Regardless of how you celebrated New Year’s Eve, there is no better way to jump into 2025 than Cheltenham Racecourse on New Year’s Day. No doubt there will be a few sore heads among the crowd but we have 7 races to help shift the hangover.

The Premier Handicap Chase is the big race of the day at 2.05 with over £50K on offer in prize money. Temperatures have rarely dipped below zero so far this winter so no cause for concern on that front but a weather warning has been issued for high winds so something to bear in mind.

Cheltenham, Wednesday 1st January

Here are my top picks and odds at some of the best horse racing bookies in the UK.

Cheltenham 12.20 – Vincenzo

We might only have 3 runners for this opening handicap chase but you couldn’t rule out any with confidence so I’m still expecting it to be quite a good race. VINCENZO makes most appeal at the prices for Sam Thomas. This 6yo always looked like whatever he achieved over hurdles was going to be a bonus so perhaps no great surprise to see him strike at the first time of asking over fences at Windsor.

He beat Tedley convincingly that day and I think he’ll confirm those placings here. The third The Famous Five has won a good race at Newbury since so the form stacks up. Kalif Du Berlais also has form over Tedley and is going the right way but the yard form is a bit concerning and enough to put me off at cramped odds.

➡️ Bet on VINCENZO to win at 7/4 with bet365

Cheltenham 12.55 – Diva Luna

I’m never comfortable putting up short prices at Cheltenham but it is hard to see how DIVA LUNA doesn’t win this. She won both starts in bumpers for Ben Pauling and while she was turned over at a short price on hurdles debut at Lingfield she was only beaten just over a length and will improve tons on that.

They pulled miles clear from the third and I just think a lack of experience took its toll that day. This step up to 2 and a half miles should help her and I’ll be surprised if she isn’t a cut above these. Ken Roy fluffed a good opportunity at Plumpton so perhaps debutant Pierrot Jaguen could be the one to give her most to think about.

➡️ Bet on DIVA LUNA to win at 8/15 with Sky Bet

Cheltenham 1.30 – Broadway Boy

It is hard to knock what BROADWAY BOY has achieved this season even in defeat. He ran a big race on the Old Course here back in October finishing third behind Senior Chief. He shaped as though he’d improve plenty for the run and did just that to find all bar one too good in the shape of Kandoo Kid at Newbury.

That is strong handicap form and the third Victtorino and the fifth Henry’s Friend have both won since to give the form some substance. He is back on the New Course here which will suit and in easier company so I expect him to justify favouritism. Our Power bumped into King Turgeon on reappearance and looks the obvious danger.

➡️ Bet on BROADWAY BOY to win at 11/10 with bet365

Cheltenham 2.05 – Colonel Harry

The big race of the day now and I have a strong fancy in the shape of COLONEL HARRY for Jamie Snowden. They tried to go up in trip with him at Newbury and while that backfired he still has a lot of potential here back over 2 and a half. He looked promising last season beating Trelawne at Wetherby and down to a mark of 146 here with the ground firmly in his favour I think there is good reason to expect a big performance.

Gemirande is on a hat-trick after winning impressively at Ascot and then following up in the December Gold Cup. A further 8lb rise demands a lot more though and his jumping will have to be electric. Springwell Bay is hard to knock especially at this distance so could be a greater threat.

➡️ Bet on COLONEL HARRY to win at 4/1 with bet365

Cheltenham 2.40 – Deep Cave

This race screams out each way value to me so I’ve decided to take a chance on DEEP CAVE for Christian Williams. He didn’t show a great deal on debut for this yard but shaped much better despite being sent off 40/1 when fifth behind Doyen Quest here last time.

Left off the same mark if he manages to keep tabs on them in the early stages as he’ll be fitter now then he could be the one finishing best up the hill. Plenty of dangers in a race like this probably headed by One Big Bang who hasn’t done much wrong the last twice and has every right to be seriously involved again. Catch Him Derry needs to bounce back but would also have a squeak if doing so.

➡️ Bet on DEEP CAVE each way at 8/1 with bet365

Cheltenham 3.15 – Salver

A lot revolves around Golden Ace and if she can get back to her best but I was disappointed with her at Ascot and she has enough to prove for me. I prefer SALVER for Gary and Josh Moore. This horse won his first 4 starts before finishing an excellent third behind Majborough at the Cheltenham Festival.

I didn’t think he shaped badly at all on reappearance at Newbury and with that under his belt and stretching out in trip now we could see a more polished performance. Of the rest Lucky Place is clearly a decent animal and is another one who could get involved.

➡️ Bet on SALVER to win at 5/2 with Sky Bet

Cheltenham 3.50 – Walk In The West

This concluding bumper looks wide open and it might just be worth taking a chance on WALK IN THE WEST for Anthony Honeyball. He is a trainer that targets these kind of races and this son of Walk In The Park certainly looks the part on paper.

Gnomon is likely to go off favourite for Ralph Beckett and with Harry Cobden booked perhaps they fancy a big run but I would never be too confident in a race like this. He obviously bolted up on debut at Exeter but this is likely to be a fair bit tougher than that. Marhaba Prince also represents Anthony Honeyball and could even give the yard a 1-2 as he did win well at Wincanton on debut.

➡️ Bet on WALK IN THE WEST each way at 6/1 with bet365

My top tip for this weekend’s Cheltenham racing

Plenty of good punting opportunities at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and the one that stands out most to me is COLONEL HARRY in the Premier Handicap Chase. Jamie Snowden has admitted he didn’t stay at Newbury and if you put a line through that back over his optimum trip off a good mark with the ground perfect he ticks plenty of boxes.

Gemirande is obviously respected but a further hike in the weights makes life tougher for him so I think the 4/1 about the selection looks great value.

➡️ Bet on COLONEL HARRY to win at 4/1 with bet365

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