{"id":74616,"date":"2025-12-31T01:00:46","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T01:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=74616"},"modified":"2026-01-02T08:29:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T08:29:40","slug":"itv-racing-tips-new-years-day-cheltenham-musselburgh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/itv-racing-tips-new-years-day-cheltenham-musselburgh\/","title":{"rendered":"Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips On New Year’s Day: Cheltenham and Musselburgh Best Bets"},"content":{"rendered":"

More ITV Racing tips and bet bests from SportsCasting’s Andy Newton as the ‘free-to-air’ channel is covering SIX races on Thursday (New Year’s Day) from Cheltenham and Musselburgh to welcome in 2026.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips From Cheltenham and Musselburgh on New Year’s Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The ITV Racing schedule<\/a> on New Year’s Day will see SIX races across Cheltenham and Musselburgh, on what will be the first racing day of 2026.<\/p>\n

At Cheltenham there are four live ITV races to look out for, that include the Grade Two Relkeel Hurdle (2:35pm), where all eyes will be on the hot favourite Kabral Du Mathan.<\/p>\n

Then the ITV Racing cameras are also heading north of the border to Scotland to take in two races at Musselburgh, including the Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle (1:40pm).<\/p>\n

Where last year’s winner Bold Light is back for more.<\/p>\n

So, to hopefully see New Year in with some winners, don’t miss Andy Newton’s<\/a> ITV Racing horse racing tips as he gives his 1-2-3 best bets and also some key trends for the best of the action.<\/p>\n

Plus also see Andy’s daily horse racing tips<\/a> and cheat sheet – including his NAP, NB, Lay Of The Day and hot trainers list.<\/p>\n

Cheltenham Horse Racing Tips On Thursday 1st January 2026<\/h2>\n

\"December<\/p>\n

1:25 Cheltenham – Betfair Handicap Chase (Gbb Race) Cl2 (5yo+ 0-150) 3m1\u00bdf ITV<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Nicky Henderson likes this race with three wins in the last seven runnings, so his Excello is of interest based on that alone.<\/p>\n

He did run well to be third in the Grand Sefton at Aintree two runs back, but despite being sent off 5\/1 for the Becher Chase next time, was a poor 10th.<\/p>\n

Certainly, a bit of an in-and-out character, but on his Sefton run (same mark) could easily bounce back.<\/p>\n

The 11yo Does He Know is the only recent winner in the field, but with ALL of the last ten winners NOT winning last time out, this is a stat against him.<\/p>\n

As is his age, with 70% of the last 10 aged nine our younger.<\/p>\n

Katate Dori is still dining out on his easy Ladbrokes Trophy Chase win at Kempton last season but has struggled since and is still rated 10lbs higher.<\/p>\n

Sean Bowen catches the eye riding for Irish trainer Ian Patrick Donoghue, while the consistent Herakles Westwood has run two fair races in defeat here at Cheltenham this season and is sure to be in the mix.<\/p>\n

But a chance is taken on the 2024 runner-up in this race – INCH HOUSE<\/strong>, who represents the in-form Paul Nicholls yard.<\/p>\n

He was a fair 6th here at the October Meeting to Three Card Brag, but is 3lbs lower this time.<\/p>\n

Yes, he’s been pulled up in three of his last four, including in the Hennessy last time – so does come with risks.<\/p>\n

But is rated 8lbs lower than when taking silver in this two years ago.<\/p>\n

And with the Nicholls camp in fine fettle, he could be the value call in a race were 50% of the last 10 winners have also been aged nine.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd47INCH HOUSE
\n\ud83e\udd48HERAKLES WESTWOOD\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>
\n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49EXCELLO\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

KEY STATS \ud83d\udcc8<\/strong><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
    \n
  • <\/i> 10\/10 \u2013 Didn\u2019t win last time out<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 9\/10 \u2013 Finished unplaced last time out<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 9\/10 \u2013 Carried 11st 1lb or more<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 9\/10 \u2013 Ran in the last 6 weeks<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 8\/10 \u2013 Wore headgear<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 7\/10- Aged 9 or younger<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 7\/10 \u2013 Raced at Cheltenham before<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 5\/10 \u2013 Aged 9 years-old<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 3\/10 \u2013 Trained by Nicky Henderson (3 from last 7)<\/li>\n
  • <\/i> 2\/10 \u2013 Winning favourites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/div>\n

    \n

    2:00 Cheltenham – Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Gbb Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4\u00bdf ITV<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    December Gold Cup winner Glengouly will be popular again as Sean Bowen is sure to make another bold bid from the front.<\/p>\n

    He’s only 3lbs higher and still gets in here with just 10st 3lbs – you can watch his December Gold Cup win below.<\/p>\n

    Just Over Land will be on many shortlists too after a good win at Chepstow but is up a big-looking 16lbs for that win and this looks harder.<\/p>\n

    On a plus though the Sam Thomas yard are in good form and Ben Macey take off 7lbs, so is another with a featherweight of just 10-2 (less Ben’s 7lbs).<\/p>\n

    Il Ridoto 2lbs Lower Than Paddy Power Win\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Il Ridoto will be known to many, being the 2024 Paddy Power Gold Cup winner, but actually hasn’t won a race since and comes here just 1-17.<\/p>\n

    The positive though is that he’s slipped to 139, which is 2lbs below that win (plus Freddie Keighley’s 7lb claim) and the Paul Nicholls yard are in super nick.<\/p>\n

    Moon d’Orange won on Trials Day here last season but is 4lbs higher this time and needs to bounce back from a poor run in the Hennessy.<\/p>\n

    So, the two I like here are TWINJETS<\/strong> – another for Nicholls – and RISKINTHEGROUND.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The former is in top form after winning his last two, including an easy 10 length success at Newbury last time, with a 7lb rise for that looking fair.<\/p>\n

    While the form of his win before that at Fontwell has since been franked with the runner-up Etalon winning since.<\/p>\n

    Riskintheground beat Blueking d’Oroux at Newton Abbot in October and probably found the longer Hennessy trip against him last time – but still ran a fair 9th.<\/p>\n

    Back in trip here will help and certainly won’t mind the drying ground.<\/p>\n

    He’s a CD winner too, when going in at the April Meeting last season and Harry Skelton is back in the saddle, who has won seven times on this 9yo.<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 RISKINTHEGROUND
    \n\ud83e\udd48 TWINJETS<\/b>
    \n<\/b>\ud83e\udd49 GLENGOULY<\/b><\/p>\n

    KEY STATS \ud83d\udcc8<\/strong><\/h4>\n
    <\/p>\n
      \n
    • <\/i> 22\/22 \u2013 Had run over fences at Cheltenham before<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 21\/22 \u2013 Raced within the last 2 months<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 18\/22 \u2013 Priced 10\/1 or shorter in the betting<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 17\/22 \u2013 Rated 138 or higher<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 16\/22 \u2013 Aged 8 or older<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 2\/22 \u2013 Trained by Dan Skelton (2 of the last 5)<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 2\/22 \u2013 Ridden by Harry Skelton (2 of the last 5)<\/li>\n
    • <\/i> 9 or the last 10 winners aged between 7-9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      <\/div>\n