Racing expert Newsboy has delivered his comprehensive selections for the New Year's Day race meetings across the UK, with a strong focus on the high-profile action at Cheltenham. His analysis points to potential winners at Prestbury Park, Musselburgh, and Windsor on Thursday, 1st January.
Cheltenham Festival Form to the Fore
The spotlight falls on Cheltenham, where Glengouly is tipped to continue his excellent recent form. The ten-year-old gelding, trained by Faye Bramley and ridden by champion jockey Sean Bowen, caused a major upset last month by winning the December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at odds of 33-1.
That victory over course and distance by a length and a half demonstrated his quality, and Newsboy believes a 3lb higher handicap mark will not prevent another bold showing in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at 2.00pm. The horse raced from 7lb 'out of the handicap' in that previous win, making the new rating look manageable.
Hot Favourite for Grade 2 Feature
In the day's feature race, the Grade 2 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (2.35pm), the selection is the hot favourite, Kabral Du Mathan. Now trained by Dan Skelton after moving from Paul Nicholls' yard, the horse made a stunning debut for his new handler.
He secured a dominant 12-length victory in a handicap hurdle on the Betfair Chase undercard at Haydock. That commanding performance fully justifies this step up in class, and he is expected to be very hard to beat.
Newsboy also suggests Ma Shantou can bounce back to form for trainer Emma Lavelle in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm). Although disappointing at Haydock, a stylish Cheltenham win in October points to his true ability.
Selections Across the UK Meetings
At Musselburgh, the nap of the day is Insurrection in the Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase (2.15pm). The horse was an impressive winner over the same course and distance last February. The next best bet (NB) is Moonbow in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle (1.40pm), who is seeking a fourth win of the season.
For the meeting at Windsor, Guard Duty is the pick to land the Fitzdares New Year's Day Handicap Hurdle (2.50pm).
Newsboy's full list of selections for all Thursday's UK meetings is as follows:
Cheltenham
12.15 Just Golden
12.50 Regent’s Stroll
1.25 Jasmin De Grugy
2.00 Glengouly
2.35 Kabral Du Mathan
3.10 Ma Shantou
3.40 Sally’s Gold
Windsor
11.49 Flagon Dry
12.24 Pottersville
12.59 I Spy A Diva
1.34 Norn Iron
2.09 Kalif D’airy
2.50 Guard Duty
3.22 Fortune Dancer
Musselburgh
12.30 Scarlet Moon
1.05 Marty Mcfly
1.40 Moonbow (NB)
2.15 Insurrection (NAP)
2.51 Snowrocco
3.25 Cueros
Other Meetings
Selections were also provided for the cards at Southwell, Newcastle, Exeter, and Catterick Bridge. The suggested double for the day is Insurrection and Moonbow.
