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Breeders' Cup 2026 Day 2 Tips: Keeneland Picks For The Mile, Turf And Classic

2026-10-30T13:52:01+00:00

Championship Saturday at Keeneland brings the Breeders' Cup Mile, Turf and Classic, and Billy Grimshaw has been through all three looking for the winners. He is happy to take on a few of the bigger names and explains why a British raider, a mare on her farewell tour and a Bill Mott speedball are the ones he wants to be with.

20:20 Breeders Cup - Mile

The Breeders' Cup Mile is the race I find hardest to get a handle on every year, and this one is no different, because the field is loaded with front-runners and the pace scenario looks as heated as any I can remember at this meeting. Cabo Spirit, Zulu Kingdom, Qirat and Lugal all want to be on or near the lead, Deterministic has set the pace before and Rhetorical has plenty of speed as well, so somebody is going to have to give way and I would rather not be on the one who has to. That tells me to side with a horse who will be coming from off the pace, and I am quite happy to look away from the front end of this contest.

Notable Speech is the obvious place to start, and I have no argument with his ability. William Buick's mount won this race last year after rallying from seventh, he has since won the Woodbine Mile with Deterministic back in second, and he is the class act in the line-up for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. My only quibble is that a horse who is produced late in a big field needs things to fall right, and he was a troubled fourth in the Maker's Mark Mile over this course earlier in the year, so there is a precedent for that going wrong. A hot pace should suit him as much as anything, but I would rather find something with a similar profile that has more to prove.

That leaves LAKE FOREST, who is the one I want to be with. William Haggas's five-year-old was second to Rhetorical in the Coolmore Turf Mile on his last start over this course and distance, and the form is better than the bare result suggests, because he was slow away, hampered by traffic and knocked about around the bend before finishing strongly and just failing to catch a winner who made the running in a slowly run race. Cieren Fallon was pleased with how tough he was and fully expects a stronger pace to suit this time, which seems fair given the names above. He was beaten two and three-quarter lengths by Notable Speech at York, so that line needs to be overturned, but the trip should be better and he is my selection in the Mile. The danger is that he gets boxed in again and has to wait for a gap.

21:36 Breeders Cup - Turf

The Breeders' Cup Turf is a proper international affair, and the trends tell you which way to lean, because twelve of the last sixteen winners were no closer than fifth after the opening half-mile and twenty-three of the last twenty-eight came from outside North America. Aidan O'Brien holds the record with seven wins in the race and he runs Diamond Necklace, a four-time Group 1 winner who was third against the males in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner who is a late closer and was third in the King George. I understand the support for both of them, but a filly who has had a long, hard season is not a free pass, as only three of the sixteen females to run since 2015 have won.

Ethical Diamond is last year's winner for Willie Mullins and he won it in the style the trends like, coming from a long way back after a steady early pace, but the one who beat him last time is the horse I want to be with. TIFFANY is a six-year-old Irish-bred mare trained by Sir Mark Prescott and owned by an Elite Racing Club syndicate that sold its shares at about £500 a time, and she has won nine of her nineteen starts, including the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in August for what was her first top-level success.

What I like most is what she did next. She went to Kentucky Downs in September and beat Ethical Diamond by a length and three-quarters over this very trip of a mile and a half in the Kentucky Turf Cup, with Luke Morris, who rode her in Germany, on board there too and with the 2025 champion in behind her. Burnham Square faded badly in the heat that day, so I will not make too much of the form, but she did what she had to do, and this is her last race before she goes through the ring at Tattersalls. Prescott said she has little to lose and a lot to gain, and for a mare who has already won a Group 1 that sounds about right. She could easily find the Ballydoyle trio too classy, and the record of females in this race is a reminder that it is no walkover, but I think she has a major chance and she is my selection in the Turf.

22:16 Breeders Cup - Classic

The Breeders' Cup Classic looked a good deal harder before Magnitude was scratched, and while it is still a strong renewal, it is a tighter field and one with an interesting pace angle. Sovereignty is the reigning Horse of the Year and this is his final career start, and he won the Whitney by four and three-quarter lengths, but he has run only three times this year and has been recovering from a foot abscess, so for all that he has worked well since, I am not convinced he is at his peak. Forever Young has never finished worse than third in sixteen starts and is trying to be only the second horse to win the Classic twice, but this is only his second run since March and he drifted late in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

The three-year-olds fill out the line-up. Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont and is a closer who should be fine if the pace holds up, Napoleon Solo won the Preakness and was beaten only a half-length in both the Haskell and the Travers, and The Puma won the Pennsylvania Derby by a half-length. All of them deserve respect, but they are all taking on the older brigade in the deepest race of the year, and I would rather side with a proven older horse than back the three-year-olds blindly.

That is why I am with KNIGHTSBRIDGE, who is the form horse among the older brigade. Bill Mott's runner won the Monmouth Cup by ten and a quarter lengths with a huge speed figure and then won the Pacific Classic by six and a quarter while stepping up to a mile and a quarter, which is exactly the trip he needs here. With Magnitude gone he should not be in for a speed duel, since only Napoleon Solo and perhaps Forever Young, who likes to press, look like challenging him for the early lead, and Luis Saez should get a nice position on the front end. Mott also runs Sovereignty, which is the sort of thing to make you doubt yourself, and Keeneland is a new venue, as his only start here was a sprint two years ago, but I am happy to take that risk and he is my selection in the Classic.

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ITV Racing Tips: A Trio Of Each-Way Picks

2026-10-30T13:51:01+00:00

ITV Racing has a busy Saturday ahead with action from Wetherby, Ascot and Down Royal, and Billy Grimshaw has left the feature races to their own previews to go hunting for each-way value in the handicaps. He has swerved the market leaders and found a veteran in a tight Wetherby handicap, a progressive chaser at Ascot and a consistent hurdler in the biggest field of the day.

13:10 Wetherby - Position Payout At bet365 Handicap Chase

I am writing this on Friday afternoon, and the first thing to say about the 13:10 at Wetherby is that it is an eight-runner handicap with only six pounds covering the whole field, which makes it exactly the sort of race to look at each-way. Palamon heads the market at around 5/2 to 3/1 for Dan and Harry Skelton, but I cannot get away from the fact that he was a beaten favourite when second last time and he has been out of the first three in three of his last six starts, so I am happy to take him on. Tanking Along has won his last two for a yard in cracking form and looks the one to beat on that evidence, but I would rather find a price.

That leaves LADRONNE, who is the one for me at the 22/1 on offer. He is 12, so there is no hiding the fact that age is against him, but he is a course and distance winner who ran second on his latest start, and he has not been seen for 200 days, which is the sort of break a veteran is often given to freshen him up. He runs off 120, only three pounds below the top weight, and he is partnered by Oscar Palmer, whose 7lb claim brings his effective weight down to around 10st 12lb. In a race where the whole field is rated between 117 and 123, that is a significant edge and it is not being reflected in the price.

I am not blind to the risks, because a 12-year-old who has been off for the best part of seven months needs to be fit first time out and there are one or two in here with better recent form, so he could easily trail in. But this is an eight-runner race with three places on offer at a fifth of the odds, and at 22/1 I only need him to run his race to get a good run for my money. The Charlie Hall Chase follows later on the card and has its own preview, so I have left that one alone.

14:00 Ascot - Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase

The Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase is a Class 2 prize worth over £50,000 and the market has a clear leader in Vanderpoel, who is 9/2 with most firms. He is a fair horse, but he has been off the track for 234 days, he has had a wind operation since his last run and he finished seventh when last seen, so there is plenty for a seven-year-old to prove on his return. Teddy Blue and Martator share top weight of 12st, and at 17/2 and 8/1 respectively they are short enough for an eight-year-old and a nine-year-old who have both been away for more than six months.

I would rather side with GORE POINT, who rates my NAP of the three at 10/1. The six-year-old has won five of his last six starts, including his latest outing 33 days ago, and he runs off 133, which is 11lb below the top weights and gives him a nice cushion in a race where the best of the market have a few questions to answer. He is trained by Anthony Honeyball, whose runners have a 38% strike rate over the last month, and Sam Twiston-Davies, who has been riding well, takes the ride. Four places are available at a fifth of the odds with some firms, which makes the price very tempting.

Honeyball also runs Brookie and Gabriel's Getaway, so the stable has three chances, and I have gone with the one who is in the best form by a distance. The risks are plain enough, because this is a big step up in class and a prize of more than £50,000 for a horse who is no doubt higher in the weights than he was a few starts ago, and the stable could easily have a better chance with one of the others. But I am happy to take that on at 10/1. The Regal Encore Handicap Chase follows at 14:33 and I have covered that in a separate preview.

15:43 Ascot - Lavazza Handicap Hurdle

The Lavazza Handicap Hurdle is the biggest field of the day, with sixteen runners over a couple of miles and a prize of more than £32,000, and the market has Trustintimes at the head of it at 4/1 to 9/2. He is a course and distance winner for Harry Fry, but he has been off for 204 days and was out of the first ten on his last run, so I am happy to take him on. Williethebuilder has to carry top weight of 12st off a mark of 140 at around 9/2 to 5/1, which is short enough for a horse with that burden, and I would rather look further down the weights for a bigger price.

That brings me to GOWER PRINCE, who is 10/1 with the best of the firms. The eight-year-old has finished first or second in each of his last five starts, including a win 20 days ago, and he runs off a mark of 114, which puts him right at the foot of the handicap with only 10st 2lb to carry and a 5lb claim from Benjamin Macey on top. Jonjo O'Neill's yard has a 23% strike rate at the moment, and in a field of sixteen there are five places available at a fifth of the odds with some firms, so a horse who is as consistent as this one will do nicely for me.

The worry is that a Class 2 handicap at Ascot is a big step up from the sort of races he has been winning, and a horse at the bottom of the weights needs a clear run in a big field, so he could easily get tapped for toe if the pace is strong. But I have always liked a lightly weighted, in-form horse in a handicap like this, and at 10/1 I am happy to take the chance. The Down Royal Champion Chase is the race that follows at 15:15 and has its own preview.

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Regal Encore Handicap Chase 2026 Tips: Henry's Friend Can Defend His Crown At A Fair Price

2026-10-30T12:00:01+00:00

The Regal Encore Handicap Chase, the race formerly known as the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup, is a wide open ten-runner Premier Handicap at Ascot on Saturday, with Viroflay and Califet En Vol sharing favouritism at 7/2 and plenty of the field coming back from a break. Billy Grimshaw is not keen on either of them, and he explains why last year's winner is the one to be with at a bigger price.

Ten runners go to post for Ascot's big early season handicap over two miles and seven furlongs, and the first thing to say is that this is a race to be wary of, because the market leaders and last year's winner are all coming back from a break and nobody can be sure how fit or sharp they will be first time out. The ground is good, good to firm in places after a bit of watering, which should suit most of these, and the betting has no great conviction, with Viroflay and Califet En Vol sharing favouritism at 7/2 before the rest are spread out from 15/2 upwards. I am happy to take on both of them, but I will explain why before I get to the horse I want to be with.

Viroflay is the more reliable of the two, because he is a consistent sort who has finished first or second in nine of his twelve starts over regulation fences, and Paul Nicholls has booked Lucas Murphy to take 7lb off his back. But there is plenty to pick at for a horse who is 7/2. He has not been seen since winning a three-runner race at Newton Abbot in May as a 5/6 favourite, which has put him up 4lb to a mark of 144, and when he went to Ascot last November he was beaten at 4/5 over two and a quarter miles on quick ground. That is a long way from a ringing endorsement for a nine-year-old at the top of the weights.

Califet En Vol is the more interesting of the two, and it is easy to see why Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old has plenty of support. He beat Viroflay by two and a half lengths at Kempton in February and he is only in his second season over fences, so there could well be more to come, with Nico de Boinville taking the ride. The problem is that he has not won since that day and he ran poorly on his last start at Ayr on ground that did not suit him, so we are taking it on trust that he is back to his best. He runs off 139, 3lb higher than at Kempton, and 7/2 feels like a price that has already allowed for the improvement.

Further down the list there are a few that might appeal more. Tapley has won his last two at Fontwell and Plumpton for Jamie and Josh Moore, which makes him the only one in the field to have won within the last month, but both wins came over around two and a half miles and a Premier Handicap at Ascot over a longer trip is a big step up in class at 17/2. Queensbury Boy won at Market Rasen in July for Mickey Bowen and is respected at 15/2, while Neon Moon is a course and distance winner who had his chance in this last year before fading late on, and at 12/1 he looks the most tempting of the outsiders for a place.

That leaves HENRY'S FRIEND, who is the one I want to be with at the prices. Last year's winner is 8/1 with William Hill in a race where the favourites are 7/2, which tells you plenty about the market's memory, or its patience with a nine-year-old who has not won since. Ben Pauling's gelding was a 17/2 chance when Ben Jones took him to a one and three-quarter length success in what was then the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup, sitting handy before finding more on the run-in when challenged at the last, and he runs off a mark of 142 this time, a pound lower than he was a year ago. Take out the bad runs on soft ground since and you are left with a horse who is ideally suited to this test.

The case for him is simple enough. He is a course and distance winner who has won two of his three starts over fences at Ascot, the Reynoldstown in 2024 among them, and he did it last year first time out after a summer off, which is exactly the situation he finds himself in now. Since then he has been well beaten on soft ground at Cheltenham, back at Ascot and at Kempton, but it is much quicker here and I am not going to hold those runs against him. He has also had a wind operation since his last start, which could well bring about some improvement, and Kielan Woods, who rode him at Ascot in December, takes the ride.

There are reasons to be wary, of course. He was pulled up on his final start of last season and he has not won since the day he took this race twelve months ago, he is nine and Ben Pauling's runners have hardly been flying in recent weeks, so the market may have a point. Pauling also runs Your Darling, an 11-year-old on top weight who is another Ascot course and distance winner, but he has to give my selection 2lb and was pulled up on his last start, which makes him easy to ignore at 15/2. I would not be at all shocked if the two market leaders ran well, but both have questions to answer that I do not think my horse does.

This is a ten-runner Premier Handicap so each-way is a sensible way to play it, and William Hill are paying three places at a quarter of the odds, which should give us a decent run for our money at the price. There is plenty about this race that is up for debate, with the favourites returning from a break and the in-form horses stepping up in class, and I would rather side with a proven course specialist at a big price than back a short-priced one to prove he is back to his best. I am backing HENRY'S FRIEND to defend his crown and give Ben Pauling another big Ascot prize.

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Down Royal Champion Chase 2026 Tips: Banbridge Can Roll Back The Years

2026-10-30T11:25:01+00:00

The Down Royal Champion Chase, run this year in memory of Envoi Allen, is a seven-runner Grade 1 with plenty of questions and no obvious banker. Heart Wood heads the market on his step up to three miles, but Billy Grimshaw is not convinced he is the one to be on, and he works through the field before naming a former King George winner as his best bet.

Down Royal's flagship Grade 1 has a new look this year, with the old Champion Chase now run in memory of Envoi Allen, who won it three times for Henry de Bromhead, and a field of seven has been assembled with Willie Mullins notable by his absence. The ground has been the talking point, as Storm Boelo dropped a significant amount of rain on the track and it is now officially yielding, with the chase course good to yielding in places, which will make three miles a proper test. Heart Wood heads the market at around 5/2 on the back of his Ryanair win and he is a fair favourite on the figures, but I am not sure this is a race to be taking short odds in.

The case for Heart Wood is a strong one on the surface. He won the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March, beating Jonbon by ten lengths, and he won over two miles seven furlongs on his reappearance at Punchestown a year ago. Henry de Bromhead has been honest that he is using this race to find out whether three miles is his trip, though, and that is the crux of it for me. He has done his best work at around two and a half miles, he was only third in the Melling at Aintree on his next start, and yielding ground does nothing to make the stamina question any easier. I would respect him, but I would not want to be taking 5/2.

Fleur In The Park has the most progressive profile in the field, although the market is rather more circumspect about him at 5/1. He took to fences brilliantly, winning a Grade 1 novice chase at Fairyhouse in April and finishing second in a Grade 1 at Punchestown over two and a half miles, and he has already had a run this season, winning the Danoli Chase at Gowran Park earlier this month, which gives him an edge in fitness over a number of these. My doubt is the same as it is with the favourite. Three miles on yielding ground is further than he has been asked to go in Grade 1 company and I suspect it might just find him out.

Affordale Fury is the one I have most time for among the rest. Noel Meade's gelding won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over three miles and chased home Envoi Allen last year, so he knows what is required. The worry is that his last run ended with him being pulled up, and although that has been put down to him being lame you have to take that on trust, which is a big ask even at 5/1. Croke Park was a smart novice but has done little in open company since and at 66/1 looks to be making up the numbers, while Romeo Coolio was unbeaten in his first four chases before being pulled up as the 9/4 favourite in the Brown Advisory, with a back problem reported to have been behind it. He is unexposed at the trip, but a first run since March at this level is a lot to ask at 4/1.

Haiti Couleurs is a lovely horse and Rebecca Curtis has him in good form, with Paul Townend taking over from Sean Bowen, who is at Wetherby. He won the Welsh Grand National and the Denman Chase last season, but he was pulled up in the Gold Cup and finished 14th in the Grand National, and this is a very different test to the marathon handicaps that have made his name. Curtis has said this is one of the weaker Grade 1s of the season and that the track should suit, which is fair enough, but Townend has yet to ride a winner in Ireland for the yard from four attempts and his mark has gone up a long way. At 5/1 I am happy to look elsewhere.

That leaves BANBRIDGE, who is the one I want to be with at the prices. Regular readers will recall he was my each-way play in last season's King George, when he was beaten a nose by The Jukebox Man while Jango Baie, my actual selection, finished fourth, which tells you everything about my day. The point is that he is a former winner of that race who jumped and travelled beautifully for most of the way at Kempton and was only collared on the line, and the Grade 1 form he brings to a race like this is something very few in this field can match. Three miles is no problem for him, which is more than can be said for the two at the head of the betting.

He is also much fresher than you might expect. After unseating his rider at the Chair in the Grand National he won a one mile six furlong maiden on the Flat at Gowran Park on 1 September at 4/1, which is not a sentence I thought I would be writing about a 10 year old chaser, and while Joseph O'Brien admitted the win came as a surprise it will have put plenty of fitness into him. JJ Slevin takes the ride, having been on board at Aintree, and with the favourite unproven at the trip and the second favourite a doubt, 5/1 looks the best bet on the board, with 11/2 available in places.

There are reasons to be wary, of course. He is 10, his jumping let him down at Aintree and O'Brien has made it clear that this is only one of several options, including a trip to America and a King George rematch, so it is fair to wonder how bullish connections really are. Heart Wood rates the chief danger if he does stay, and Fleur In The Park will take plenty of beating if the stamina question is answered in his favour. But I am happy to side with a proven three mile Grade 1 performer at a bigger price than the favourite, and I am backing BANBRIDGE to put the race to bed up the straight.

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Charlie Hall Chase 2026 Tips: Handstands Can Bounce Back And Upset Pic d'Orhy

2026-10-30T11:10:01+00:00

The Charlie Hall Chase is the traditional curtain-raiser to the jumps season at Wetherby, and this year's renewal revolves around one 11 year old making his debut for a new trainer. Pic d'Orhy is the clear market leader, but Billy Grimshaw is not convinced he is the one to be on at the odds, and he works through the six-runner field before naming his best bet.

For more than half a century this has been the race that gets the jumps season going in earnest at Wetherby, and it has a long history of pointing the way towards the Gold Cup. This year's renewal looks more like a puzzle than a stepping stone, though, with just six runners, a favourite who has plenty to prove on his first run for a new yard and a field full of horses who each bring a question mark of their own. Pic d'Orhy heads the betting at around 11/8 and I can see exactly why punters have piled in, but I am not convinced he is a price I want to be taking in a race like this.

There is no doubting the ability. Pic d'Orhy won a dozen times for Paul Nicholls, including at the very top level, and when his owners moved their string out of Ditcheat in the spring he arrived at Dan Skelton's yard in the same colours. He is a machine when fresh, having won four of his last five seasonal reappearances, and only Djelo beat him in this race last year. He is also rated nine pounds clear of the field on the official ratings. The problem is that he is 11, he has never won beyond two and a half miles and he failed to win in four starts last season, so at that price there is precious little margin for error.

Nicholls has five wins in this race to his name and runs a pair in Hitman and Twinjets, both of whom have their uses. Hitman won the Old Roan Chase on his reappearance last autumn and is a lovely jumper when everything goes right, but he has not won in three runs since and ended last season on a sour note. Twinjets is a bold front-runner who was successful again at Ayr in April, but he has not been tested over three miles for some time and I would worry about him stopping late on. Skelton's second string Riskintheground was only sixth on his reappearance earlier this month and looks to be making up the numbers.

The Real Whacker is the one who could make life difficult for the market leaders. The 10 year old won this race in 2024 but was last of five, beaten 33 lengths, when defending his crown a year ago, and few would have blamed anyone for writing him off at that point. He has been revitalised this summer though, finishing third at Perth before making all the running there in September off a mark of 149, with a change of headgear appearing to do the trick. A small field and a proper gallop in front suits him down to the ground and Brian Hughes will make full use of that, but Twinjets is just as keen to get on with it and I suspect they will not be left alone for long.

That brings me to HANDSTANDS, who is the one I want to be with. A year ago he was being talked about as one of the better young chasers in the country, winning the Esher Novices' Chase over three miles at Sandown in December 2024 and then beating none other than Jango Baie in the Scilly Isles, the same horse who went on to win the Arkle and whom I backed in the King George with rather less success. It would be dishonest to pretend he has been anything other than a disappointment since, as he failed to win in any of his four starts last season, including an odds-on defeat at Carlisle and being pulled up after stopping quickly in first-time cheekpieces in the Ultima at the Festival.

I am happy to put that final run down to a one off, and the price is the reason I like him. At around 3/1 he runs off a mark of 153, a couple of pounds lower than at his best, against a favourite who is rated higher but is a veteran running for a new yard and has never won over this far. I also like the way the race should be run, as Twinjets and The Real Whacker will ensure a decent gallop which will find out anyone who does not stay, and HANDSTANDS is a bold jumper who has already won a Grade 2 over three miles.

Ben Jones sounds quietly excited, reporting that the horse's home work has been above average this autumn and that he is adamant he is bred to stay. Breathing problems have bothered him in the past, which may explain why he stopped so quickly at Cheltenham, so there is a chance he is a different horse now. Of course he has plenty to prove and could simply have lost his sparkle, which is why I would not be piling in, but with this much doubt attached to the favourite he looks the right way to play the race.

Pic d'Orhy rates the chief threat on class and there is no getting away from that, because a horse who wins first time up as often as he does cannot be dismissed lightly, even for all that I can pick holes in his profile at this trip. If he is good enough to prove me wrong then so be it, but at 11/8 I am more than happy to take him on. The Real Whacker and Twinjets could easily cut each other's throats in front, which would set things up nicely for a patiently ridden HANDSTANDS, and I am backing him to give Ben Pauling a big winner.

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Breeders’ Cup Day 1 tips: Our best bets for Future Stars Friday at Keeneland

2026-10-29T13:27:44+00:00

Friday’s Breeders’ Cup card is all two-year-olds, and the Juvenile Turf Sprint at 18:55 UK time is the race where I think the market has it wrong. I've also got two more tips, so stick around and hopefully we can make some dollars Stateside before the weekend truly begins.

18:55 Breeders Cup - Juvenile Turf Sprint

Libertango has the best form in the field and deserves to be favourite, but 6/4 leaves no room for error. FINAL OBJECTIVE is a much bigger price, and his form is not that far behind. He won the Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster by a neck from Crownbreaker, and the run before that he was beaten less than a length by Arapaho Gold in the Gimcrack at York. That is solid juvenile sprint form. As an aside, Crownbreaker is 33/1 here and not out of the reckoning.

The Coventry at Royal Ascot is what puts people off. He ran all over the place and it was a poor performance. Gelding him has helped, and James Doyle says he is more straightforward than he used to be, even if he still wanders a little late on.

The race shape should help. Harper’s Corner is likely to make the running from stall 10, and a horse who needs delivering late wants a decent pace in front of him. If it is run that way, double figures is too big. I am happy to take the chance that Doyle can keep him straight.

20:15 Breeders Cup - Juvenile Fillies Turf

Sun Goddess is the 4/5 favourite at the time of writing and Amusingly is next at 4/1, which leaves CURRACLOE at 12/1 looking a fair each-way price in a 14-runner field. She is unbeaten in two starts and has done nothing but improve. She won her Gowran Park maiden on 1 September at 22/1, by five lengths from 16 rivals, then stepped up to Group 3 company in the Darley Fillies Stakes at the Curragh on 27 September.

She was third for much of the seven furlongs, quickened clear late and beat Alpine Wedding by two and three-quarter lengths. Alpine Wedding had been fourth behind her on debut, so the form has held together.

Ground and trip are the questions. The Curragh was heavy, and Keeneland’s turf will be a different test over a mile, an extra furlong on anything she has done. Johnny Murtagh already sees her as a Guineas filly, though, and the way she picked up suggests the extra distance will not bother her. At 12/1 in a race this big, I want the place part of the bet as well as the win part.

21:35 Breeders Cup - Juvenile Turf

AVEC TOI is the one I want to be with at 16/1, and it needs a bit of faith. He arrived at the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère unbeaten, with Group 3 wins in the Prix Francis Boutin and the Prix la Rochette, then finished sixth, beaten 5¼ lengths by Amusingly, who runs earlier on the card. That was a bad day and I am prepared to forgive it.

The catch is that Folsom Blues, Man’s Best Friend and Florida Bay all finished ahead of him at Longchamp and all three are in this field, so the market is entitled to rate them higher. Folsom Blues at 7/2 is fair enough as he was closest to victory.

But 16/1 is too big for a horse who had been winning without being ridden hard, and who has had one bad day at the office, at a meeting that can leave horses stumped for no obvious reason. He looks the type to appreciate a mile stateside, and I would ignore Longchamp at that price.

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Breeders Cup 2026: European Runners Profiled

2026-10-29T13:14:02+00:00

45 European raiders, with 4 reserves waiting in the wings, are set to attempt to break America this weekend at the Breeders Cup at Keeneland. Here, we detail them all with their target race and odds at the time of writing.

Friday 30 October

18:55 – Juvenile Turf Sprint

Moonrise – Andrew Balding – 12/1
Libertango – George Boughey – 5/2
Mussab – Richard & Peter Fahey – 15/1
Velozee – Paddy Twomey – 20/1
Crownbreaker – Kevin Philippart de Foy – 20/1
Force Noir – Robson de Aguiar – 8/1
Final Objective – Hamad Al Jehani – 8/1
Hell Of A Spin – Adrian Keatley – 15/1
Primetime Emmy – Francis Graffard – 15/1

20:15 – Juvenile Fillies Turf

Green Empress – Joseph O'Brien – 10/1
Curracloe – Johnny Murtagh – 12/1
Alwaysanangel – Joseph O'Brien – 15/1
Sun Goddess – Aidan O'Brien – 6/5
Amusingly – Francis Graffard – 7/2
Scommessa Sicura – Andrew Balding – 30/1
Ballinea Star – Robson de Aguiar – 30/1

21:35 – Juvenile Turf

Avec Toi – Christopher Head – 10/1
Florida Bay – Aidan O'Brien – 20/1
Haffner – Aidan O'Brien – 8/1
Pikachu – Charlie Johnston – 30/1
Sale Shark – Hugo Palmer – 30/1
Folsom Blues – Joseph O'Brien – 7/2
Man's Best Friend – Aidan O'Brien – 15/1
Great Barrier Reef – Aidan O'Brien – 4/1

Saturday 31 October

17:48 – Turf Sprint

Comanche Brave – Donnacha O'Brien – 3/1
Starlust – Ralph Beckett – 20/1
Miss Yechance – Karl Burke – 15/1

19:04 – Filly & Mare Turf

Red Letter – Ger Lyons – 12/1
Jancis – Willie McCreery – 20/1
Precise – Aidan O'Brien – 7/2
Blue Bolt – Andrew Balding – 5/2

20:20 – Mile

Lake Forest – William Haggas – 6/1
Qirat – Ralph Beckett – 30/1
Notable Speech – Charlie Appleby – 7/5
True Love – Aidan O'Brien – 8/1
Puerto Rico – Aidan O'Brien – 10/1

21:36 – Turf

Ethical Diamond – Willie Mullins – 10/1
Benvenuto Cellini – Aidan O'Brien – 6/1
El Cordobes – Charlie Appleby – 15/1
Hotazhell – Jessica Harrington – 15/1
Johanna Walsh – Joseph O'Brien – 12/1
Tiffany – Sir Mark Prescott – 10/1
Survie – George Boughey – 15/1
Diamond Necklace – Aidan O'Brien – 3/1
Bay City Roller – George Scott – 5/1

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5 To Follow At Ascot, Wetherby & Down Royal This Weekend

2026-10-29T11:19:00+00:00

The jumps season goes up a gear this weekend, with the first Grade 1 of the season taking place at Down Royal. In addition, there is a plethora of National Hunt racing across the United Kingdom and Ireland for jumps fans to get stuck into.

With declarations for Friday and Saturday now confirmed, I’ve looked at five standout runners this weekend, with a view to their upcoming run and what to expect for the rest of the campaign. Let’s get straight down to business, starting with a potential dark horse for the Triumph Hurdle...

Friday

Wetherby, 3pm - CHARLES DARNAY

James Owen has been banging the drum for Charles Darnay over the past few months and it wasn’t a huge shock to see punters latch onto him when this market opened, with the Planteur gelding well supported to 13/8 (from 7/2).

The form of his success on handicap debut at Lingfield in June has worked out well, with the second, third and fourth all emerging victorious since. His schooling over hurdles has reportedly gone well and connections will hope he can take high rank in the division.

In fact, Owen himself hinted in a recent stable tour that Charles Darnay could be aimed at the Triumph Hurdle, which shows the regard he is held in at home. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares here and hopefully there is a bright future ahead for him.

Down Royal, 3.45pm - MATIN MIDI ET SOIR

A hugely exciting prospect, it’ll be fascinating to see how Matin Midi Et Soir gets on over fences this season. He ran just once last term, finishing down the field at Punchestown and I can only assume he had an issue as that surely wasn’t his true running.

The Henry de Bromhead runner was well supported in the betting that day but it wasn’t to be and hopefully we see the best of him as he goes novice chasing. He gets the 9lb weight-for-age allowance here and the 2m3f trip should be no problem for him.

It’s a competitive race, with Ballyfad the one to beat on all known form, but we’re yet to see just how good Matin Midi Et Soir could be. If he makes a winning start, all avenues are open for him and you’d hope he will develop into a Grade 1 novice chaser.

Saturday

Down Royal, 1.30pm - SKERRY HILL

Whisper it quietly but I’d be confident that Skerry Hill will be running in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at some point this term. Given a quiet time of things as a bumper horse, he can flourish in the coming months as he gains experience and continues to mature.

He was babyish last season and wouldn’t have taken your eye out in either start but he was never going to be a Champion Bumper type. He is a real embryonic chaser in the making. Having said that, I still expect him to hold his own at a high level over hurdles.

Young Rebel fell short as the 8/15f at Galway earlier this month but he looks the main threat to my selection. The whispers are that Skerry Hill has been working well though and I’m expecting a big performance on Saturday afternoon.

Down Royal, 3.15pm - ROMEO COOLIO

Connections have decided to roll the dice with Romeo Coolio in the Grade 1 and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he gets on. He’s always looked like a staying chaser in the making and you can put a line through his effort at Cheltenham in March.

That performance was out of character and connections found a back issue, which has been rectified over the summer. All being well, the plan is to run in the King George VI Chase so he’ll need to win, or go close, at Down Royal on Saturday.

A decent field of seven runners will go to post but Romeo Coolio might just be the fly in the ointment. He’s unexposed over the trip and, with a clear round of jumping, we’ll see if he truly stays the distance. He could be a contender in the biggest races this term.

Ascot, 3.43pm - MESSERSCHMITT

Bought for £100,000 at the Goffs UK sale in May, Messerschmitt is the type of horse that Ben Pauling often excels with. He has some decent form in the book, with a fourth-placed finish in the Imperial Cup and third in a Listed Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown.

Given a BHA rating of 130, he’ll make his stable debut this weekend and he could be one for a nice handicap in the spring. Most of his form has come at right-handed tracks so it will be interesting to see how Pauling campaigns him over the coming months.

This is a good starting point though, and he can outrun his odds. I’ll be tracking his progress as the season goes on, with nicer ground almost certainly necessary for him. With a bit of astute planning, he could be off a nice enough mark come March/April time.

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Paddy Power Gold Cup Runners - Top Field Set For Cheltenham November Feature

2026-10-28T15:06:15+00:00

Cheltenham's first big Saturday of the season is just over two weeks away, and the Paddy Power Gold Cup has drawn over 40 entries. Meetmebythesea heads the sponsor's betting, Dan Skelton has the most horses entered, and the trends for this handicap point to a few horses lower in the betting.

Race: Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
Course: Cheltenham (Old Course)
Date: Saturday 14 November 2026
Off time: 2:20pm
Distance: 2m4f44y

Paddy Power Gold Cup Key Contenders

Meetmebythesea (Ben Pauling)

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old is a worthy favourite after a very good novice season. He won at Wetherby and Ayr. He was then well beaten in the Game Spirit on heavy ground at Newbury, which can be put down to the conditions. At the Festival he won the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at 9/1, leading for much of the race and pulling clear on the run-in under Ben Jones. That race is run over a very similar trip on the New Course, so he has shown he handles Cheltenham. Trainer Ben Pauling is based nearby and is looking for a first Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The trends are against him, though. Only one of the last ten winners was a six-year-old. None of the last ten had won on their previous start. He also hasn't run yet this season.

Blueking d'Oroux (Dan Skelton)

One of several Johnny de la Hey horses that moved from Paul Nicholls to Dan Skelton in the summer. He was busy as a novice last season. He won the Grade 2 Rising Stars at Wincanton and was beaten only a neck in a Kempton handicap chase in March. He finished his season by running well at 22/1 to be second in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree. He may run at Carlisle this weekend before Cheltenham. If he does, he matches the race's main trends. As the champion trainer's leading fancy, he should be popular in the betting.

Madara (Dan Skelton)

Madara has already won over this course and distance. He won the Plate at last season's Festival over the same 2m4f44y, moving up smoothly from midfield and going clear from the last. He followed that by leading at the last in the Topham at Aintree before finishing a close third. At seven he is the right age, and Skelton won this race last year with Panic Attack. He is one of the strongest trends fits near the top of the betting.

Regent's Stroll (Paul Nicholls)

Paul Nicholls has won two of the last three runnings, with Stage Star and Il Ridoto. Regent's Stroll is his shortest-priced runner. He was third behind Meetmebythesea in the Jack Richards. He then ran well to be second in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree over more than three miles. He tends to race prominently, and that helped Stage Star (2023) and Il Ridoto (2024) win here. He is now a seven-year-old and should improve again.

Vincenzo (Sam Thomas)

Vincenzo went off the 100/30 favourite for this race 12 months ago and finished second to Panic Attack on soft-to-heavy ground. He was second again in the December Gold Cup on his next run, won a valuable handicap at Ascot in January and was then a disappointing fifth in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury. He clearly likes this course and the trip. He is a solid each-way option.

Quebecois (Paul Nicholls)

Quebecois has strong form for this race. He was beaten only a head into third in the Ultima at the Festival, leading for a long way. He has already run this season, finishing a respectable second at Newton Abbot on 17 October. As a seven-year-old with a run this season who didn't win last time out, he fits every trend below. He also comes from the trainer with the best recent record in the race.

Jagwar (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)

Jagwar was ante-post favourite for this race last year but was taken out because of the ground. He then ran a string of good races in defeat. He was third in the December Gold Cup and beaten a head in a Cheltenham handicap in January. He was second in the Ultima at the Festival, half a length behind stablemate Johnnywho. All his best recent form has come at Cheltenham. The question is how much weight he will carry after those runs. Cut in the ground is also likely to keep him out again.

Others to note

Johnnywho won the Ultima and was fourth in the Grand National. He will need a strong pace at this shorter trip. Of the Irish entries, Henry de Bromhead's Zurich is the shortest-priced. However, the stats below show no Irish-trained winner in the last ten years.

Paddy Power Gold Cup Stats and Trends

These stats cover the last ten runnings of the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2016–2025). The race was sponsored by BetVictor from 2016 to 2019.

Last 10 Paddy Power Gold Cup Winners

Year	Winner	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2025	Panic Attack	9	11-1	6/1	Dan Skelton	Harry Skelton
2024	Il Ridoto	7	10-2	10/1	Paul Nicholls	Freddie Gingell
2023	Stage Star	7	11-7	4/1	Paul Nicholls	Harry Cobden
2022	Ga Law	6	11-0	5/1	Jamie Snowden	Jonathan Burke
2021	Midnight Shadow	8	11-5	9/1	Sue Smith	Ryan Mania
2020	Coole Cody	9	10-5	10/1	Evan Williams	Tom O'Brien
2019	Happy Diva	8	11-3	14/1	Kerry Lee	Richard Patrick
2018	Baron Alco	7	10-11	8/1	Gary Moore	Joshua Moore
2017	Splash Of Ginge	9	10-6	25/1	Nigel Twiston-Davies	Tom Bellamy
2016	Taquin Du Seuil	9	11-11	8/1	Jonjo O'Neill	Aidan Coleman

Winner Profile

Stat	Last 10 runnings
Average age	7.9 years
Average weight carried	10st 13lb
Shortest-priced winner	Stage Star, 4/1 (2023)
Biggest-priced winner	Splash Of Ginge, 25/1 (2017)
Leading trainer	Paul Nicholls – 2 wins (2023, 2024)
Different winning trainers	9 in 10 years

Key Paddy Power Gold Cup Trends

Trained in Britain: 10/10. The Irish entries July Flower, Zurich, Ifiwerearichman and Release The Beast all have this stat against them. The closest Irish runners were French Dynamite (2nd, 2022) and Lets Go Champ (3rd, 2024).
Aged seven to nine: 9/10. Ga Law (2022) is the only six-year-old winner. That counts against Meetmebythesea, Kykorock, Torneo, Dunkerque and Passing Diamond.
Beaten on previous start: 10/10. None of the last ten winners won last time out. Meetmebythesea, Here Comes Georgie, Kykorock, Torneo and O'Moore Park all won their latest start.
Had already run that season: 8/10. Only Stage Star (2023) and Panic Attack (2025) won on their first run of the season.
Started between 4/1 and 10/1: 8/10. All ten winners were 25/1 or shorter, and none was shorter than 4/1.
Carried 10st 11lb or more: 7/10. Better-class horses near the top of the weights have done well.
Trained by Paul Nicholls: 2 wins, 5 places. Won two of the last three runnings with Stage Star and Il Ridoto.
Trained by Dan Skelton: 1 win, 4 places. Won last year with Panic Attack, plus two seconds and two thirds since 2020.

Previous runs in the race also count. Il Ridoto was fourth in 2022 and third in 2023 before winning in 2024. Vincenzo, second last year, has a similar profile this time.

Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change. 18+ only. BeGambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly.

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Old Roan Chase Preview: Saint Can Stay If Aintree Ground Turns

2026-10-23T14:13:26+01:00

The Old Roan Chase is the feature on Aintree's Sunday card and, as ever, it is a fascinating early-season test for a smart bunch of chasers. A field of 13 go to post for this Grade 2 limited handicap over 2m4f at 3pm, and the chase course is currently described as good to soft, good in places.

Boombawn heads the market at 7/2 with BoyleSports for Dan Skelton, who saddles four of the 13, but I am happy to take him on with a horse who has every chance of seeing out this trip strongly.

Although not known for his winning exploits, Hitman did have his day in the sun here 12 months ago. The ten-year-old's career strike rate is not good, but he does usually run well in this race and will cope with conditions off 1lb lower than his winning mark from last year. He is the automatic place to start off.

This is a surprisingly deep field for this race though and Dan Skelton runs a quartet. Chief among those is Boombawn, who is a whopping 10lb lower than when fourth, and not beaten far, behind Hitman a year ago. However, any rain may scupper his chance, which is also the case for the aptly-named Riskintheground and stable newcomer Matterhorn. Etalon has potential, but tends to do his winning going right-handed.

Handicap debutant Wendigo and regular Aintree attendee Imperial Saint are close challengers for favouritism. The former ran no race here at the Grand National meeting, but every drop of rain will do him a favour. That is also the case for strong stayer Imperial Saint, who would ideally want further nowadays, but has won over course and distance.

Both Prairie Wolf and Bluey are improvers towards the foot of the handicap here. The first-named has questions to answer on soft, but the latter copes with any going and did not stop progressing in her novice chase campaign. She is only 3lb above her last winning mark.

The weights are headed by Twiston-Davies pair Matata and Master Chewy. Matata ended last season under a cloud but has slipped to a tempting mark again. Master Chewy was second here last year and is now 4lb lower, but had wind surgery twice during his previous campaign, which raises doubts.

Teddy Blue won a good race at Kempton last season, but is harshly handicapped even on his best achievements. Nick Scholfield, meanwhile, has taken up the training of Insurrection, who is well-treated at his best, but that did not shine through last season.

Overall, the one who ticks the most boxes is IMPERIAL SAINT. He was disappointing in this race 12 months ago, but is a three-time course winner who stays further and copes with softening underfoot conditions. He has also twice won fresh, so can hopefully prove last season's reappearance here was a blip.

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Futurity Trophy Preview: Burning Up Can Upset Noble Exhibit

2026-10-23T12:15:48+01:00

The Futurity Trophy is the last Group 1 of the British Flat season and it looks a fascinating renewal. Seven two-year-olds go to post at 1.30pm on Saturday over a mile for £275,000, and the ground is set to be testing at Doncaster, with the clerk of the course warning that heavy could come into the description.

Noble Exhibit heads the market at 6/4 with William Hill, but I want to take him on with a colt who has already won on soft ground and looks a big price to do it again.

Aidan O'Brien is chasing a record 13th win in this race and he runs three. Noble Exhibit is the pick of them in the market after making all to win the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last month, and he won that easily. He deserves to be favourite, but the ground is a real question. He was taken out of a race at Galway in September because the soft ground was unsuitable, and 6/4 is short enough if it rides as testing as expected.

Al Hudaiba is 7/1 for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He has won four of his six starts, including the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket and a Grade 1 at Woodbine in Canada last time. He clearly has class, but he tends to race keenly and hang, and all of his British form has come on good or quicker ground.

BURNING UP is my selection at 7/2 with William Hill. Karl Burke's colt won both his starts at Haydock, including a novice on soft ground in September, when he was ridden to lead over a furlong out and ran on well. He then went to Newmarket for the Group 2 Royal Lodge on much quicker ground and was beaten only a length and a quarter into second.

He looked unbalanced in the Dip there but rallied and was running on at the finish, which suggests this stiff mile at Doncaster will suit him. Clifford Lee has ridden him in all three of his starts and keeps the ride. He has already won over this trip on soft ground, and 7/2 with William Hill is bigger than most firms are offering.

Of the rest, Breacher is 10/1. He was third in both the Solario and the Champagne Stakes, and his trainer thinks the step up to a mile will help. Sergei Diaghilev, another of the O'Brien trio, is 11/1 after finishing second in both the Champagne and the Autumn Stakes, and he is still looking for his first Group win. Giant Sequoia won the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh but was only sixth in the National Stakes and is 14/1, while Andrew Balding's Gran Dia is 12/1 after winning his only start, on soft ground at Salisbury. His connections have said this is a big step up in class.

I am happy to take 7/2 about BURNING UP to win. He has the soft-ground form that the favourite lacks, and he was finishing strongly in the Royal Lodge.

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ITV Racing Tips: Three Each-Way Picks For Cheltenham's Showcase Saturday

2026-10-23T11:25:00+01:00

The jumps season starts in earnest as ITV heads to Cheltenham on Saturday for day two of the Showcase meeting, with the Group 1 Futurity Trophy from Doncaster also on the bill. Storm Austen has already washed out Newbury, so Cheltenham carries most of the afternoon.

I've gone for three each-way bets at Prestbury Park, all priced 14/1 or bigger with William Hill. Each has solid recent form, and I think all three can make the frame.

13:10 Cheltenham – William Hill Epic Boosts Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Henry de Bromhead's Rockonliam (7/2) is the obvious one here. He comes over on a three-timer, and the latest of those wins was over three miles at Wexford, so this 2m4f trip is a question for him. The each-way value, though, is PALAMON at 14/1.

Dan Skelton's six-year-old has been busy this month, and I like what I've seen. He won a handicap chase at Southwell on 13th October, then six days later went to Plumpton and was beaten only a length and a half into second. He stumbled on the turn there, which may have cost him the race. The handicapper hasn't been able to catch up with that form yet.

He also has better runs in him than his price suggests. In April he was a close third, beaten a length and three-quarters, as the 11/8 favourite in a valuable novices' handicap chase at Sandown. Harry Skelton is back on board, and at 14/1 with three places I'm happy to back him to hit the frame.

14:20 Cheltenham – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier)

With 19 runners, this is the betting race of the day. William Hill were paying five places at the time of writing, which makes it worth chancing something at a price. Seaniecon (4/1) heads the market. Dual-purpose No More Bolero is interesting too after two easy wins this month, but he won both at odds-on, so I can't see much value at 12/1. My pick is DIVILABOTHER at 16/1.

Tristan Davidson's eight-year-old has had a terrific summer. He's won five of his last seven, and in the other two he was second and then fifth, beaten just a length and a quarter. Most recently he won going away over almost three miles at Uttoxeter on 4th October.

Harry Reed always drops him in and produces him late, and that style tends to suit a big-field Pertemps with a strong pace. He's up in grade and has gone up the weights, and Idaho Fire beat him by a length and three-quarters at Uttoxeter in July. Still, he keeps finding improvement, and five places at 16/1 makes him the each-way bet.

14:55 Cheltenham – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase

Here Comes Georgie (7/2) and Diamond Dealer (13/2) are both making their seasonal reappearance, which makes me wary at the head of the market. Mt Fugi Park (6/1) is the form horse after back-to-back wins at Worcester and Uttoxeter, although he now has to carry top weight. At a bigger price, I'll take KARNAVAL POINT at 28/1.

David Pipe's six-year-old ran a big race last time at Worcester on 7th October. He was outpaced two out but stayed on strongly up the run-in and snatched second in the final strides. On that evidence, this 3m1f trip should suit him.

He's been placed in good handicaps all summer, and he won over three miles at Uttoxeter in July. Rian Corcoran knows him well, having ridden him in every start this year. He's honest, he stays well, and I think 28/1 is too big in a nine-runner race.

Prices correct at the time of writing (Friday 23rd October) and subject to change. Always check each-way terms with your bookmaker before placing a bet. 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.

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Cheltenham Tips: Three Each-Way Picks For Day One Of Showcase Meeting

2026-10-23T09:16:01+01:00

Jump racing’s big season starts in earnest at Cheltenham today, with seven races on the opening day of the two-day Showcase meeting.

Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers has picked out three each-way selections, who are all available at attractive prices.

13:15 Cheltenham – William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Hurdle

Thirteen go to post for the opener and William Hill have Sunny South West and East India Express joint-favourites at 11/2, but I’m happy to take a bigger price about Crooked Path at 8/1.

James Owen’s four-year-old is busy and in good heart. He was third in a decent Class 2 handicap at Market Rasen in September, then dropped in grade to win at Fontwell last week, leading two out and going clear before the last. He’s been running well on the Flat in between too, winning at Kempton and finishing second twice at Epsom, so he’s fit and his confidence is high.

Jonathan Burke, who rode him at Market Rasen, is back on board, and he carries just 10st 2lb. The step up in class is the question, but with William Hill paying four places at a fifth of the odds, he looks a solid each-way bet.

14:25 Cheltenham – Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Another 13-runner handicap, and Wondering Why heads the William Hill market at 9/2. My pick is Wild Goose at 9/1.

Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls’ six-year-old won at Southwell at the start of October after a summer break, and the manner of the win caught my eye. Wild Goose jumped awkwardly at the first and the rider briefly lost an iron, yet still kept on up the run-in to lead close home.

Wild Goose also won at Hereford in the spring, so that’s two wins from the last three runs, both on good ground. Fern O’Brien takes over, and this is a step up from Class 4, but this looks a progressive type who should handle the hill. William Hill are again paying four places.

15:35 Cheltenham – squareintheair.com Handicap Chase

Calico is a fair favourite at 7/2 for Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton, but each-way value is the aim, and Soul Icon at 10/1 looks too big.

Soul Icon is the only course winner in the field, with a win and two places from three runs at Cheltenham. Keiran Burke’s nine-year-old has been kept busy since the spring: he was second over hurdles at Newton Abbot in August and ran a cracker on the Flat at Salisbury in September, finishing second at 40/1 in a conditions stakes.

Adam Wedge rides at 10st 10lb. The drop back to two miles is the worry after races over further, so Soul Icon will need to be sharp from the start. William Hill pay three places in this nine-runner race, and at 10/1 I’ll take the chance.

Prices with William Hill, correct at 13:30 on Thursday 22 October and subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org

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Best Cheltenham Showcase Free Bets & Betting Offers

2026-10-22T15:04:42+01:00

The Cheltenham Showcase meeting on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October is the first meeting of the season at Prestbury Park, and the bookmakers have lined up some strong sign-up offers for it. I've picked out the five best Cheltenham offers from DAZN Bet, BOYLE Sports, bet365, Sky Bet and 10Bet, with up to £50 on offer for new customers.

There are 14 races across the two days. On Friday, the Grade 2 Sharp Novices' Hurdle is the feature, and Calico goes for a hat-trick in the squareintheair.com Handicap Chase. Saturday's card includes the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase over 3m1f and a novices' chase in which Quebecois is top-rated.

If you haven't got an account with these firms yet, here's how each offer works, what you need to do to claim it and the key terms to watch out for.

Cheltenham Showcase Free Bet Offers At A Glance

Bookmaker	Offer	Min qualifying bet	Promo code
DAZN Bet	Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets	£10 at Evens (2.0) or bigger	None needed (opt-in required)
BOYLE Sports	Bet £10 Get £30 + Money Back If 2nd To SP Fav (Cheltenham)	£10 at Evens or bigger	None needed
bet365	Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets	£10 (min odds apply)	HR365
Sky Bet	Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets	First bet at Evens (1/1) or bigger	None needed
10Bet	100% Up To £50 On First Deposit + Money Back On 2nd Place in the 3pm at Cheltenham	First deposit, bonus wagered 10 times	Choose the bonus at sign-up

DAZN Bet Cheltenham Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

DAZN Bet gives new customers three £10 free bets when they place a £10 bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger. You need to opt in, and the qualifying bet has to be placed within seven days of registering.

Each-way bets don't count towards the qualifying bet, so place a win single on one of the Showcase runners. The free bets are valid for seven days on selected markets.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £30 in free bets (3 x £10)
Eligibility	New UK customers aged 18+, excluding Northern Ireland
Opt-in	Required, within 7 days of registration
Qualifying bet	£10 minimum at odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger, excluding boxing and each-way bets
Free bets	Valid on selected markets, stake not returned
Free bet expiry	7 days

BOYLE Sports Cheltenham Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 + Money Back If 2nd To SP Fav

BOYLE Sports gives new customers £30 in free bets for a £10 qualifying bet, and this version of the offer comes with a Cheltenham extra. If your horse finishes second to the SP favourite at Cheltenham, you get your stake back as a free bet up to £10.

The money-back concession applies to the first bet on each race, on win or the win part of each-way outright singles in races with five or more runners. With big handicap fields on both days, that's a useful safety net.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £30 in free bets
Eligibility	New UK customers aged 18+, excluding Northern Ireland
Minimum deposit	£10
Qualifying bet	£10 at minimum odds of Evens
Time to qualify	30 days
Free bet expiry	7 days
Money back if 2nd to SP fav	Max £10 free bet, win or win part of each-way outright singles, 5+ runners, first bet on each race, first-past-the-post result, unnamed second favourites don't qualify

bet365 Cheltenham Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

New bet365 customers who sign up with bonus code HR365 and bet £10 get £30 in free bets. The free bets are paid as Bet Credits once qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit have settled.

Minimum odds and payment method exclusions apply, so check the full terms before you place your qualifying bet on a Showcase runner. As with all free bets, the Bet Credits stake isn't included in any returns.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £30 in free bets
Bonus code	HR365
Eligibility	New customers aged 18+, registration required
Minimum deposit	Minimum deposit requirement applies
Free bets	Paid as Bet Credits on settlement of bets to the value of the qualifying deposit
Returns	Exclude Bet Credits stake
Exclusions	Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions and time limits apply

Sky Bet Cheltenham Offer: Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets

Sky Bet has the biggest headline offer of the five. New customers get £40 in free bets, paid as four £10 bet tokens, and the free bets are for horse racing only. That makes it a natural fit for the Showcase meeting, as you can spread the tokens across the races on Friday and Saturday.

Your first bet has to be a single or each-way bet at odds of 1/1 or bigger to qualify, and the free bets last for 30 days.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £40 in free bets (4 x £10 tokens)
Eligibility	New customers aged 18+
Qualifying bet	First single or each-way bet only, at odds of 1/1 or bigger
Free bets	Horse racing only, stakes not returned, non-withdrawable
Free bet expiry	30 days

10Bet Cheltenham Offer: 100% Up To £50 + Money Back On 2nd Place

10Bet works differently from the other four. Instead of free bets, new customers get a 100% bonus on their first deposit, up to £50. Choose the bonus when you sign up, and note that the bonus has to be wagered ten times before it can be withdrawn.

10Bet is also running a Money Back On 2nd Place special on the 3pm at Cheltenham on Friday, the Grade 2 Sharp Novices' Hurdle. If your horse finishes second, you get your stake back as a free bet up to £10.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	100% deposit bonus up to £50 on your first deposit
Eligibility	New players aged 18+
How to claim	Choose the bonus at sign-up
Wagering	Bonus must be wagered 10 times. Your deposit is used first
Withdrawals	Any withdrawal voids the bonus
Bonus expiry	30 days
Money back special	Up to £10 free bet if your horse finishes 2nd in the 3pm at Cheltenham
Exclusions	Odds, bet and payment limits apply

Which Cheltenham Showcase Free Bet Offer Is Best?

It depends on how you like to bet. If you want the most free bet value to use on the racing, Sky Bet is my pick, with £40 in tokens that are ring-fenced for horse racing and last for 30 days.

BOYLE Sports stands out for the money-back-if-second-to-the-favourite extra at Cheltenham, which suits anyone backing outsiders in the big handicaps. 10Bet also gives you a second-place safety net in the Sharp Novices' Hurdle on top of its deposit bonus. bet365 and DAZN Bet both give £30, but DAZN Bet's free bets expire after seven days and each-way bets don't qualify.

You can claim all five offers if you are new to each bookmaker, as long as you meet the eligibility rules for each one.

How To Claim A Cheltenham Free Bet

Click through to the bookmaker from this page and open a new account.
Enter the code if one is needed: HR365 for bet365. DAZN Bet needs you to opt in, and with 10Bet you choose the bonus at sign-up. BOYLE Sports and Sky Bet don't need a code.
Deposit using an eligible payment method. A debit card is the safest choice.
Place your qualifying bet at the minimum odds or bigger. A Showcase runner at Evens or longer does the job.
Your free bets are credited once the qualifying bet settles. Check the expiry date and use them before they run out.

Key Terms To Check Before You Bet

Minimum odds: the qualifying bets need odds of Evens or bigger, so a short-priced favourite won't count.
Each-way bets: DAZN Bet excludes each-way bets from its qualifying bet. Sky Bet accepts a single or each-way first bet.
Payment methods: some deposit methods are excluded, so deposit by debit card.
Free bet stakes: the stake is not returned when a free bet wins, only the winnings.
Wagering: the 10Bet deposit bonus has to be wagered 10 times, and any withdrawal voids it.
Expiry: BOYLE Sports and DAZN Bet free bets last 7 days, while Sky Bet free bets and the 10Bet bonus last 30 days.

Cheltenham Showcase Free Bets FAQs

When is the Cheltenham Showcase meeting 2026?
The Showcase meeting takes place at Cheltenham on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October 2026.

Can I claim more than one Cheltenham free bet offer?
Yes. Each offer is for new customers of that bookmaker, so you can claim one from every bookmaker you don't already have an account with.

Do I need a promo code?
bet365 needs bonus code HR365. DAZN Bet needs you to opt in, and with 10Bet you choose the bonus at sign-up. BOYLE Sports and Sky Bet don't need a code.

Which offers give money back at Cheltenham?
BOYLE Sports refunds your stake as a free bet up to £10 if your horse finishes second to the SP favourite at Cheltenham. 10Bet gives a free bet up to £10 if your horse finishes second in the 3pm on Friday.

Please gamble responsibly. 18+ only. T&Cs apply to every offer. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org.

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How often do favourites win in horse racing?

2026-10-22T14:55:54+01:00

The statistics suggest that favourites win roughly one of every three races in Britain, more specifically in the 30-35% range. There are many factors which can affect the likelihood of a favourite winning, including race type, field size and price and absolutely no guarantees. Casual punters can fall into the trap of assuming that the favourites are usually victorious.

How well do the market leaders fare?

As previously stated, favourites tend to win a third of all races across Britain, on average, and the statistics suggest that second favourites come out on top 18-21% of the time and third favourites come out on top in 12-15% of races. This means in total that the first three in the market tend to win 60-71% of British races, which equates to roughly two thirds.

What are the key factors to consider?

It’s important to consider the impact of the race type on the probability of a favourite winning as favourites have a much lower strike-rate in handicaps (26-29%) which is significant. Handicaps are designed to give every horse an equal chance of winning, which explains the variation, and that’s very important to remember when betting on handicaps.

Statistically speaking, more than half of races in Britain are handicaps, which means there’s a higher chance of winning favourites in other types of races. For example, novice hurdles and chases tend to go the way of the favourite 48-49% of the time, as the better horses have a significant advantage. Odds-on favourites win an even higher percentage of this race type.

Horses at bigger prices are at a significant disadvantage in novice hurdles and chases according to the statistics, as around 8% of horses priced at 8/1 or higher come out on top.

Big fields and top-level races

The best example of a big-field race is the Grand National, which has a maximum field of around 34 runners these days and almost anything can happen during the race. This is why there have been winners at such big prices over the years and favourites don’t fare as well.

Other big field handicaps like the Ebor on the Flat or the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival always have huge field sizes which can impact the competitiveness of the race and the likelihood of horses getting a clear or falling victim to a draw or pace bias.

Group 1 races on the Flat and Grade 1 races over jumps tend to produce winning favourites around 30% of the time, which is closer to the national average but still highlights the small margins that can make a difference to the result when the best of the best face off.

What this means when it comes to backing the favourite

Simply backing the favourite every time isn’t a winning strategy as winning one in three races with the shortest priced runner won’t provide a profit in the long run. There are always multiple factors to consider when placing a bet and use these stats as a starting point rather than a hard and fast rule which will always play out as you expect it to.

Frequently asked questions

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Free Horse Racing Predictor Game: Win Prizes All Jumps Season With Pat's NAPS

2026-10-22T09:54:21+01:00

Pat’s NAPs is a free-to-play horse racing prediction game that gives racing fans the chance to put their knowledge to the test and compete for exciting prizes during some of the biggest racing festivals of the year.

Unlike traditional tipping competitions, Pat’s NAPs rewards players for both selecting winners and finding value in the betting market. The bigger the odds of your winning selections, the more points you can earn.

Ahead of the start of the National Hunt season, Pat's NAPS is giving you the chance to win £1000 cash, if you top the end-of-season leaderboard, whilst through the jumps campaign, there will be 12 competitions running, where you can pick up a prize if you top one of those competitions.

The action all starts at Cheltenham's Showcase Meeting on Friday 23rd October, with the season leaderboard being finalised on the final day of the Punchestown Festival on Saturday 1st May.

Find out more by checking out Pat's NAPS, but we talk you through all the rules below:

PLAY PAT'S NAPS HERE - WIN PRIZES IN FREE TO PLAY GAME

What Is Pat’s NAPs?

Pat’s NAPs is a free online horse racing competition where players predict the winners of races during selected racing festivals.

Rather than simply counting the number of winners you pick, the game awards points based on the odds of each successful selection. This means finding a winner at a bigger price can be more rewarding than consistently selecting short-priced favourites.

Each competition runs across a designated race meeting, with players accumulating points throughout the event. The participant who finishes with the highest overall score tops the leaderboard and claims the winner's prize.

Only winning selections earn points. Horses that finish second, third or in any other position do not score, regardless of their starting odds.

Pat’s NAPs Next Competition

Pat's NAPS all starts at Cheltenham's Showcase Meeting between Friday 23rd October and Saturday 24th October. With prizes up for grabs every day, with your points accumulating for the end-of-season prize, then don't hesitate to get involved.

How to Play Pat’s NAPs

Getting started with Pat’s NAPs is quick and straightforward. Registration is completely free, and you can begin making your selections once you have joined an active competition.

Follow these simple steps to take part:

1. Create Your Free Account

Creating an account takes just a few moments and allows you to enter upcoming competitions.

2. Join a Competition

Once registered, find the latest available competition and select the 'Join Now' option.

Each competition is based around a particular racing festival or meeting.

3. Make Your Race Selections

Head to the 'Enter Picks' section to view the races included in each day's competition.

From here, you can select the horses you believe will win.

4. Choose One Horse Per Race

You can make one main selection in every race included in the competition.

Your chosen horse must win its race to earn points, with the number of points determined by its winning odds.

5. Add a Backup Selection

You can also choose a reserve horse for each race.

If your original selection becomes a non-runner, your backup will take its place. If you do not nominate a reserve, the favourite will be used automatically.

This helps prevent you from missing out on scoring opportunities when a horse is withdrawn.

6. Pick Your Daily NAP

Each day, you can nominate one horse as your NAP selection by clicking the star icon.

Your NAP is your strongest selection of the day and earns double points if it wins, subject to the game's maximum points limit.

Once you have completed your selections, you're ready to follow the racing and see how you perform against the competition.

How Does Pat’s NAPs Scoring Work?

The Pat’s NAPs scoring system rewards players based on the winning odds of their selections.

For example, if you select a horse that wins at 2/1, you receive two points. If that horse is your nominated NAP, your score doubles to four points.

Higher-priced winners provide the opportunity to earn more points, but there is a maximum of 16 points per winning selection, including NAPs.

This means a horse winning at 20/1 would earn 16 points rather than 20. Similarly, a winning NAP at 10/1 would earn 16 points rather than 20 because of the scoring cap.

Create Your Own Pat’s NAPs Mini League

As well as competing against everyone in the main leaderboard, Pat’s NAPs allows you to create private mini leagues with friends and family.

Mini leagues are an excellent way to add some friendly rivalry to major racing festivals, whether you're following the action together or competing from different locations.

Players in a mini league still take part in the overall competition, meaning they can compete against their friends while also having the chance to win the main prize.

Official prizes are awarded through the overall competition, rather than individual mini leagues. However, members can arrange their own informal rewards or bragging rights.

What Prizes Can You Win?

Pat’s NAPs offers players the opportunity to win prizes without paying an entry fee.

Firstly, there will be prizes throughout the National Hunt season, with £1000 up for grabs for the overall winner. However, there's also daily prizes available for players, as well as mini-league prizes, so every competition can be treated as a new event, so there's always something to play for.

Pat’s NAPs Terms and Conditions

The following key rules apply to Pat’s NAPs competitions:

Players must be aged 18 or over.
Each player is permitted one entry per competition.
Daily selections must be submitted before the first race of that day.
Only winning selections earn points.
Each player can nominate one NAP selection per day.
The maximum score for a winning selection is 16 points, including NAPs.
The official first prize is awarded to the winner of the overall leaderboard only.

Players should review the full competition terms and conditions before participating.

FAQ's

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UEFA Champions League Free Bets: Best Betting Offers For Como v Man Utd & Bayern v Arsenal

2026-10-21T16:30:01+01:00

Wednesday’s Champions League Matchday 3 schedule is packed, with Arsenal travelling to Bayern Munich and Manchester United heading to Italy to face Como. Arsenal kick off at 8pm UK time, and I’ve rounded up five of the best Champions League free bet offers from DAZN Bet, BetAhoy, BOYLE Sports, bet365 and William Hill, ranging from £10 to £40.

Arsenal arrive in Munich with a perfect defensive record in this season’s competition, having beaten Napoli and Lille without conceding. The Allianz Arena will be their toughest test yet, though, with an unbeaten Bayern side waiting for them. Manchester United face a different kind of challenge on Lake Como.

There’s more English interest on Wednesday night too, as Aston Villa host Viking at Villa Park, so there are plenty of options for punters looking to back the Premier League sides in Europe.

With free bets available across several bookmakers, there’s plenty to consider before placing a wager. Some promotions can be used on any sport, while others are restricted to Bet Builders or accumulators. Below, I’ve broken down all five offers, including how much they’re worth, the qualifying requirements and exactly how to claim them.

Champions League Free Bet Offers At A Glance

Bookmaker	Offer	Min qualifying bet	Promo code
DAZN Bet	Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets	£10 at Evens (2.0) or bigger	None needed (opt-in required)
BetAhoy	Bet £10 Get £10 In Free Bets	First £10 bet at Evens (2.0) or bigger	ALLABOARD10
BOYLE Sports	Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets	£10 at Evens or bigger	None needed
bet365	Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets (Bet Credits)	£10 qualifying bet	HR365
William Hill	Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets	£10 single at Evens (2.00) or bigger	FB40

DAZN Bet Champions League Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

A Champions League match is a straightforward way to qualify, as long as your selection is at Evens or longer. Each-way bets and boxing bets don't count, and the free bets are valid for seven days on selected markets, so check where you can use them before you place them.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £30 in free bets (3 x £10)
Eligibility	New UK customers aged 18+, excluding Northern Ireland
Opt-in	Required
Time to qualify	Within 7 days of registration
Qualifying bet	£10 minimum at odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger, excluding boxing and each-way bets
Free bets	Valid on selected markets, stake not returned
Free bet expiry	7 days

BetAhoy Champions League Offer: Bet £10 Get £10 In Free Bets

BetAhoy gives new customers £10 in free bets for a £10 first bet. Register, enter promo code ALLABOARD10 via My Bonuses within seven days, then place your first £10 bet at odds of Evens (2.0) or bigger using your cash balance.

Once that bet settles, you get a £5 sports free bet to use at odds of Evens or bigger, plus a £5 acca free bet for an accumulator of four or more legs at 2/5 or bigger per leg. With 18 Champions League matches this week, there are plenty of options for that acca.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £10 in free bets (£5 sports free bet + £5 acca free bet)
Promo code	ALLABOARD10, entered via My Bonuses
Eligibility	New customers aged 18+
Time to enter code	Within 7 days of registering
Qualifying bet	First £10 bet at Evens (2.0) or bigger from your cash balance
Excluded bets	Void and cashed-out bets
Sports free bet	£5, minimum odds Evens (2.0)
Acca free bet	£5, 4+ legs, minimum odds 2/5 (1.4) per leg

BOYLE Sports Champions League Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

BOYLE Sports gives new customers £30 in free bets for a £10 qualifying bet at odds of Evens or bigger, so a bet on a Champions League match will qualify. The free bet is applied when your first qualifying bet settles.

You have 30 days to place the qualifying bet, but the free bets expire after seven days, so plan to use them quickly. BOYLE Sports also adds a racing extra, with money back as a free bet if your horse finishes second to the SP favourite at selected meetings.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £30 in free bets
Eligibility	New UK customers aged 18+, excluding Northern Ireland
Minimum deposit	£10
Qualifying bet	£10 at minimum odds of Evens
Time to qualify	30 days
Free bet expiry	7 days
Excluded bets	Cashed-out bets and free bets don't qualify
Limit	One offer per customer, household and IP address

bet365 Champions League Offer: Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets

New bet365 customers who sign up with bonus code HR365 and bet £10 get £30 in free bets, paid as Bet Credits. The Bet Credits become available once you have settled bets to the value of your qualifying deposit.

bet365 covers the Champions League in depth, with plenty of markets for each match. Remember that the Bet Credits stake is not included in any returns, and minimum odds, bet type and payment method exclusions apply, so read the full terms when you sign up.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £30 in free bets (paid as Bet Credits)
Bonus code	HR365
Eligibility	New customers aged 18+
Minimum deposit	Minimum deposit requirement applies
When credited	Once bets to the value of your qualifying deposit have settled
Returns	Exclude the Bet Credits stake
Restrictions	Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions and time limits apply

William Hill Champions League Offer: Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets

William Hill's offer is the best fit for Champions League fans. Register with promo code FB40, deposit £10 or more and place a £10 single at odds of Evens (2.00) or bigger on any sports market, and you get four £10 free bets once the bet settles.

The four free bets are valid on any Bet Builder, so you can use them to combine selections such as goalscorers, cards and corners within a Champions League match. They expire after seven days, and several payment methods, including PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill and NETELLER, don't qualify.

Offer detail	Terms
Welcome offer	Bet £10, get £40 in free bets (4 x £10)
Promo code	FB40
Eligibility	New UK customers aged 18+, online only
Qualifying bet	£10 single from main balance at Evens (2.00) or bigger on any sports market, excluding Virtuals
Free bets	Valid on any Bet Builder, must be used in full
Free bet expiry	7 days
Excluded deposits	PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay and WH PLUS Card
Offer ends	31 December 2026

Which Champions League Free Bet Offer Is Best?

If you want free bets to use on the Champions League itself, William Hill is my pick. You get £40 in free bets that can go on Bet Builders, which suit big European nights, although you need to use them within seven days.

DAZN Bet, BOYLE Sports and bet365 each give you £30 for a £10 bet. bet365 needs bonus code HR365, DAZN Bet needs you to opt in, and the DAZN Bet free bets are for selected markets only. BetAhoy is the smallest offer at £10, split between a £5 sports free bet and a £5 acca free bet, and you need code ALLABOARD10.

You can claim all five offers if you are new to each bookmaker, as long as you meet the eligibility rules for each one.

How To Claim A Champions League Free Bet

Sign up with a bookmaker: Follow the link from this page to your chosen bookmaker and register for a new account.
Add the promotional code: Enter the relevant bonus code when required. Use HR365 for bet365, FB40 for William Hill or ALLABOARD10 for BetAhoy, which must be entered through the My Bonuses section. DAZN Bet requires you to opt in to the promotion, while BOYLE Sports doesn't require a code.
Make a qualifying deposit: Fund your new account using an accepted payment method. A debit card is generally the most straightforward option, although you should check the promotion's payment restrictions.
Place your first bet: Bet at or above the minimum qualifying odds for your chosen offer. A Champions League selection at Evens (2.00) or bigger meets the odds requirement for all five promotions, subject to any other restrictions.
Claim and use your free bets: Once your qualifying bet has settled, your free bets should be credited according to the bookmaker's terms. Make sure you check when they expire and use them before the deadline.

Key Terms To Check Before You Bet

Minimum odds: DAZN Bet, BetAhoy, BOYLE Sports and William Hill all need a qualifying bet at Evens or bigger, so a short-priced favourite won't count.
Where you can use the free bets: William Hill free bets are for Bet Builders, DAZN Bet free bets are for selected markets, and half of the BetAhoy reward is an acca free bet for four or more legs.
Payment methods: e-wallets are excluded from some of these offers, so deposit by debit card.
Free bet stakes: the stake is not returned when a free bet wins, only the winnings.
Expiry: DAZN Bet, BOYLE Sports and William Hill free bets last 7 days, so use them quickly.

Champions League Free Bets FAQs

Can I use these free bets on the Champions League?
The William Hill free bets can be used on Bet Builders and the DAZN Bet free bets on selected markets. The BetAhoy reward is a £5 sports free bet plus a £5 acca free bet, and the BOYLE Sports and bet365 free bets are subject to their own terms.

Can I claim more than one Champions League free bet offer?
Yes. Each offer is for new customers of that bookmaker, so you can claim one from every bookmaker you don't already have an account with.

Do I need a promo code?
bet365 needs bonus code HR365, William Hill needs FB40 and BetAhoy needs ALLABOARD10. DAZN Bet needs you to opt in, and BOYLE Sports doesn't need a code.

Can my qualifying bet go on a Champions League match?
Yes. Each of these offers accepts a sports bet as the qualifying bet, as long as it meets the minimum stake and odds.

Please gamble responsibly. 18+ only. T&Cs apply to every offer. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org.

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Cheltenham Showcase Meeting 2026 Tips: @RoadCheltenham Picks Out 5 To Follow

2026-10-21T14:04:27+01:00

While Chepstow is officially regarded as the start of the jumps season, there is no better feeling than returning to Prestbury Park after a long summer.

This year, the break between drinks was longer than anticipated after the April meeting was cancelled and it’ll be great to be back at Cheltenham to savour the atmosphere.

The Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham is always eagerly anticipated and National Hunt fans will be flocking to the track in their masses.

Here, I look at five standout runners to follow – both with a view to this weekend and for the season ahead, starting with an Irish raider in the opening chase on Friday afternoon.

Friday, 1.30pm – BOWENSONFIRE

Gordon Elliott has brought several horses over for this race in recent years, including the likes of Buddy Rich, Ash Tree Meadow and King Of Kingsfield and Relieved Of Duties last season.

The Cullentra House handler has previously used this race for a Grand Annual-type and I’d be inclined to think that BOWENSONFIRE will line up in that race in March. Given an official BHA mark of 143, there’s plenty of scope in that figure and he’s an intriguing one on Friday afternoon.

He’s the right favourite on all known form and I’ll be keeping a close eye on him. Jarrive De Mee drops right back in trip and has a point to prove after disappointing in two chase starts while Ice Jet is a potential improver but has plenty to find on official ratings.

Jack Kennedy comes over to take the ride and it’ll be fascinating to watch how the race develops. He’s definitely one that interests me for the spring so I can’t wait to see how he gets on.

Friday, 3.00pm – COOLTOBECARELESS

A winner at Chepstow this month, COOLTOBECARELESS looks a real prospect for novice hurdling and he can make hay before the weather turns. Dan Skelton has won this race in each of the previous two years and a third successive victory could be on the cards.

While Planters Punch brings a wealth of experience to the table, the Skelton runner is a five-year-old and he could just prove bigger and stronger than his market rival. In addition, Nicky Henderson has yet to really get going with his winter runners so they may be a tad behind.

I’m not sure how strong the race at Chepstow actually was but Cooltobecareless could hardly have been more impressive. With that run under his belt, he could be a tough nut to crack and he will take some pegging back if he hits the front coming down the hill.

There’s more substance to the form of Planters Punch but I’m inclined to take the Seven Barrows horses on at this time of year. Cooltobecareless could easily end up being one for a County Hurdle come the spring.

Saturday, 2.20pm – IDAHO FIRE

The Pertemps qualifier is always a fascinating affair, with the likes of The Wallpark and Ma Shantou prevailing in recent times. IDAHO FIRE is an intriguing entry in this race and he would be my selection if he lines up – he’s currently priced at 12/1 with several firms and I could see him going off a lot shorter if declared.

He has thrived since switching from Paul Nicholls to James Owen, and Jonathan Burke has got a real tune out of him. He’s now off a mark of 119, so will need to improve once again but that isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Given he has an official BHA rating of 119, he will need to win a race at some point to get in the race and what better race to win than a qualifier? He should have no problem with the trip and I’d be hopeful that he can continue his upward trajectory.

As you’d expect with a Pertemps Final qualifier, it is a competitive enough field but I’d be hopeful that Idaho Fire can hold his own in a race like this.

Saturday, 3.30pm – NORTH SHORE

It looks like NORTH SHORE will be the sole representative for the Skelton yard in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle on Saturday and he should come on leaps and bounds for his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow.

He ran well for a long way before seemingly taking a blow, running on again after the last hurdle to finish fourth. This son of The Grey Gatsby has some solid juvenile form from last year and he ran well for a long way in the 2026 Triumph Hurdle – so he should have no problem handling Cheltenham.

Currently rated 135 but in receipt of weight from a couple of his rivals, the conditions of the race should suit him and he appears versatile with regards to ground. There’s a lot to like and hopefully he can get the job done on Saturday afternoon.

This race cut up massively last year but it could be competitive enough this time around and the 6/1 currently available on North Shore looks reasonable. If Harry takes the ride, then it would be a big shock if he’s that price come the off.

Saturday, 4.05pm – DERRYHASSEN PADDY

Last but not least, we have a horse who needs no introduction. DERRYHASSEN PADDY had a lofty enough reputation after an impressive novice hurdle season but suffered a season-ending injury after his chase debut at Ayr last November.

Touted as a potential Brown Advisory horse, it’ll be interesting to see how tuned up he is for Saturday’s debut. Connections have suggested that he is an intended runner this weekend but he’ll likely need some cut in the ground, so hopefully the rain falls at Prestbury Park.

Given Sixmilebridge went on to win a Grade 1 as a novice last term, Derryhassen Paddy should not be dismissed as we enter the new season. With a clear run and some astute race planning, he could pick up some nice prizes throughout the campaign.

For me, I’m inclined to think he may fall just short of Grade 1 class but he could easily end up being one for the Ultima Handicap Chase. It may seem ‘obvious’ given the yard’s success in the race, but he does look tailor-made for it.

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Leeds vs Man United Betting Offer Today: 50/1 Fernandes Shot on Target

2026-10-18T10:30:01+01:00

Paddy Power are offering new customers enhanced odds of 50/1 on Bruno Fernandes to have one or more shots on target, including the woodwork, in Leeds vs Man United on Sunday at Elland Road. The offer applies to a maximum £1 bet, with normal-price winnings paid in cash and the enhancement awarded in Free Bet Builder bets.

One shot on target from Fernandes is enough for the qualifying selection to win, and a shot that hits the woodwork counts. However, the distinction between cash winnings and the free-bet reward is important: this is not a straight cash payout at 50/1. New customers only, 18+.

Paddy Power Leeds vs Man United Offer – Key Details

Offer Detail	Offer Terms
Bookmaker	Paddy Power
Who can claim?	New customers only, 18+
Fixture	Leeds vs Man United, Sunday 18th October, 2pm kick-off
Enhanced odds	50/1 on Bruno Fernandes 1+ shot on target, including the woodwork
Qualifying market	Bruno Fernandes 1+ in the Player Shots on Target Including Woodwork market
Maximum qualifying stake	£1
How winnings are paid	Cash at normal odds, topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bet Builder bets
Eligible deposit methods	Cards and Apple Pay only
Free Bet Builder bet expiry	14 days
Excluded bets	Multiples and in-play bets

How To Claim The Paddy Power Leeds vs Man United Offer

Visit Paddy Power through this offer link and register a new account.
Deposit using a card or Apple Pay. Only deposits made through these methods are eligible.
Find Leeds vs Man United on Sunday 18th October and open the Player Shots on Target Including Woodwork market.
Place a pre-match single bet of no more than £1 on Bruno Fernandes 1+. Multiples and in-play bets do not qualify.
If the selection wins, receive your winnings in cash at the normal odds, with the enhancement paid in Free Bet Builder bets.
Use the Free Bet Builder bets within their 14-day validity period.

How Does The Paddy Power 50/1 Offer Work?

The qualifying selection is Bruno Fernandes 1+ in the Player Shots on Target Including Woodwork market, meaning he needs at least one shot that is on target or hits the woodwork. The result of the match does not matter, so the bet can win in a Leeds win, a Man United win or a draw. If Fernandes has no shot on target, the bet loses.

The payment structure is the detail to understand. Your qualifying bet is settled at the normal market odds, with those winnings paid in cash. Paddy Power then adds Free Bet Builder bets to top up the winnings to the advertised enhanced price of 50/1.

For a £1 qualifying stake, 50/1 represents £50 in winnings. However, that does not mean you receive £50 in cash. The normal-price winnings make up the cash portion, with the remaining enhancement awarded in Free Bet Builder bets. The exact split depends on the normal odds at which your qualifying bet is placed.

The reward is also restricted to Bet Builders. These are bets combining selections from the same match, rather than conventional single bets. The promotional bets are valid for 14 days, so the offer is most relevant to customers who would already use that type of bet.

Which Bets And Deposit Methods Qualify?

To qualify, your bet must be placed on Bruno Fernandes 1+ in the Player Shots on Target Including Woodwork market for Leeds vs Man United. A different player, a different shots line, a goalscorer bet or a bet on either team to win would not meet that requirement.

The qualifying stake is capped at £1, and the bet must be placed before kick-off. In-play bets and multiples are excluded, so adding the selection to an accumulator would not qualify.

Your deposit method matters too. The offer terms specify cards and Apple Pay as the eligible options. Customers depositing through another payment method would not qualify for this promotion.

Leeds vs Man United Match Preview

Leeds United host Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday 18th October, with kick-off at 2pm and live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event from 1pm. Leeds go into the game as favourites for the first time in a Premier League meeting with United.

Form is a worry for both sides. Leeds lost 2-1 at Arsenal last weekend, which ended their unbeaten run, while United drew 1-1 at home to Tottenham and lost 2-0 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. That Tottenham draw means this is United's worst start to a league season in 40 years, so United arrive in Yorkshire needing a result.

The recent meetings favour Leeds. They won 2-1 at Old Trafford last season, their first league win over United since 2002, with Noah Okafor scoring both goals, and the game at Elland Road last season finished 1-1.

On team news, Leeds are without Joe Rodon (hamstring), while Dan James and Harry Wilson are in contention after injury problems. United have doubts over Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Noussair Mazraoui, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte remain sidelined, and Benjamin Sesko has missed two games with a shin problem. Matthijs de Ligt is in contention and Leny Yoro is available.

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Dubois vs Wardley 2 Betting Offer Today: 50/1 Dubois or 70/1 Wardley

2026-10-17T17:00:01+01:00

Sky Bet are offering new customers 50/1 on Daniel Dubois to win or 70/1 on Fabio Wardley to win in Dubois vs Wardley 2 on Saturday 17 October, with a maximum £1 stake. This page covers how the offer pays out, the catches in the terms and how it compares with Sky Bet's standard welcome offer.

Back Dubois to win at 50/1 or Wardley to win at a boosted 70/1 with a £1 single. A winning Dubois bet returns £50 in bet tokens. New customers only, 18+.

How Does the Sky Bet 50/1 Dubois vs Wardley 2 Offer Work?

The offer is open to new Sky Bet customers aged 18 or over. To claim it:

Sign up as a new Sky Bet customer through the Sky Bet 50/1 Dubois vs Wardley 2 offer and deposit at least £5.
Find the "Dubois to Win" or "Wardley to Win" market for Dubois vs Wardley 2.
Place a £1 single on your chosen fighter. It must be your first bet, and £1 is the maximum qualifying stake.
If your fighter wins, the bet is paid in bet tokens, as explained below.

What Does the 50/1 Offer Actually Pay?

A £1 bet on Dubois at 50/1 returns £50, paid as 5 x £10 bet tokens. Wardley is boosted to 70/1. Free bet stakes are not included in returns and the tokens cannot be withdrawn. The biggest catch is that the free bets can only be used on BuildABets or multiples, not on single bets. The key terms are:

Minimum deposit: £5
Maximum qualifying stake: £1, on the "Dubois to Win" or "Wardley to Win" market only
Qualifying bet: your first £1 single only
Dubois returns: 5 x £10 bet tokens
Token use: BuildABets or multiples only
Token expiry: 14 days

What Do We Know Ahead of Dubois vs Wardley 2?

The fight takes place on Saturday 17 October at The O2 in London and is live on DAZN pay-per-view, with main-event ring walks expected around 10:30pm UK time. Dubois defends his WBO world heavyweight title over 12 rounds. He is 23-3 with 22 knockouts, while Wardley is 20-1-1 with 19 knockouts. In the first fight, at Co-op Live in Manchester on 9 May 2026, Dubois got up from two early knockdowns to stop Wardley at the start of the 11th round and take the WBO title, handing Wardley his first professional defeat.

What About Sky Bet's Standard Welcome Offer?

Sky Bet's usual new customer deal is Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets. Place a first single or each-way bet at odds of evens (1/1) or bigger and you receive 4 x £10 bet tokens, which expire after 30 days. The catch is that these free bets are for horse racing only, so the deal suits racing punters rather than boxing fans.

Free bet stakes are not included in returns and the tokens are non-withdrawable. As with the 50/1 offer, it is for new customers only, 18+, and eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.

Who Should Take the Dubois vs Wardley 2 Offer?

If you think the champion will win again, 50/1 on Dubois is the offer to take, with a £1 stake returning £50 in bet tokens. If you think Wardley can turn the first fight around, 70/1 is the bigger price, though remember that this is a boxing match and a £1 bet on the losing fighter is lost.

Either way, check the token restriction before you sign up, as they can only be used on BuildABets or multiples. If you would rather use free bets on single bets, the Bet £10 Get £40 deal may suit you better, but only if you are a racing punter, as those free bets are for horse racing only.

Gamble responsibly, only stake what you can afford to lose, and remember that these offers are for over-18s only.

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Newcastle vs Aston Villa Betting Offer Today: 50/1 on a Goal (5:30pm)

2026-10-17T11:00:01+01:00

Sky Bet are offering new customers 50/1 on a goal in Newcastle vs Aston Villa on Saturday 17 October, with a maximum £1 stake. This page covers how the offer pays out, the catches in the terms and how it compares with Sky Bet's standard welcome offer.

Back Over 0.5 Goals with a £1 single and, if a goal is scored, Sky Bet pay £50 in bet tokens. New customers only, 18+.

How Does the Sky Bet 50/1 Newcastle vs Aston Villa Offer Work?

The offer is open to new Sky Bet customers aged 18 or over. To claim it:

Sign up as a new Sky Bet customer through the Sky Bet 50/1 Newcastle vs Aston Villa offer and deposit at least £5.
Find the "Over 0.5 Goals" market for Newcastle vs Aston Villa.
Place a £1 single on Over 0.5 Goals. It must be your first bet, and £1 is the maximum qualifying stake.
If a goal is scored, the bet pays at 50/1 in bet tokens, as explained below.

What Does the 50/1 Offer Actually Pay?

A £1 bet at 50/1 returns £50, paid as 5 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes are not included in returns and the tokens cannot be withdrawn, so they are for betting with rather than for taking out. The key terms are:

Minimum deposit: £5
Maximum qualifying stake: £1, on the Over 0.5 Goals market only
Qualifying bet: your first £1 single only
Returns: 5 x £10 bet tokens
Token expiry: 14 days

What Do We Know Ahead of Newcastle vs Aston Villa?

The Premier League game kicks off at 5:30pm on Saturday 17 October at St James' Park. Of the last 10 meetings in all competitions, Newcastle have won six, Villa three and one was drawn, and only one of those games finished goalless, a 0-0 at Villa Park in August 2025. Villa won 2-0 at St James' Park in the Premier League in January 2026, before Newcastle won 3-1 at Villa Park in the FA Cup in February. Newcastle lost 4-1 at Coventry in their last league game on 12 October, although there has been a goal in every one of their eight games this season, while Villa arrive after a 6-0 Champions League win over Fenerbahçe on 14 October, which followed a 2-2 league draw with Brentford.

What About Sky Bet's Standard Welcome Offer?

Free bet stakes are not included in returns and the tokens are non-withdrawable. As with the 50/1 offer, it is for new customers only, 18+, and eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.

Who Should Take the Newcastle vs Aston Villa Offer?

Take the 50/1 offer if you want to back a goal on Saturday for a £1 stake, one market and a clear payout. The catch is that the bet only wins if there is at least one goal, and if there is not, the £1 is lost.

If you would rather not bet on football at all, the Bet £10 Get £40 deal may suit you better, but only if you are a racing punter, as the free bets can't be used on anything else. Neither offer is for existing Sky Bet customers, and both sets of tokens expire, after 14 days for the 50/1 offer and 30 days for the standard welcome offer, so plan to use them in time.

Gamble responsibly, only stake what you can afford to lose, and remember that these offers are for over-18s only.

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ITV Racing Tips: A Trio Of Each-Way Picks

2026-10-16T19:00:01+01:00

Champions Day is live on ITV1 on Saturday, with Ascot staging a Group 1 feast and a huge straight-mile handicap to finish. My main selections are in the individual race previews.

For the ITV tips I wanted to look for something different, so here are three more who interest me at each-way prices. All three are 14/1 or bigger and each has a real chance of running into the frame.

13:30 Ascot – Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup

I like Daiquiri Bay at 14/1 to win this, but at each-way prices the one who interests me most is MOUNT ATLAS at around 20/1.

Andrew Balding's five-year-old is rated 112 and has finished in the first three in all five starts this year, winning once, so he has been the model of consistency. His trainer describes him as a place prospect, and he says the horse travels strongly. The question is whether he truly stays two miles, but this is a ten-runner Group 1 with questions to answer at the top of the market, including Caballo De Mar and Highwayman. P J McDonald rides and I think he is a nice price to hit the frame.

14:05 Ascot – Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes

Division is my pick to win this at 10/1, and Almeraq is a short-priced favourite at 6/5. But if I am looking at the each-way end of the market then PABORUS at around 14/1 is the one who interests me.

Edward Bethell's five-year-old is rated 113 and chased home Almeraq at Haydock last time, having headed him one furlong out before being beaten. Daniel Tudhope rides. With sixteen runners and the favourite short, I think there are places to be had, and at 14/1 he looks a fair each-way price.

14:40 Ascot – Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes

Sparan Nua is my selection to win this at 8/1, with Kalpana the one to beat at 6/4. If I am going for a big price at each-way prices then it has to be COEDANA at around 25/1.

Edward Bethell's four-year-old is rated 105 and she has progressed steadily this year. She won the Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket last month under Connor Beasley, beating Inis Mor by half a length at 100-30, and her only Group 1 try so far was a respectable run in Munich in July when she was beaten 3¼ lengths by Hotazhell, who later won the Irish Champion Stakes. Her trainer says Champions Day was always the target, so she should be fit and ready.

She is 25/1 because she is one of the lowest-rated runners in a field of thirteen, but she is improving and I think she is a good price to run into the places. Check the each-way terms with your bookmaker, as they vary from firm to firm.

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Balmoral Handicap Preview: Gavriel Looks A Fair Price For The Gosdens

2026-10-16T17:30:01+01:00

The Balmoral Handicap closes Champions Day at Ascot and it is a big, wide-open handicap over the straight mile. Twenty runners go to post at 4.35pm for £200,000 guaranteed, with the ground good.

Gavriel and Scoville head the market at around 5/1, and I am siding with the Gosden three-year-old.

This is a tough race to solve, so let's start with the trends. Only one of the last nine favourites has won it, and every winner since 2017 has been rated between 96 and 105 and carried 9st 6lb or less. Three-year-olds have also taken nine places from 28 runners, and no eight-year-old has won it since 2017 (0 from 7).

Scoville is the other market leader. William Haggas's four-year-old is rated 99 and won a Doncaster mile handicap last time, 35 days ago. He is a fair price, but he tends to race keenly and he has a couple of the trends against him. Haggas runs three here, with last year's winner Crown Of Oaks (104) and Bullet Point also in the line-up.

GAVRIEL is my selection at around 5/1. John and Thady Gosden's three-year-old is rated 101 and gets in with just 9st 0lb on his back, so he fits the weight trend nicely. He was fourth in the Cambridgeshire last time in only his second handicap, and he is up just 2lb for it, which looks lenient to me.

He drops back to a mile here, which should suit, and he has already won over course and distance. He has been placed in two of his last three starts and Robert Havlin rides. The Gosden stable is in great form too, with eight winners from 38 runners over the last fortnight. Being drawn 18 is another positive.

Of the rest, Ebt's Guard is 12/1 and he dead-heated for second in this last year. William Muir and Chris Grassick's five-year-old is rated 102 and is the one I would want on my side in an each-way bet. Excellent Believe is a bigger price at around 16/1 and was third at the Curragh after finding trouble, so he could be well treated off 99.

Colori Forever is 12/1 with Ryan Moore on board for Marco Botti, while Hickory has won four of his 14 starts at Ascot but is eight, and the trend is against him. Persica is a Group 3 winner who is top weight on 10st 2lb.

I am happy to take 5/1 about GAVRIEL to win. With twenty runners the each-way terms are worth checking with your bookmaker, but I think he is the one to beat.

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Fillies & Mares Stakes Preview: Sparan Nua Can Deny Kalpana The Hat-Trick

2026-10-16T16:15:01+01:00

The British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes is the race for the girls on Champions Day at Ascot, and it looks a very strong renewal. Thirteen runners go to post at 2.40pm over a mile and a half for £500,000, on ground that is good.

Kalpana is a short-priced favourite at around 6/4 as she goes for a hat-trick in the race, but I think the three-year-old who nearly beat her last time is the one to be on at 8/1.

There is no doubt Kalpana is a very good filly. Andrew Balding's five-year-old won this race in 2024 and 2025 and she has also won the King George and the Yorkshire Oaks this year. She is the top-rated runner on 124 and she has won three of her six starts at Ascot, so it is no surprise that she is the one to beat.

My worry is the price. She was only fifth in the Arc two weeks ago. Balding said earlier this week that she would be given a gallop to see if she was ready to run, and she has only had a 13-day turnaround. I am quite happy to take her on at 6/4.

SPARAN NUA is my selection at 8/1. Jim Bolger's three-year-old is rated 118 and she receives 6lb from Kalpana here. She was beaten a short head by Kalpana in the Yorkshire Oaks, and Bolger has said he thought she ran close to a winning effort that day.

Her last run was a below-par one in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp, but Bolger has put that down to the ground, saying she did not handle the uphill finish into the straight. I am happy to forgive it. He thinks Ascot will suit her, and it is a very sound reason to think she can bounce back. Bolger is 84 and is leaving his Coolcullen base after 44 years, so a Group 1 win would be a great story.

Of the rest, Minnie Hauk was third in the Yorkshire Oaks and is 8/1 for Aidan O'Brien, while Lilt is 7/1 for William Haggas and Johanna Walsh is 10/1 after being well held behind Kalpana in the Yorkshire Oaks. Danielle is 12/1 for the Gosdens and See The Fire has been supplemented by Balding for her first try over a mile and a half.

I am happy to take 8/1 about SPARAN NUA to win. Kalpana is the one they all have to beat, but at 6/4 I do not think she has any margin for error, and I think my filly has the better price.

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Champions Sprint Preview: Division Can Take On Almeraq

2026-10-16T15:45:01+01:00

The British Champions Sprint Stakes is the race to kick off the big Group 1s on Champions Day at Ascot. Sixteen runners go to post at 2.05pm over six furlongs on ground that is good.

Almeraq is a short-priced favourite at around 6/5 and he is a deserved one, but I am not ready to give him the race on a plate. I think one of his stablemates is the one to be on at ten times the price.

It is easy to see why Almeraq is the one to beat. William Haggas's four-year-old is the top-rated sprinter in the field on 123 and he has won the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Cup at Haydock, where he put the race to bed by around four and a quarter lengths on very soft ground. He fell at York last year but he has bounced back brilliantly, and his trainer says he is in really good shape.

The one blot on the copybook this year is his run in the July Cup. His trainer has put that down to the draw, but it does mean he has a poor run on his record this season. At 6/5 in a 16-runner Group 1 I am happy to look elsewhere. The Haggas team have three runners in all, with Binhareer the other at 50/1.

DIVISION is my selection at 10/1. The three-year-old is also trained by Haggas and he is rated 117, which makes him one of the highest-rated of the three-year-olds. His form figures of 323524 are not eye-catching, but a lot of that has been down to bad luck. His connections have said he has been drawn on the wing again and again this year, and Haggas has warned against dismissing him on the bare form.

The main thing is that he wants good, fast ground, and that is what he is going to get at Ascot. James Doyle takes over in the saddle for Wathnan Racing and I think the booking is an interesting one. If he gets a better draw than he has done, I think he has a huge amount going for him at this price.

Of the rest, Samangan is another Group 1 winner after the Prix Maurice de Gheest and he is rated 118 for Francis-Henri Graffard. He is 11/1 and has to be respected. Kind Of Blue is the 2024 winner and is back on a high after a win at Kempton last time, while Coppull is also 10/1 and rated 115.

Paborus chased Almeraq home at Haydock and runs for the same Wathnan Racing team as Kind Of Blue and DIVISION, so it is a big day for the owners. I am happy to take 10/1 about DIVISION to win, as I think the favourite is a fraction too short.

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