Jockeys and trainers have no rest come the turn of the year, but it is quality racing and well worth getting involved with. Newbury and Warwick are the spectacles on New Year’s Eve, with the Betfred Mandarin Handicap at Newbury one of the highlights at 2.35pm. There’s expected to be plenty of cut in the ground on Saturday 31st December and that will suit the likes of Quotica De Poyans and Key Cutter, with the latter being preferred at the prices. Dominic Elsworth rides for Paul Webber and they’re set to have a good season when looking at their fire power. It’s a 7-race card at Newbury, starting at 12.20pm and ending at 3.40pm, so plenty of action for punters to take care of. The Totescoop6 Levy Board Handicap Hurdle should be a cracker at 3.40, with old favourite Celestial Halo trying to concede weight to his rivals. He should put in a solid effort, but you would have to feel he’ll find things quite tough against a few others. Lifestyle, Ubi Ace and Dunraven Storm should give Halo plenty to think about and the feelings are that the winner will come from those three. Several others have chances and top trainers and jockeys take part, so should be a good race. Channel 4 are showing the last four races from Newbury, with Racing UK showing all the races. An interest at Warwick would have to be the 2.20pm race, with Samurai Way and That’s Ben taking the eye at fair prices. Both should run their races and should therefore go well. Bookmakers will be offering ‘Best Odds Guaranteed on all the live terrestrial races, so make sure you take a price early to guarantee those best odds. Warwick is a left handed sharp track, so horses that race up with the pace will have a slight advantage of softening ground. Lingfield (aw flat), Punchestown (jumps), Tramore (jumps) and Uttoxeter (jumps) make up the rest of racing for New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Day sees Cheltenham take centre stage and big crowds are expected. They host a 7-race card, with four of the races being shown live on Channel 4. Invictus and Walkon make plenty of appeal in the 1.05pm race, with Alan King training both and expecting big runs from both. Nicky Henderson trains Solix in the race, but not a good price, despite having every chance and trainer confidence. The Victor Chandler Chase over 2 miles and 5 furlongs is competitive and picking the winner will not be easy. Several have chances, and at good odds, Cappa Bleu could run a decent race. Catterick (jumps), Exeter (jumps), Fairyhouse (jumps), Fakenham (jumps), Musselburgh (jumps), Southwell (aw flat) and Tramore (jumps) make up the cards for New Year’s Day in the UK. Out of those meetings, the 3.00pm race at Musselburgh draws attention, as with top northern trainers having a pop, it should be a cracker. The value appears to lie with Riguez Dancer and Santa’s Son, so both are worthy of an each way bet.
