far in 2026 due to the cold weather but here's hoping Ffos Las and Taunton get us back on track.

Ffos Las 15:10, DragonBet Backing British Racing Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Nedzor 6/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

This is quite a poor race and so it could be that Henry Oliver's 7 year old Nedzor finally records his first victory. He's been knocking on the door of late in chases and now reverts back to hurdles over the intermediate trip for the first time. This looks the right trip and he's been steadily progressive of late. Ned Fox claims a handy 5 pounds and this is a very winnable race. 

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Taunton 15:00, 26 February Landlord's Raceday Handicap Hurdle

Celtic Art 9/2, 2pts win

This is probably just about the best race on Thursday afternoon and it's a pretty open affair. For all that, Celtic Art won over course and distance last time out and could well repeat the dose here. Jeremy Scott's admirable 9 year old has struck a bit of form and looks likely to go close again. He's not won off a mark this high before but clearly loves the test round here and it's worth noting that his form in January/February reads 1st, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 1st,1st. 

Cheltenham & Windsor - Thursday 1st January

2026 is here and after a strong end to last year here's hoping this one will get off to a flyer!

Windsor 12:59, DJB Property Services Windsor Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Game Colours 7/2, 2pts win

Windsor seems to lend itself to those who like to be ridden prominently and it could be that Ben Clarke's Game Colours increases this trend. The 8 year old improved on her seasonal debut to finish 3rd at Cheltenham in a hotter race than this and she should strip fitter again for that. She could benefit from once again forcing the pace and top conditional jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell is claiming a handy 5 pounds. 

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Cheltenham 13:25, Betfair Handicap Chase

Excello 12/1, 1pt win

Does He Know 12/1, 1pt win

The long distance handicap chase on the card is a wide open affair with many runners having questions to answer so it may be worth chancing the big outsiders here. Excello is running off the same mark as when beaten under a length at Sandown over this trip last season and seems to prefer this better ground. He's still only 7 and has time to finally come good. Does He Know has already won at the track and is still well weighted on old form. He bounced back with a win at Haydock last time out and is still the class act in here.