HARRY SKELTON: New Year’s Day

Happy New Year in advance to all readers and I hope 2026 is a lucky year for everyone, writes HARRY SKELTON.

We’ve a whole host of runners on New Year’s Day and I’ll be heading to Cheltenham for five rides, while we also send horses to Exeter, Windsor and Catterick. Hopefully they can all run with credit and there are a few winners amongst them.

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CHELTENHAM

NEW YEAR’S DAY

JUST GOLDEN – 12:15pm Cheltenham

He has two nice runs over hurdles to his name, and ran well last time out at Newcastle. That was a tactical race and I think he got caught a bit flat-footed, with the front two getting first run on him. He stayed on well to the line there, so I think the more galloping track at Cheltenham will benefit him. He’s a nice horse and hopefully he can go well.

RISKINTHEGROUND – 2:00pm Cheltenham

He’s in good form and comes here fresh and well. The good ground will be ideal for him and having won at the track before, he has lots in his favour. He’s higher in the handicap now but he’s still running well, finishing ninth behind Panic Attack at Newbury last time. We’d be delighted if he can pick up some of the good prize money on offer here.

KABRAL DU MATHAN – 2:35pm Cheltenham

He was an impressive winner for us first time out at Haydock over two-miles-three-furlongs. This is a step up out of handicaps and into Graded company for him, but he looks very progressive. Two-and-a-half miles around this track should suit him well, and on the evidence we’ve seen this season, it looks like he’s the one they have to beat.

ACE OF SPADES – 3:10pm Cheltenham

It was a good performance from him first time out, when he battled on gamely to win at Aintree. He then ran well again when fourth over three miles at Haydock last time in a really competitive handicap, and it looks like he stays this trip pretty well now. He’s won on the Old Course at Cheltenham and I think the New Course will be fine for him too. He should be very competitive.

CREST OF ARMS – 3:40pm Cheltenham

I ride Crest Of Arms for Anthony Honeyball in the bumper. He got a run under his belt at Wincanton in November and looked to perform with some credit. Anthony always has a good record in bumpers and it’s nice to pick up a spare ride.

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EXETER – ABANDONED

NEW YEAR’S DAY

GAMBINO – 1:45pm Exeter

He’s got to take on a highly rated rival in Sober Glory on his hurdles debut. He looks like he’s got some quite good form to his name on the Flat and he has been schooling nicely, so hopefully he can run well and get his season off to a nice start. We’re not expecting to beat Sober Glory but hopefully he can come good later in the spring.

BIG JOHN OLLIE – 4:00pm Exeter

He made his debut at Ffos Las in October and ran nicely to finish third. This track will suit him as he looks a strong stayer. He’s a proper staying chaser in the making, but hopefully he can show some more promise here.

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WINDSOR

NEW YEAR’S DAY

DELTA BLUES BELLE – 11:49am Windsor

This is her first run in a handicap after showing a bit of okay form in novice hurdles. With more experience under her belt she will improve further and heading into the spring hopefully she will come into her own. We’d like her to show a bit of promise here first.

LISTENTOYOURHEART – 2:50pm Windsor

She was perhaps a little bit disappointing at Plumpton last time, but her two runs this season haven’t been bad efforts. She’s in good form and looks nicely weighted here, so she will have a chance and it would be great to pick up some of the valuable prize money on offer.

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CATTERICK

NEW YEAR’S DAY

IN THE AGE – 12:20pm Catterick

He runs in the two-and-a-half-mile novices’ hurdle with Harry Atkins taking seven pounds off his back. This looks a nice opportunity for him and hopefully he can get his head in front.

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