Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on New Year's Day including Cheltenham fancies

• Katie Midwinter has selections across the cards on a busy New Year's Day

• Fancies at the first Cheltenham meeting of 2026

• A couple to consider at Tramore including Willie Mullins-trained runner

Cheltenham, 12:50 - Back Regent's Stroll @ SP

Regent's Stroll should prove tough to beat for Paul Nicholls in this extended two-and-a-half-mile contest. He's the joint-highest rated in the field, along with Irish-raider Eagle Fang, but has the scope for plenty of further progression in only his third start over fences.

The dual bumper winner, who made a winning start over obstacles at Newbury after fetching £660,000 at the Goffs UK Summer sale in 2024, was no match for The New Lion in last season's Challow Hurdle, the form of which was significantly franked, but fared better in his subsequent Grade One assignment when half-a-length second to Honesty Policy at Aintree. 

Third on chasing debut to Wendigo, Regent's Stroll beat Jeriko Du Reponet in a match when last seen at Wincanton, getting off the mark as a chaser, jumping well. The son of Walk In The Park remains a horse with potential, who should be capable of making his presence felt in this field. He's a classy type and holds leading claims under Harry Cobden.

Windsor, 12:59 - Back Looking As You Are @ 5/16.00

Likeable mare Looking As You Are has run well in defeat in two appearances so far this term, bumping into some better handicapped rivals.

On her seasonal reappearance at Market Rasen in November, she was beaten only by White Noise, a subsequent winner who defied a 10lb rise at Newbury this week, with Just Her Type, a winner at Southwell since, in third. She then faced a stiff test against progressive mare Sunset Marquesa when upped in class at Sandown, as well as 124-rated Shantwopointfive, but emerged with some credit in third.

Back in calmer waters, Looking As You Are should fare better and can hold her own in this company. This intermediate distance seems to be her optimum, suiting well, and the sounder surface shouldn't be any concern.

There's plenty of upside to the Alex Hales-trained mare's chances in this handicap from a mark of 115. She's only 3lb higher than her previous win in a higher class race and has Jamie Brace aboard taking 5lb off her racing weight.

Cheltenham, 13:25 - Back Inch House E/W @ 9/110.00

In the Betfair Handicap Chase on New Year's Day, an extended 3m1f contest, Paul Nicholls-trained Inch House makes the most appeal at the weights and should have conditions to suit perfectly as he bids to return to some form following a frustrating couple of years. He showed on his penultimate start here that he still retains some ability, running well for a long way before tiring, finishing sixth behind Three Card Brag at The Showcase Meeting.

That was his return to action following two pulled up efforts and a 301-day break, and, although he couldn't build on the promising outing in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, he remains a horse to note from a lenient mark of 129.

Two years ago, the gelding managed to finish a five-length second to Stumptown in this contest when on an 8lb higher mark of 137. He has run well at the course previously and the sounder surface will suit as he bids for a fourth career win and a return to the winners' enclosure for the first time in over two years.

All of his three wins under Rules to date have been on ground with good in the description, therefore, with conditions to suit, the yard in good form, and from a workable weight, there's plenty in Inch House's favour, putting him in with solid claims under Harry Cobden.

Musselburgh, 13:40 - Back Moonbow @ 4/15.00

Spanish Moon gelding Moonbow has been in great form in recent months, winning three of his previous five races and rising 16lb from his opening mark of 110.

In his latest run at Aintree, the Patrick Neville-trained contender proved his capabilities from a rating of 126 when chasing home Ace Of Spades, who subsequently finished fourth to Electric Mason in the valuable handicap hurdle on Betfair Chase Day, with subsequent winner Serious Operator in third.

Moonbow has shaped with plenty of potential so far in his career, particularly at Perth, and there could be further improvement to come from him in only his seventh start over hurdles.

Brian Hughes takes the ride as he bids to continue his good form for the yard, currently performing at a 30 percent strike-rate when partnering their runners this term, with an all-time win percentage of 27 percent.

There's plenty in favour of Moonbow as he attempts to continue his rich vein of form and show further progression to land a fifth career victory in this two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Cheltenham, 14:00 - Back Il Ridoto E/W @ 5/16.00

Likeable course-and-distance winner Il Ridoto must bounce back from his latest few efforts at the track, but has plenty of valuable course experience in his favour and carries a low weight from a mark of 139 with 7lb claiming Freddie Keighley in the plate.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup from a 3lb higher mark last season, and, although unable to add to that success since, remains a horse worthy of consideration, particularly from his current rating.

Should he be able to get into a good rhythm for the in-form yard, Il Ridoto possesses the ability to pose a dangerous threat. He is a classy and tough performer on his day, and has conditions to perfectly suit here, with the quicker surface firmly in his favour.

Tramore, 14:25 - Back Ile Atlantique E/W @ 11/112.00

Willie Mullins saddles four runners in the Grade Three feature at Tramore, won previously on four occasions by Al Boum Photo and most recently by fellow Closutton representative Embassy Gardens. Ile Atlantique is the third likeliest winner according to the market, but may be overlooked under Sean O'Keeffe considering he's a lightly raced, unexposed gelding, who is yet to show the best of his ability.

The eight-year-old, who won at Auteuil before switching to Ireland, made a successful start in a Leopardstown bumper before being denied a head by subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Stellar Story at Naas, when four-lengths ahead of third-placed Caldwell Potter. He was then narrowly beaten by Firefox at Fairyhouse, before landing his maiden hurdle by 19-lengths at Gowran Park.

Upped to Grade One level in only his second hurdling start, sent off as the 6/42.50 favourite in the Lawlor's Of Naas, Ile Atlantique found only 16/117.00 stablemate Readin Tommy Wrong too good on the day, emerging with credit on the step up in trip.

Unable to build on that effort over timber, Ile Atlantique made a promising start as a chaser, winning his first two runs over fences which included a five-length defeat of Firefox in a Naas Grade Two a year ago. He has failed to complete twice since, unseating at Fairyhouse and falling at Punchestown, and made a bad mistake late on in his latest start. He may improve for his return to action when last seen, however, and is capable of holding his own at this level having won in a higher Grade previously. 

The gelding faces stiff opposition and has a bit to find on ratings, but is capable of showing further progression having had little luck since his previous win.

Windsor, 14:50 - Back Stream Of Stars E/W @ 9/110.00

Representing the training partnership of Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, Stream Of Stars holds strong each-way claims on the back of a promising run of form having recorded form figures of 3421322 during 2025.

The 11-year-old, who makes only his 20th start having spent a long period of time off track earlier in his career, is on a workable mark of 130 under 5lb claimer James Turner, putting him in with solid claims at the weights on the back of a creditable second to Bear Market. He was able to outrun his odds of 16/117.00 to finish second to Goodwin at Plumpton in his penultimate start, on the back of a third-placed effort to American Land, and is 8lb higher than his latest success.

In April, Stream Of Stars finished second to Indeevar Bleu in a Ffos Las handicap. The winner is now rated 18lb higher on a rating of 138 having placed behind Tutti Quanti at Newbury, and following a recent five-and-a-half-length win at Aintree.

There's substance to Stream Of Stars' form and he has been able to defy a big price to place in the past. He shouldn't be overlooked in this contest, in with a solid chance if can continue his good run of form.

Tramore, 15:00 - Back Cappucino @ 6/17.00

Likeable gelding Cappucino is one to note for Liz Doyle, making plenty of appeal in this contest under Sean Flanagan. He put in a creditable effort when beaten only four-lengths by Luminous Light in his second chasing start, before being brought down early when last seen, and is entitled to show further improvement over the larger obstacles as he gains experience.

The lightly raced gelding appeared well treated from a rating of 120 in handicap hurdles last term, but couldn't strike following his maiden win over The Mediator at Punchestown. He remains a horse with potential, however, and should be able to pose a dangerous threat in this chasing contest.

Cheltenham, 15:10 - Back Spike Jones E/W @ 17/29.50

Samuel Drinkwater-trained Spike Jones performed with great credit when only narrowly denied by Titan Discovery at this track last month, outrunning his odds of 14/115.00 to make the frame on that occasion. He's up 2lb to a mark of 118, with 7lb claiming Benjamin Macey aboard once again, and should be capable of at least matching his latest effort.

The nine-year-old emerged with great credit in his opening run of this current campaign, running Ikarak close to within a nose. The winner is a likeable type who remains capable of showing further improvement and could pick up a nice prize this season.

With course form in his favour and considering he's in good form currently, Spike Jones makes the most appeal and may be able to add to his five career successes.

Southwell, 16:50 - Back Popmaster @ 4/15.00

There's little between the three main market principles on recent Chelmsford form, with Blue Rc just coming out on top of the trio in second. Popmaster, making his first start following a 176-day break, finished the eventual fourth, but he could be able to reverse form with the aforementioned Blue Rc as well as Two Tempting with the benefit of a recent run on his side. 

The experienced eight-year-old, who made his 50th appearance in his latest start, is on a handy mark from a rating of 94. His latest win came in Listed company, but he has been able to be competitive from a much higher mark than his current rating in handicaps, including when denied only a nose in the Challenge Cup at Ascot from 12lbs higher, and when just beaten by Roi De France at Kempton when a 22/123.00 chance.

The Ed Walker-trained contender has been seen in Group company since his last win too, featuring in races such as the Hungerford Stakes won by Tiber Flow. He also finished third at Listed level to the sadly ill-fated subsequent Group Two winning Poker Face, and was fourth to Hickory in the Victoria Cup at Ascot earlier this term.

A likeable horse on a dangerous mark, Popmaster has plenty in his favour as he bids to return to winning ways under Billy Loughnane, and could be tough to beat if taking a step forward from his return to action.

Newcastle, 17:05 - Back Yellow Lemons E/W @ 18/119.00

Five-year-old mare Yellow Lemons has been in the track for a few months and came within a length-and-a-quarter of finally shedding her maiden tag over this course-and-distance in October.

Since, she has caught the eye in defeat on a couple of occasions, including when staying on well in her latest start, and, with a more favourable beginning, could be able to land a first career success.

Despite being an 18-race maiden, the daughter of Siyouni has been able to pose some threat on occasion and shouldn't be discounted under Greg Fairley. Trained by Katie Scott, it could prove worth keeping the faith in Yellow Lemons, who has plenty of course experience in her favour and is on a low weight.

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!