The ITV7 is available on the very first day of 2025, with a jackpot worth £50,000. GG tries to guide you towards success with our selections in all seven races in the competition.
Race 1 – 1.45pm Musselburgh – LiveScoreBet Best Odds Daily Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle
All of Liari, Sweet Fantasy and Bold Light have more to offer in handicaps, but the vote in race one goes to defending champion BENSON. He is comfortably the oldest and most experienced hurdler in this field, and his recent form is patchy. However, that was also the case coming into this race last year, which he won off 4lb higher than his current mark. His latest run in Grade 1 company was fanciful in terms of winning prospects, but could have put him spot on for this once again.
Race 2 – 2.05pm Cheltenham – Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase
The novice SPRINGWELL BAY was a talented enough hurdler, but might be a chaser who reaches greater heights. His three runs over fences so far have all been very promising, seeing him win at Listed level on debut from a subsequent Graded winner before being a close third over 3m at Cheltenham, then a runner-up, conceding weight all round, over course and distance. His mark of 145 looks exploitable on that evidence and he could get the better of his more exposed rivals.
Race 3 – 2.20pm Musselburgh – Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase
The most in-form runner in this line-up is BOOMSLANG, who was improving over hurdles before making a fine start to his chasing career from October. His trainer deserved plenty of credit for a successful raid over to Ireland when he won on his chase debut at Downpatrick before finishing a runner-up at Newcastle and winning at Carlisle. That latter victory came over 3m, but he should have little issue dropping back to 2m4½f. As he could easily be unbeaten this far, he can be confidently backed to continue his improvement.
Race 4 – 2.35pm Fakenham – Gamble Plant Norfolk Ltd Grand Prix Handicap Hurdle
Although he has not resumed this season on top form, the balance of his juvenile hurdling efforts suggest AN BRADAN FEASA is well treated. He beat Balboa by three lengths off level weights last season, and receives 2lb here even before Jamie Gambin takes off a further 7lb. Couple that with the return to going left-handed, and a promising enough return at Cheltenham before his more disappointing recent efforts, and he could be ready to strike at this level.
Race 5 – 2.40pm Cheltenham – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle
There are other runners who remain in better form, but the latest run by CATCH HIM DERRY can be easily forgiven in isolation. The seven-year-old had won on three of his four handicap starts prior to pulling up at Haydock last time out, but it was his second run back from a break in decidedly hotter company than he had faced before. Conditions were also extremely testing that day, but this should prove easier on good-to-soft, and this otherwise progressive sort makes significant appeal.
Race 6 – 2.55pm Musselburgh – LiveScore Bet Handicap Hurdle
The top-weight YOU SOME GIRL has improved from race to race this term, rising 23lb in the handicap. Her amateur jockey gave her too much work to do at Catterick latest, but she emerged with credit once again, so despite another 4lb rise here, it is easy to think she and William Maggs can get back to winning ways with a fourth success of the season.
Race 7 – 3.15pm Cheltenham – Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2)
His profile of the last two seasons suggests LANGER DAN might need at least one more run to hit top form. However, the past objective has been getting him a lenient enough handicap mark for the Coral Cup, whereas that will prove impossible given his current rating of 160. As a result, he may be more finely tuned earlier on in the season, with this race lacking significant depth, as well as coming at a venue he has excelled at in the past.
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