{"id":72857,"date":"2025-12-10T06:39:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T06:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=72857"},"modified":"2025-12-12T07:22:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T07:22:54","slug":"andy-newtons-cheltenham-horse-racing-tips-itv-racing-friday-12th-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/andy-newtons-cheltenham-horse-racing-tips-itv-racing-friday-12th-december-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Andy Newton’s Cheltenham 1-2-3 Best Bets: Friday ITV Racing Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s day one of the Christmas Meeting at Prestbury Park on Friday, with FIVE races LIVE on ITV Racing – so, as always, around the big fixtures – you can see Andy Newton’s Cheltenham horse racing tips and 1-2-3 best bets.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cheltenham Horse Racing Tips: Friday 12th December 2025\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The ITV Racing schedule<\/a> on Friday sees five LIVE races on the ‘free-to-air’<\/em> channel on the seven race card.<\/p>\n

We see the first of the ITV races at 1:15pm for the Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle. A race that’s seen three of the last five winners ridden by a claiming jockey.<\/p>\n

The Veterans’ Chase at 2:25pm will welcome the return of some old faces, including 2023 December Gold Cup winner Fugitif.<\/p>\n

Plus we’ve also got the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Chase (3:00pm). Can Mister Coffey finally win over fences?<\/p>\n

Andy Newton, who fired in plenty of winners last weekend, is on hand with his 1-2-3 Cheltenham horse racing tips.<\/p>\n

You can also see Andy’s daily Lucky 15 horse racing tips<\/a> – including NAP, NB, best e\/w picks and highlighting the trainers in-form.<\/p>\n

\"Andy
Andy Newton’s Free ITV Racing Tips For Friday 12th December 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:15 Cheltenham \u2013 Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle Cl3 (3yo+ 0-140) 2m1f ITV<\/strong><\/h3>\n

French Emperor was a good winner here last month and is respected despite being 7lbs higher. Sean Bowen riding is an obvious plus too.<\/p>\n

Seven year-old Iberico Lord is the top-rated (138) and on his best form can’t be ruled out, but was well back in the Greatwood Hurdle here last time and is only a pound lower.<\/p>\n

But 10 of the last 12 winners have been aged six or younger.<\/p>\n

The Skelton runner Fortune De Mer won here in October, despite drifting in the betting that day, and has since run a fair race to be second at Ascot so is another shortlisted.<\/p>\n

But another horse who won on that Cheltenham October card was LELOOPA,<\/strong> who scooted home by 4 3\/4 lengths that day.<\/p>\n

This Fergal O’Brien-trained five year-old is up 6lbs here but Tom Broughton, who was on the last day, can claim 5lbs this time.<\/p>\n

Meaning he’s only a pound higher here – while this has also been a good race for claiming riders with three of the last five ridden by a conditional.<\/p>\n

Nine of the last 12 winners were also aged five or six, while 11 of the last 12 finished in the top four last time.<\/p>\n

Of those at bigger prices, another who is ridden by a claimer is Continuance, with Freddie Keighley in the plate.<\/p>\n

He was an improved second at Sandown last time out and should strip fitter now with that only his second outing this season.<\/p>\n

Brentford Hope could bounce back too.<\/p>\n

He’s not quite been enjoying himself over fences and is back over hurdles on a fair mark. With Megan Fox also taking off a handy 7lbs.<\/p>\n

Don’t forget he ran Constitution Hill to three lengths in the International Hurdle here back in January.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd47<\/b>LELOOPA
\n<\/b>\ud83e\udd48BRENTFORD HOPE\u00a0<\/b>
\n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49FRENCH EMPEROR<\/b><\/p>\n

THREE KEY STATS \ud83d\udcc8<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • <\/i> 11\/12 \u2013 Top 4 finish last time<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 9\/12 \u2013 Aged 5 or 6 years-old<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 5\/12 \u2013 Ridden by a claiming jockey (3 of the last 5)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/div>\n

    \n

    1:50 Cheltenham \u2013 Turners Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m2\u00bdf ITV<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The Warren Greatrex yard are in great form and so their Herakles Westwood is interesting after a nice second here in November.<\/p>\n

    But he’s racing 9lbs out of the handicap with the classy L’HOMME PRESSE<\/strong> in action.<\/p>\n

    Last season’s King George third landed the Cotswold Chase here on Trials Day in January and could just have too much class for this lot – despite a big weight (12st).<\/p>\n

    He’s gone well fresh several times in the past too, so the 300-day break is not too much of a worry.<\/p>\n

    Yes, the form of the Venetia Williams yard has been suspect in recent months, but there are signs of a revival.<\/p>\n

    With Djelo winning the Peterborough Chase last Sunday and another in midweek.<\/p>\n

    The stable also have a fair record in this race, with two wins in the last nine (both ridden by Charlie Deutsch).<\/p>\n

    Gowel Road often goes well here and is interesting back over fences. With his recent third over hurdles to Kikijo having been franked since.<\/p>\n

    2024 Winner King Turgeon Back To Defend Crown<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Last year’s winner King Turgeon will be popular too and is only up 3lbs here.<\/p>\n

    He hasn’t won since (four races), but the Pipe team has a top record in the race with six wins.<\/p>\n

    The Doyen Chief can be forgiven his last run after totally fluffing the start. He’s best judged on his second at Banger to Deep Cave before that.<\/p>\n

    He, therefore, comes with risks if he’ll repeat those antics at the tape again so is overlooked.<\/p>\n

    The Short Go is the pick to follow home L’Homme Presse though.<\/p>\n

    This Henry De Bromhead runner was a fine fourth here in October and does seem to like it here at Cheltenham.<\/p>\n

    He’s up 4lbs for that last run, but is 2-5-4 at Prestbury Park now, including when fifth in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival in March.<\/p>\n

    Connections are also reaching for the first-time tongue-tie and top Irish rider Darragh O’Keeffe comes over for the ride.<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd47<\/b>L’HOMME PRESSE<\/strong>
    \n<\/b>\ud83e\udd48THE SHORT GO\u00a0<\/b>
    \n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49KING TURGEON\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

    THREE KEY STATS \ud83d\udcc8<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    <\/p>\n
      \n
    • <\/i> Trainer Venetia Williams has won 2 of the last 9<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 18\/22 \u2013 Raced within the last 5 weeks<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 6\/22 \u2013 Won by the Pipe stable (including last year)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      <\/div>\n

      WATCH: L’Homme Presse Winning The Cotswold Chase<\/strong><\/h4>\n