Guide to New Year’s Day 2019 ITV Racing

An unusual kick off to the year, with all change when it comes to TV channels. The first day of 2019 will see the end of At The Races – on air since 2004 in it’s current guise – and the launch of the brand new Sky Sports Racing. While (finally) available in High Definition, the fallout from the reshuffle of tracks with Irish racing now only available on the newly rebranded Racing TV remains to be seen. Fingers crossed for a new era of horse racing broadcasting.

Feature Races

1.25pm Cheltenham – Dipper Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

Yanworth, Whisper & Champion Court have all won this race in recent years, and this year’s renewal features a small but classy field who all arguably hold chances. Our tipsters are siding with Defi Du Seuil, who’s comfortable win over Topofthegame looks even better following the latter’s Boxing Day second in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. It’ll be exciting to see On The Blind side return too; considered a genuine competitor to Samcro for Cheltenham Festival, he suffered an injury and didn’t look himself at Aintree when making his return in April. Hopefully the summer break has done him well.

3.10pm Cheltenham – Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2)

Sometimes horses are just ideally suited by certain courses, and Cheltenham has proved an excellent hunting ground for Wholestone so far. Our NAP of the day, he is an impressive 3 from 6 on the new course at Cheltenham. Yet to finish out the top 3 despite contesting only Grade 1 and Grade 2s conditions are in his favour tomorrow to win this race for the second year in a row. Of the others, Clyne has been remarkably consistent, finishing out of the top 4 only once in his entire career. He likes more cut in the ground though so some unexpected rain would help his cause significantly.

Going Reports

Catterick – Good to Soft, Good in places

Cheltenham – Good to Soft, Good in places

Exeter – Soft, Good to Soft in places

Fakenham – Good to Soft, Good in places

Southwell (AW) – Standard

Musselburgh – Good

Fairyhouse – Good, Good to Yielding in places

Tramore – Soft, Heavy in places

Offer Of The Day

If you don’t have a BetVictor account, the well known bookie has an amazing welcome offer if you sign up below. Bet £5 at Cheltenham and get 7 x £5 free bets for the rest of the races!

Market Movers

Cheltenham

2.35pm – Theeaglehaslanded – 20/1 into 12/1
3.50pm – Glory And Fortune – 13/2 (bet365) into 9/4

Musselburgh

12.30pm – Al Kherb – 7/4 into 5/4

Fairyhouse

2.05pm – Ahgetawayyoutadat – 20/1 into 11/

Saturday’s Tips

We landed a huge 61/1 Each Way Double plus a 33/1 #OddsOnThat winner on Saturday’s ITV racing! Today’s tips include our NAP of the Day from Cheltenham, a 21/1 Double and a 33/1 Lucky 15.

Stat Of The Day

Lorcan Williams has ridden 6 horses for Paul Nicholls in the last two weeks, finishing 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 4th and 1st, including a 9/1 winner. They team up for just two horses tomorrow, both at Fakenham: