Horse Racing Tips
Cheltenham Horse Racing Tips For New Year’s Day (2026)
There is no better way to jump into 2026 than racing on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham.
There are seven highly-competitive races on the day with Graded and Listed contests making up a wonderful looking card.
Here, Steve Mullington casts his eye over each race at Prestbury Park on Thursday…
12.15pm – 2m4½f Maiden Hurdle (Class 2)
The Alan King-trained NEON DREAM has yet to race under Rules, after last being seen winning a PTP at Ballycahane some 305 days ago.
The five-year-old must be fit and raring to go for King to unleash him on Prestbury Park, which ranks him as a decent each-way prospect in this maiden.
12.50pm – 2m4½f Novices’ Chase (Class 2)
Winner of a Class 3 Handicap Chase at Newbury on December 17 when ridden Ciaran Gethings, KNIGHT ALLEN comes here in tip-top form and will be ready to do himself justice.
The five-year-old has now won 3 of his 9 starts and has placed in 5 others. The only time he never finished in the frame was on his debut when he was rather unfortunate to be carried out.
1.25pm – 3m1½f Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-150)
The eleven-year-old veteran DOES HE KNOW may well be carrying top weight on a mark of 147 in this handicap, but he is well versed to deal with it.
He registered his ninth career victory at the start of December at Haydock Park when he romped home in veterans event by seventeen lengths.
This race will be no pushover and he has to concede weight to his younger rivals, but his experience will count for much and he’s an each-way player in our horse racing betting.
2.00pm – 2m4½f Handicap Chase (Class 1) (5yo+)
Paul Nicholls has had a few winners of late and TWINJETS (NAP) bids for a hat-trick this afternoon.
Can he go unbeaten throughout 2026? He may not feature in our betting specials but he has a great chance to add another win to his record here.
His victories at Fontwell and Newbury have been franked since, and he looks a good bet from a win prospective.
2.35pm – 2m4½f Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) (5yo+)
He’s a rather restricted price in our sports betting, but KABRAL DU MATHAN will take all the beating in this year’s Relkeel Hurdle.
The five-year-old romped home by 12 lengths at Haydock Park in November and looks an exciting prospect.
3.10pm – 3m Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+)
SPIKE JONES was involved in a thrilling close finish here 20 days ago, and if he runs up to that level again, can play his part in the closing stages once more.
Off a rating of 118 he’s got plenty to find on the book, but Ben Macey’s 7lb claim will really help matters.
3.40pm – 2m1f National Hunt Flat Race (Listed) (Class 1)
It’s rather interesting that Amy Murphy has brought her three-year-old filly back over to England with her for Christmas, and she lines up here in New Year’s Day.
MARVELOUS DRAGONES has run well in her last two fillies’ bumpers in France, and she’s a dark horse in the closing race.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
