New Year’s Day 2024’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Cheltenham and Musselburgh.
CHELTENHAM
Race 2 – LIBBERTY HUNTER 11/4
LIBBERTY HUNTER looks like he could continue his good form in the Close Brothers Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
He rebounded from a fall to win by five lengths at Wincanton last time out and is well fancied here.
He is now 9.9lb higher but is still respected.
Race 3 – INCH HOUSE 13/8
INCH HOUSE is certainly one to watch in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase.
The Jonjo O’Neill seven-year-old has made a seamless transition to chasing as he won a Class two Newbury handicap on his first start outside novice company.
He is now 6.6lb higher in a better race but he remains interesting, especially with three wins in his eight outings so far.
Race 4 – STAGE STAR 11/10
STAGE STAR is one of the stars of the New Year’s Day meeting at Cheltenham and he will be hard to beat in the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase.
He produced a big performance to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup here in November, as well as that he produced a magnificent victory in the festival earlier this year.
The Paul Nicholls horse will be hard to beat if he is in the same form here, despite an 11lb rise.
Race 5 – BUTCH 5/1
BUTCH returns from a 65-day lay-off in the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle.
James Bowen’s seven-year-old generally does well when he is fresh, with two wins and a placing from four when resuming runs.
Last time out he won at Southwell in a novice hurdle and if he is at his best, he will definitely be in contention here.
Race 6 -BOB OLINGER 23/20
The queen of Cheltenham Rachael Blackmore takes centre stage in the New Year’s Day meeting, as she rides two-time festival winner BOB OLINGER in the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge was brilliant when winning the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in 2021, and profited from the final fence exit of Galopin Des Champs when landing the Turners Novices’ Chase 12 months later.
The eight-year-old’s form has been in and out since, but he proved at least some of his considerable ability remains intact when making a successful start to the current campaign in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and he returns to Prestbury Park in a bid for back-to-back Grade Two victories.
He has never lost at Cheltenham and certainly warrants respect in a competitive race.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 – AFADIL 4/1
AFADIL could continue his upward trajectory of form as he is one of seven runners in the Tote.Co.Uk Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle.
He struggled in his first two runs on return from wind surgery, but he improved last time out with a third in a hurdle at Taunton.
He receives a handy apprentice weight allowance and has won here before, with a one and a half length victory in a hurdle in February 2023.
Race 4 – FRERE D’ARMES 15/8
FRERE D’ARMES has shown strong form going into the Tote.Co.Uk Auld Reekie Handicap Chase.
The Skeltons’ horse comes off the back of a good second in a strong race at Ascot last time out, where he was narrowly beaten by favourite Boothill.
He will take some beating if he maintains the form he showed at Ascot.
