All eyes are on Cheltenham on New Year's Day, though there is a smattering of good action up at Musselburgh. Thursday’s races are important in their own right, but they also have consequences for the odds at the Cheltenham Festival, which is now only 69 days away.
New Year’s Day Horse Racing Tips – Jetting Into 2026
Look out for a big performance from Kabral Du Mathan in the Relkeel Hurdle at 2:35. A convincing win here would shorten his odds for the Stayers’ Hurdle in March. His price is too prohibitive for us, though we do have a quartet of value picks.
We’ve taken the best possible prices from some of the top bookmakers in the industry. Betfred in particular stood out with their early prices.
| Race | Horse | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:25 Cheltenham | Jasmin De Grugy | 13/2 | William Hill |
| 2:00 Cheltenham | Twinjets | 6/1 | Betfred |
| 2:15 Musselburgh | Jet To Vegas | 7/2 | bet365 |
| 3:10 Cheltenham | Ace Of Spades | 9/4 | Betfred |
*Odds correct at 14:35 GMT on 30/12/2025. Odds subject to change.
Bet 1 – Jasmin De Grugy in the 1:25 at Cheltenham
We’re on the New Course for this meeting, one that emphasises stamina. That’ll be needed here despite the ‘good’ ground, as the field takes on nearly 3¼ miles while tackling 21 fences.
Herakles Westwood and Katate Dori head the betting, while New Order remains of some interest. Another to watch is Shannon Royale, brought over from Ireland and now fit after his last run, but Jasmin De Grugy looks the true value.
In his novice season, Jasmin De Grugy won his first two races and finished a four-run campaign with a fine second at the Punchestown Festival. Returning at the end of November, he was well backed into 2/1 favourite for the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, something we can’t overlook given that he represents crack owner-bettor JP McManus.
He is without doubt improving and will have been put spot-on by that run behind Konfusion at Newcastle, a horse who has won again since at a good level. Trainer Anthony Honeyball managed three wins and a further four places from nine runners between the 16th and 21st of December, so his stable is in fine form. It’ll be a surprise if there isn’t strong money for Jasmin De Grugy before the tapes go up.
Bet 2 – Twinjets in the 2:00 at Cheltenham
This is a £100,000 Premier Handicap Chase, one in which tactics could play a big part. Many are handicapped to at least run well; Jungle Boogie, Matata, Moon d’Orange and Just Over Land meeting that criteria. Two others look a little better treated at the weights however, though both may want to set the tempo.
Glengouly will be ridden by the excellent Sean Bowen, just as he was when making all the running to win at Cheltenham less than three weeks ago. He was a 33/1 shot that day, and many feel he stole the race, though he is getting better, which is crucial.
That race was over on the speed-favouring Old Course though, and he faces stiff competition now when it comes to making the fractions. Twinjets, trained by the in-form, multiple Grade One-winning Paul Nicholls, is 2-2 this season and will relish underfoot conditions.
He has made all for a couple of simple wins, but it’ll be interesting to know whether his team thinks he has to lead, or whether a supremely well handicapped horse was simply allowed to bowl along against inferior opposition. He hasn’t always led in the past.
Harry Cobden is good enough to decide whether to stalk Glengouly, or run him off his feet. He’s had a nice break between races too, and freshness could play a big part.
Bet 3 – Jet To Vegas in the 2:15 at Musselburgh
This 2½-mile handicap chase is known as the ‘Auld Reekie’, an old name for nearby Edinburgh. There is some moisture in the ground, but things shouldn’t be too tough around this track.
Insurrection (Paul Nicholls) is interesting, as is ante-post favourite The Kalooki Kid (Nicky Richards), but the best handicapped horse in the race for our money is Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s Jet To Vegas.
The youngest and least experienced runner in the line-up has much more likely improvement in him than the others. Not properly tested yet, Jet To Vegas has run second in two small beginners’ chases, most notably when just three lengths behind Thomas Mor. That horse went on to run a strong second in Grade One company on Boxing Day.
He has been jumping a little to the right, but he’s improving in lumps. One of the top yards in the whole business has now had over five weeks to correct that, as well as sending him to this right-handed track. With Brian Hughes booked, he simply must go close.
Bet 4 – Ace Of Spades in the 3:10 at Cheltenham
The penultimate race of Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day Racing fixture is this three-mile handicap hurdle. Seven are due to go to post, likely able to skip over the hurdles in these quicker conditions.
Love Of Neymore looks a big price if this race isn’t too much of a step up in class, while Ma Shantou won here in similar conditions in the autumn over on the Old Course. Double Powerful simply looks better handicapped over fences rather than hurdles these days.
The suggestion is Ace Of Spades, trained by a man for the big occasion in Dan Skelton. He and jockey brother Harry team up here once again with an improving seven-year-old who has won or been placed in five of his eight hurdle starts to date.
He has some strong recent form to call back on. Though beaten last time, he opened up at 13/2 but is shorter now with much more expected of him. He remains well handicapped in this sphere.
