Cheltenham New Year’s Day tips

The traditional New Year’s Day card from Cheltenham takes centre stage on Monday when there are eight meetings across the UK and Ireland.

There are seven races at Cheltenham (12.20-3.50pm) and we have compiled tips for every one of the contests in the Cotswolds.

Cheltenham racing predictions - Monday January 1

Enda McElhinney has recommendations for all seven races today. You can read the analysis behind his selections below. 

Add these tips directly to your bet slip by clicking on each pick.

Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

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12.20 Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Maiden Hurdle (2m 4f)

Noel Williams and Robbie Dunne will have high hopes that the mare MIGHTY MOTH can land the opener. The daughter of Champs Elysees has shaped well in her two races over hurdles, finishing third behind subsequent Grade 1 scorer Jango Baie in a good novice contest at Ascot in November and beaten eight lengths when fifth in a Listed race at Newbury at the start of December.

She was also second in a bumper here last spring, so handling Cheltenham should be no concern and this drop into maiden company gives her a fine chance.

Selection Mighty Moth @ SP with BoyleSports

12.55 Close Brothers Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m)

Nigel Twiston-Davies loves saddling winners here and can hit the scoresheet for the second New Year’s Day running as MATATA bids to make it 2-2 over fences in the hands of Daryl Jacob. 

The Irish point-to-point winner scored twice over hurdles last season and ran well in an Grade 1 novice contest at Aintree in the spring despite an 80/1 SP. He was ultra-impressive on his fences bow at Ffos Las in October and could take some pegging back now.

1.30 Paddy Power Handicap Chase (3m 1f)

BOWTOGREATNESS went 0-6 last season in his first term over fences but he ran some excellent races in defeat and trainer Ben Pauling will be hopeful he can pick up some prizes in the coming months.

He went closest over 2m 3f at Exeter last November after 226 days off and it might prove wise to follow him fresh here. He ended last season with a good second over this trip at Aintree and remains unexposed as a stayer.

Selection Bowtogreatness @ SP with BoyleSports

2.05 Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase (2m 4f)

STAGE STAR has gone up to a mark of 166 after his win here in November, but Paul Nicholls’ inmate may well give weight and a beating to his rivals in the Cotswolds again. 

A Grade 1-winning novice hurdler, he bagged the Turners Novices’ Chase over 2m 4f here in March on soft ground to make it 4-5 over fences at the time. Beaten at Aintree after that, he sparkled back here in November on his return, winning by four lengths despite almost unseating Harry Cobden at the last. This contest should be within reach as the champion trainer elects to stick with handicaps.

Selection Stage Star @ SP with BoyleSports

2.40 Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (3m)

Harry Derham has enjoyed a superb first 12 months as a trainer in his own right and in November YOUNG BUTLER made a winning stable bow for him at Newbury (3m, good to soft) after switching from Emma Lavelle. He got to the lead nicely in that contest and found more when the eventual second Emitom applied pressure. He is capable of handling his 5lb rise for that win.

Selection Young Butler @ SP with BoyleSports

3.15 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m 4f)

Henry De Bromhead’s eight-year-old BOB OLINGER has a CV that includes victories here in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and Turners Novices’ Chase, but he endured a winless campaign when switched back to hurdles last term. He appeared to have lost his way, but won again at Navan in November when defeating Zanahiyr in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle over today’s trip. 

He travelled best in that race and applied himself well under pressure. His trainer pinpointed this contest afterwards and, with that win behind him, Bob Olinger could be a hard nut to crack at a course he handles so well.

Selection Bob Olinger @ SP with BoyleSports

3.50 Family Day ‘Junior’ NH Flat Race (Listed, 1m 6f)

CARVED IN STONE improved nicely from his Ludlow debut when scoring last month at Doncaster in the hands of Brian Hughes, providing trainer Hugo Palmer with a rare National Hunt winner. The Mastercraftsman gelding still looked very much like a work in progress there and, with further improvement to come, is worth a crack in this higher grade with the champion jockey back on board.

Selection Carved In Stone @ SP with BoyleSports