TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

13:25 Cheltenham

Hopefully we can get off to a good start in the first race on ITV in 2022, which is an intriguing Grade 2 Novices Chase. Regardless what does happen to today this race will no doubt throw up plenty winners for the rest of the season and perhaps a race to watch back a few times. Venetia Williams has really hit form of late and L’Homme Presse is going for a hat-trick and will no doubt be popular with the punters. He made it two from two over fences in great style at Ascot two weeks ago, where he came clear easily by 13 lengths and will no doubt be involved in the finish.

I will side with Millers Bank however, Alex Hales homebred has been a bit of legend for the stable in winning 5 of his 14 starts. He appeared to have a Grade 2 in the bag last time before unseating 2 out, he also is the best off at the weights in relation to the figures. If he can jump like he did on chasing debut when he won at Huntingdon, he should take a lot of beating.

MILLERS BANK (WIN)

written by Michael Taylor

13:40 Musselburgh

Strong Glance appears to have his own ideas about the game and often travels well before finding little when push comes to shove. His latest second when just failing to go past a game winner was preceded by him running out at Wincanton (Still travelling well) and an unseat the time before at the same venue. Clearly not one for the faint of heart, judged on his earlier form he really ought to be going close in this and is feared.

Geromino rattled off a hat-trick of victories before just running out of steam when upped in class at Doncaster last time, still unexposed there is every chance he will run well here once more though his mark is creeping up.

Voix Du Reve hasn't won over Hurdles since 2018 and has been beaten out of sight in his last couple of starts, however, this represents a significant drop in class and his mark would bring him right into things if recapturing his best. Proven at the course and with the market speaking in his favour, one would struggle to confidently suggest parting with any amount of cash for win purposes though he could well prove up to it.

Kavanaghs Cross is a model of consistency and he gained a richly deserved victory at Kelso last time after a string of near misses. Strictly speaking, the overall feeling with him is that he has been well placed though he is hard to dismiss out of hand.

Stoner's Choice is beginning to edge back down the weights and is entitled to go well but a chance will be taken on Voix Du Reve rewarding the each- way players at decent odds given the handicapper has cut him some slack and that he drops markedly in class.

VOIX DU REVE (E/W)

written by Chris Connolly

14:00 Cheltenham

A Grade three, ultra competitive two and a half mile chase.

If it’s horses for courses look no further than Coole Cody. Eight out of his last nine runs have been at Cheltenham and he rarely runs a bad race. He was a tenacious winner here last time from from the reopposing Zanza. He’s still feasibly handicapped and there’s no doubt he’ll be on the premises once more.

The aforementioned Zanza has been threatening to win a decent handicap for a while. He has a tendency to get a little behind and finish well. Maybe the application of cheek pieces will help him hold his position a little better.

Funambule Sivola is an improving seven year old who will relish this ground. However he has to prove himself over this longer trip and has to lump top weight around.

The value option will be Deyrann De Carjac each way. There was a lot to like about his latest start where he finished behind Coole Cody. He made a bad mistake that day which would have knocked the stuffing out of him, but he was still in contention two out and only weakened on the run in. On some of his back form, this horse is seriously well handicapped and is certainly each way value at a likely double figure price.

DEYRANN DE CARJAC (E/W)

written by Matt Polley

14:10 Musselburgh

One of the bigger races on Musselburgh New Year's Day card is a class 2 handicap hurdle.

Top weighted Tommy's Oscar goes in with a favourite chance but you have to be worried with the top weight and will need a career best to grab the Hattrick to win today. Certainly, one to be taken on today i feel.

First Impression is another in form having won a couple of races back at Wetherby. Has a 7-pound rise to deal with and another that would need a career best to win today.

An each way angle is Fiveandtwenty who has had a wind op but certainly likes it around here and is unbeaten 3 in 3 here at course and distance. Brian Hughes seems to like it around here with a five timer and a treble already this season. Which would suggest a big run is expected around here.

My selection though is Christopher Wood for Paul Nicholls. Usually has runners up here for this New Year's Day meet (Has 3 runners) and usually doesn't go away without a winner at least at this course. Christopher Wood will certainly prefer these softer conditions at Musselburgh as majority of his wins have come on soft conditions. Also clearly has a liking for this track and he is 2 from 2 up Musselburgh.

You could argue that he may have needed his 2 runs this season and on ground that wouldn't necessarily have suited Christopher Wood. Angus Cheleda takes a handy 5 pounds of Christopher Wood which seems a bit of a gift to be honest for a Paul Nicholls horse who has won a class 2 before.

Paul Nicholls certainly knows how to plot / target or pot hunt whatever you want to call it for horses for specific races and in my mind, this looks one to me with £15,000 on offer for the winner.

CHRISTOPHER WOOD (WIN)

written by Luke Tucker

14:20 Tramore

This Grade 3 event has proved a stepping stone to the Gold Cup for Al Boum Photo(4/11) for the past three seasons and there is no reason to oppose him from landing the four-timer. The two-time Gold Cup winner lost his crown last season but there was no disgrace in that run, he’s twelve pounds clear of his closest rival on ratings and just wins! It’s a bit of a farce of a race with Willie Mullins responsible for five of the six runners, with Hardline(9/1) completing the lineup for Gordon Elliott.

Acapella Bourgeois(12/1) was 19 lengths behind the selection a year ago but did land a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse afterward and although he’s returning from a break, I think he’s the one to fill the forecast.

AL BOUM PHOTO (WIN)

written by Peter Keogh

14:35 Cheltenham

Considering he's double handed trainer Fegal O'Brien deserves a tonne of respect as he sends out both Art Approval and Ask Dillon, both of which couldn't be discounted all that readily based on their most current form.

The likes of the Philip Hobbs trained favourite Pileon may have won last time out but seems to be lacking the make up to compete at this level.

Although he's been tried over the larger obstacles Spiritofthegames has always threated to go well and now looking to be on a very attractive mark back over the smaller obstacles looks generously priced for punters seeking an each way angle.

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock

14:50 Musselburgh The in-form Paul Nicholls team will saddle the likely favourite in this race with Amour De Nuit. While he is a veteran who has been running quite well as of late, he isn’t looking especially well handicapped as of late albeit he travels a long way for this race. Gold Des Bois has been very unlucky not to have recorded a win, filling up the runner up spot on all his first three starts for Iain Jardine. This step up in distance is worth a go for him but it’s not certain to have a positive effect. Gaelic Coast would be a much better alternative. A two time course and distance winner who is still improving and runs for a Donald McCain team who are on fire at the moment. He can defy top weight to take this contest with his main rivals having a lot to prove at present. GAELIC COAST (WIN)

written by Tom Bates

15:10 Cheltenham

McFabulous won this race last year and he has a nice record coming off a break. He’s still rated highly, despite a slightly disappointing end to the season. However, he’s coming back from a wind operation and he’s had a delayed start to this season, after suffering a cracked vertebrae from a fall at Ditcheat. It might be a tall order for him to win, given said events.

Brewin’upastorm is McFabulous’ long standing rival and off the back of his victorious Aintree reappearance, he’s the favourite for this race. He gave a lot of weight away that day and should have no qualms about the ground and distance. The only possible concern could be that he might feel the bounce effect from his first run after wind surgery. Nevertheless, he warrants favouritism.

Stormy Island won a competitive Mares Grade One last season and wasn’t entirely disgraced, on her comeback, when beaten by Honeysuckle in the Hatton’s Grace. Like the latter, she will have no qualms about the ground and distance, plus Willie Mullins is in fantastic form, as is King George conqueror Danny! If she can find her best form, she could spring a surprise, especially in receipt of 7 lbs from others at the top end of the betting.

STORMY ISLAND (WIN)

written by Kieran McHugh