The Winter Million returns for 2026 with a brace of cards at Windsor sandwiching Saturday’s Grade 1 Clarence House Chase day at Ascot.
Loads of prize money is there to be won for connections, while Matty Sutcliffe is trying to earn punters a fair share this weekend, as he provides three best bets for the opening day of the Winter Million at Windsor on Friday.
Windsor Racing Tips (Friday 16 January 2026)
12:40 Windsor – Thorn Plant Hire Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) Swindon Village 10/3 1pt WIN
They Call Me Hugo has to be respected after his narrow defeat in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham, as does Moneygarrow who pulled nicely clear of a subsequent winner for the column last time out, but we shouldn’t discount the potentially smart Swindon Village, whose form over hurdles has stacked up nicely of late.
The Kingston Hill gelding was second to a smart type in They Want Me in his sole point to point, with the winner subsequently going in under rules having previously finished second to Formby winner Idaho Sun. He then defeated the favourite on bumper debut at Ffos Las season, before running a creditable third in a class two bumper at Aintree finishing a length behind The Blue Room, who was second to No Drama This End in Grade 2 company last time out.
He then made his hurdles debut in a competitive maiden hurdle at Ffos Las in October when beaten three lengths by a smart one in Kalkbrenner. The second bolted up by 11 lengths next time out, now rated 131, and the fourth, Klimt Madrik, beat the winner next time out before finishing a length second to No Drama This End in the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
That’s arguably some of the strongest form on offer here, and Swindon Village backed up that promising run with a convincing success at Leicester, pulling five lengths clear of the second Lon Chaney (pair well clear of the third) who’s since come out and won comfortably by eight lengths.
All of his form has worked out tremendously well, and he shapes as if this step up to three miles can bring out further improvement despite the Longsdon yard being somewhat on the cold side form-wise.
2:25 Windsor – Fitzdares Telephone And Text Betting Service Mares’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145) – Hollygrove Cha Cha 4/1 1pt WIN
Hollygrove Cha Cha has made a solid introduction to her chasing career despite jumping left throughout right handed tracks, so this visit to Windsor going left handed where her record reads 111PU can see her improve further.
She caught the eye travelling strongly despite some influent leaps in the Colin Parker at Carlisle when two lengths behind the 147 rated Resplendent Grey and 157 rated Handstands, before comfortably beating Bluey in heavy ground at Exeter despite again jumping left throughout.
Bluey is 6lbs better off with her now, but I’d be shocked if Hollygrove Cha Cha can’t improve again to defy an opening mark of 129 in handicap company now going anti-clockwise around a track than can suit her prominent style of racing.
3:00 Windsor – Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) – Nemean Lion 13/8 2pt WIN
After recording a career best RPR on seasonal debut last time out when third to Golden Ace in the Fighting Fifth, it would be a surprise should Nemean Lion fail to land back to back renewals of this valuable contest.
Equipped with a tongue tie for the first time, Nemean Lion jumped the last in tandem with both Golden Ace and Anzadam to be beaten only a length and a neck respectively by opponents who have subsequently backed that effort up in Grade 1 events next time out.
He stayed on well there in the manner of one who just lacks the gears of a top class two miler, unsurprisingly given his form around this distance (between 2m2f-2m4f) below Grade One company reads 1111, thus the step back up in trip should surely be in his favour. His form second time up for Kerry Lee reads 1511, so it’ll be no surprise should he strip fitter for that latest outing and he can capitalise on that back down in class against weaker opponents at a track he’s proven around.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
12:40 Windsor Thorn Plant Hire Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) Swindon Village 10/3 1pt WIN
2:25 Windsor – Fitzdares Telephone And Text Betting Service Mares’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145) – Hollygrove Cha Cha 4/1 1pt WIN
3:00 Windsor – Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) – Nemean Lion 13/8 2pt WIN
Hollygrove Cha ChaMatty Sutcliffe’s Windsor Tips – Friday 16 January
FAQs
What are today’s Windsor racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Windsor on Friday 16 January.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s Windsor tips were published at 9.10am on Thursday 15 January.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival.
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