Horse Racing Tips: Star to shine at Tramore on New Year’s Day

New Year's Day is one of the busier racing days in the calendar and there are nine meetings down to take place across the UK and Ireland on Wednesday.

We've picked out three horse racing tips for what promises to be a New Year's Day feast of action.

13:45 Musselburgh - Sweet Fantasy @ 2/1

Some decent fare comes from Musselburgh including the Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle over just shy of two-and-a-half-miles. Benson is attempting to win this race for a third year running for Sandy Thomson but the 10-year-old is out of form and perhaps vulnerable.

Trainer James Owen saddles the lightly-raced mare SWEET FANTASY. The daughter of Wootton Bassett was useful on the Flat for Ralph Beckett (rated 87) and won her first two over hurdles for this yard at Plumpton and Catterick in the early months of 2024.

She was well held in a Listed race at Wetherby on her comeback in November but caught the eye, staying on to be beaten around six-lengths at Cheltenham (2m4½f, good to soft) last time.

She attempted to come from a long way off the pace and is entitled to progress at this trip, and she's effectively 7lb lower now accounting for Alex Chadwick's claim.

14:05 Cheltenham - Springwell Bay @ 11/4

There's more than £56k on offer for the winner of this Premier Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and the December Gold Cup hero Gemirande will be aiming to follow up for Venetia Williams.

He's 8lb higher now and SPRINGWELL BAY is a rival of some potential substance for Jonjo, AJ & Jonjo O' Neill Jr.

He won on chasing bow at Chepstow in October over this sort of trip and has since shaped well in defeat since here at 3m½f then over this trip.

He only found Jango Baie too good last time, a promising newcomer over fences for Nicky Henderson, and there was no shame in that as he was conceding 8lb to the winner. This opening mark of 145 looks exploitable.

Betfred are offering your stake back (up to £10) as a free bet if your selection in this race finishes 2nd.

44
14:15 Tramore - Monty's Star @ 4/5

The Grade 3 Chase on the Tramore card has been used as a springboard for some excellent horses in recent times.

Willie Mullins started the trend when Al Boum Photo won this contest in 2019, going on to become a dual winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and landing four straight renewals of this event.

Henry De Bromhead won it with his own Gold Cup hero Minella Indo in 2023 and, last time, the Knockeen handler scored with Jungle Boogie.

Despite four contenders for Mullins now, De Bromhead could hold the key again with MONTY'S STAR.

The Walk In The Park gelding won over three-miles at Punchestown on New Year's Eve 2023 and ran well in his other three starts, finishing second to Fact To File at Cheltenham in March and then Spillane's Tower at Punchestown in April.

He goes well fresh and still should have more to offer in the staying chase sphere. He isn't far off being good enough to land this as he is and gets weight from the likes of Capodanno and Embassy Gardens. Rachael Blackmore rides and they can pick up this prize en route to better things.

Click the links to find the latest Horse Racing Odds and Today's Horse Races

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights