Horse Racing Tips
Ascot Horse Racing Tips – Friday 19th December 2025
Ascot’s final race meeting of the year sees fantastic racing taking place at the track.
The quality Jumps card on the Friday features the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices’ Chase, won by subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners Simonsig and Politologue in the past, as well as a Listed Bumper that rounds off a superb afternoon of equine sports betting action.
12.40pm – 2m5½f Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130)
The Ben Pauling-trained SAMUEL SPADE hasn’t quite fired so far this season, but with the stable being in such excellent form, we may just see a different horse on Friday afternoon.
Rated 127, the six-year-old does know how to win, having obliged six times previously, and the booking of Callum Pritchard is a very positive move by the yard.
1.15pm – 2m5½f Maiden Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+)
Ben Pauling could well bring up a quick-fire double early in proceedings, as his DIG DEEP (NAP) looks to have a solid chance of finally getting off the mark after three runner-up efforts thus far.
Narrowly beaten ¾ of a length at Warwick last time, the four-year-old should by rights have too much ammo for this lot and is a confident selection at a racecourse that should suit.
1.50pm – 2m1f Howden Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+)
After raising his game significantly in a Warwick Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase last month, EXCELERO passed the post with nine and a half lengths in hand after a clean round of jumping and he can progress again.
2.25pm – 2m Ascot Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-120)
Two years ago this month, NORMAN FLETCHER ran a stormer at Aintree, and I shall give him another chance today to show us that form.
Always in midfield at Cheltenham last time, he’s reunited with Sam Twiston-Davies here, who he seems to respond better for. He’s a speculative each-way punt in our horse racing betting market for this race.
3.00pm – 2m3f Howden Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (4yo+)
Horses that have finished in front of the Nicky Henderson-trained Jeriko Du Reponet have been prominent in the racing chit-chat this week, and Lucy Wadham’s JAX JUNIOR was last seen stuffing that runner at Kempton by 12 lengths.
I expect the six-year-old to play a prominent role once again here, with Tom Cannon putting the jumping of the four other novices to the test from an early stage.
3.35pm – 2m King Edward VII Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed Race) (4-5yo)
Sired by a top French jumps stallion in Goliath Du Berlais, and by a decent mare Fleur Enchantee, I am particularly enamoured by the breeding of the Sam Thomas-trained JUST FOR DAD.
Walters Plant Hire have another potential “good thing” on their hands here, and I am expecting a top showing from the four-year-old on debut.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
