As a new calendar year dawns, there is a packed schedule of racing to herald 2026, as nine courses go to post across Great Britain and Ireland.
GG tipster Andrew Mount has picked out his best bets to begin to the new year on a high, with four selections racing at Cheltenham and Musselburgh.
Cheltenham Racing Tips (Thursday 1 January 2026)
Cheltenham’s annual New Year’s Day meeting boasts plenty of top quality racing, and Andrew tries to solve two of its handicap puzzles below.
12.50 Cheltenham – Knight Of Allen (0.5pt e/w – 20/1 generally)
Knight Of Allen is worth a small each-way punt if all five runners go to post for this Class 2 novices’ chase, despite being unfavourably treated at the weights. Regent’s Stroll will be a tough but to crack – his record below Class 1 level reads 11111 (5-5) – but second favourite Califet En Vol was well held over course and distance on his chase debut, and third favourite Eagle Fang needs it softer. Jane Williams’ Knight Of Allen, one of my ten-to-follow this season, needed the experience when runner-up on fast ground at Chepstow on his chase bow and stepped up on that with a game Newbury win despite his jockey having tack issues. His ability to handle the unseasonably fast conditions could trump official ratings and there’s plenty of improvement to come.
1.25 Cheltenham – Katate Dori (1pt win – 3/1 bet365, 11/4 generally)
Unusually for a Sam Thomas-trained chase, Katate Dori doesn’t have a good record when fresh, needing at least a couple of runs at the start of the season. The eight-year-old looked badly in need of the run when last of seven behind Impose Toi in a Pertemps Qualifier at Aintree on his return to action and will also improve for his respectable 14-1 sixth of 24 to Panic Attack in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury. He tends to come to hand just after Christmas and now has form figures of 42335476 (0-8) on his first two runs each season, compared to 13331121P (4-9) on his third or subsequent outings, with the non-completion behind Myretown in the Ultima at last season’s Cheltenham festival. Softer ground would have helped but he’s still worth a bet.
Musselburgh Racing Tips (Thursday 1 January 2026)
Musselburgh has long been the supporting act on New Year’s Day, with a highly competitive card held at the Scottish venue in its own right on Thursday. Andrew again tackles two contests to try and bring in the new year with some winners.
1.40 Musselburgh – Moonbow (1pt win – 9/2 generally)
Moonbow has been a revelation since his hurdles debut, recording form figures of 13112 (3-5) and clocking some good speed figures on the way. He was denied a hat-trick when finding Ace Of Spades a length and a quarter too good in a 2m4f Class 2 handicap hurdle at Aintree last time but clocked an excellent speed figure and took the ‘swamp’ route on the inside rail whereas the winner challenged wide. Third-placed Serious Operator boosted the form when scoring at Newcastle next time, while fourth-placed Serious Challenge won at Haydock yesterday.
3.25 Musselburgh – Afadil (0.5pt e/w – 11/4)
Afadil’s three previous runs at Musselburgh have produced a non-staying 2m4f third, a win in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in early February 2024 and a close-second in the same race last year. That race will surely be on the agenda again and he looks capable of another good run on route, having generously been dropped 1lb for his latest Sandown third to Go Dante on unsuitably fast ground.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets Today
12.50 Cheltenham – Knight Of Allen (0.5pt e/w – 20/1 generally)
1.25 Cheltenham – Katate Dori (1pt win – 3/1 bet365, 11/4 generally)
1.40 Musselburgh – Moonbow (1pt win – 9/2 generally)
3.25 Musselburgh – Afadil (0.5pt e/w – 11/4)
Knight Of Allen
Andrew Mount’s Horse Racing Tips – Thursday 1 January
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Cheltenham – first race 12:15
- Musselburgh – first race 12:30
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s racing tips?
Andrew Mount provides his best bets at Cheltenham & Musselburgh.
Which racecourses run on Thursday 1 January 2026?
Cheltenham, Catterick, Exeter, Fairyhouse, Musselburgh, Newcastle, Southwell, Tramore & Windsor.
Who is Andrew Mount?
Andrew Mount is a leading horse racing adviser, expert pundit and journalist, contributing regularly to the Racing Post, Racing & Football Outlook, Racing Post Weekender and William Hill radio as well as providing a daily tipping column for the GG.co.uk website for more than 20 years.
When were today’s Carlisle and Navan tips published?
Today’s tips were published at 8.50am on Wednesday 31 December, 2025.
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