A full schedule of racing treats punters to a superb start to the year on New Year’s Day, as nine courses go to post on Thursday 1 January.
Joe Napier has picked out our Lucky 15 best bets for the opening day of 2026, with his selections running at Cheltenham and Musselburgh.
Cheltenham Racing Tips (Thursday 1 January 2026)
Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day card treats punters to a variety of different betting puzzles, as our two tips on the card come from a strong novice chase and a competitive stayers’ handicap.
12.50 Cheltenham – Eagle Fang (1pt e/w – 9/2)
Regent’s Stroll is not yet the guaranteed finished article, while Califet En Vol made some untidy shapes at his fences during a disappointing chase debut here last month. As a result, third favourite of five Eagle Fang may profit for William Durkan on his raid from Ireland. Turning just six on New Year’s Day, the selection was placed in open Grade 2 company over hurdles last season, while he also held his own in the Long Walk Hurdle and Coral Cup, the latter off a heady mark in handicap company. His chase debut hinted that he may prove even better over fences though, as he beat a useful field at Thurles from which the second and fifth have won convincingly since. He looks a very good value alternative to the top two.
1.25 Cheltenham – New Order (1pt e/w – 10/1)
A progressive chaser once he underwent wind surgery last term, New Order did not immediately pick up where he left off when underwhelming on his return, but has since made up for it with a big run for second at Sandown last time out. Charlie Longsdon’s charge won three times over fences last season over trips ranging from 2m3½f-3m, but looks a thorough stayer having rallied gamely when headed to go down narrowly to a well-treated rival on his recent run in Esher. He is up another 3lb for that effort, but he continues to improve and should have another each-way chance in this 3m1½f handicap given his staying power and general consistency.
Musselburgh Racing Tips (Thursday 1 January 2026)
Musselburgh’s meeting on New Year’s Day perfectly compliments Cheltenham’s main event, with our two tips on the card being previous course winners who may prove specialists at the track.
1.40 Musselburgh – Wise Eagle (1pt e/w – 9/2)
Classy flat horse Wise Eagle remains well-treated on his current hurdles mark and the top-weight can confirm the promise of his first full campaign over timber last term. He won twice, at this track and Catterick, before finishing a close second at Kelso on soft ground over 2m. However, he is generally better on a quicker surface on the level, on which he is still rated 99, while he was a close fourth of 14 with a rating of 103 at Musselburgh in April. He clearly likes it here, has plenty of potential off a hurdles mark of 127, and should comfortably stay this 2m4f trip with obstacles in his way, and may even improve further for it.
2.15 Musselburgh – Insurrection (1pt e/w – 11/2)
Insurrection requires forgiveness for a lesser effort to conclude his 2024/25 campaign, but Paul Nicholls’ charge could easily be ripe and ready to fire after a lengthy time off the track. He won first time out two seasons ago over hurdles, then put in one of his better performances of last season on his return when second in a Listed novice chase on his fencing debut. He one-upped that run when winning by a wide margin over track and trip in February though, as he and Harry Cobden kicked clear to win by 16 lengths. Given how well this course and distance clearly suited, he is worth sticking with at Musselburgh after finishing only mid-division at the Cheltenham Festival and failing to fire at Sandown, as he is only 5lb above that last winning mark.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Thursday 1 January
12.50 Cheltenham – Eagle Fang (1pt e/w – 9/2)
1.25 Cheltenham – New Order (1pt e/w – 10/1)
1.40 Musselburgh – Wise Eagle (1pt e/w – 9/2)
2.15 Musselburgh – Insurrection (1pt e/w – 11/2)
GG Lucky 15 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 GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides GG’s Lucky 15 tips on Thursday 1 January from Cheltenham & Musselburgh.
When were today’s Cheltenham & Musselburgh tips published?
Our Lucky 15 tips for Wednesday were published at 11.05am on Wednesday 31 December.
Which racecourses run on Thursday 1 January 2026?
Cheltenham, Catterick, Exeter, Fairyhouse, Musselburgh, Newcastle, Southwell, Tramore & Windsor.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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