The Mandarin’s & Caroline’s New Year’s Day Selections for January 1st 2026

The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Selections & Caroline’s Selections from Tramore & Fairyhouse for Thursday January 1st

Cheltenham

Cheltenham Bloodstock Club Maiden Hurdle 12.15
Just Golden
I think that this Maiden can go to Dan Skelton’s Just Golden, who will likely improve for the exacting demands of Cheltenham. That’s likely to put the emphasis on stamina over pace, so although there’s not an awful lot to choose between Kim Bailey’s Step Ahead and Harry Derham’s Kiwi Rush on previous form, I’ll stick with the Just Golden for the in-form Skelton team.

Ellenborough Park Hotel ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase 12.50
Regent’s Stroll
Highly rated as a novice hurdler, Paul Nicholls’ Regent’s Stroll looks to be making an even better chaser this campaign. I suppose that sounds quite a claim seeing as he was second to Honesty Policy in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in the Spring, and only beat one home in a match at Wincanton when losing the maiden tag over fences, but he did that in good style against a decent opponent in Jeriko Du Reponet, and I’ll bet there’s plenty more to come from the Ditcheat yard that’s in good form. Califet En Vol rates the biggest danger, but was a long way behind Sixmilebridge here three weeks back, so Regent’s Stroll looks the one to follow.

Betfair Handicap Chase 1.25
Jasmin De Grugy
Anthony Honeyball’s Jasmin De Grugy could be worth a tickle for this Handicap Chase, though there’ll be plenty of support for Sam Thomas’s Katate Dori. Progressive last season, Jasmin De Grugy did look in need of the run at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance, but with that out of the way there is every chance he can come on again, and getting weight from Does He Know and Shannon Royale gives Jasmin De Grugy a top chance. Conditions are fine, and with Shannon Royale likely to push the pace, Rex Dingle can smuggle Jasmin De Grugy into the race late on to scoop the prize.

Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2.00
Twinjets
I’m finding it hard to look past Paul Nicholls’ Twinjets for this Premier Handicap, though this hat-trick bid is being made from 7lbs higher, which asks a question. However, there is nothing like current form in my book, so I’m happy to take the risk that he’s not yet in the grip on the Handicapper, given that he beat a couple of useful types in Heltenham and Telepathique last time out at Newbury, and with Harry Cobden up top, and conditions fine, I’m seeing plenty of boxes ticked. Faye Bramley’s Glengouly won here last time out, and won’t be going off at long double figure odds again, but Twinjets should have too much horsepower and score again.

Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) 2.35
Lucky Place (nb)
Last year’s winner Lucky Place looks the one to follow here, despite Dan Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan likely to go off as a short odds on favourite. I do see that Kabral Du Mathan is getting weight from both Lucky Place and last year’s second Gowel Road, but they are both proven at this level and must make any shortlist. Although second in a match to Jig’s Forge at Newbury just two weeks ago, there was no disgrace in going down one and a half lengths to Ben Pauling’s charge, considering the outstanding form of the Naunton Downs handler, and I’ll take Lucky Place to defend the crown here.

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle 3.10
Ace Of Spades
Again, I’ll take a chance on a Dan & Harry Skelton combination for this Handicap Hurdle. Suited by this good going, it’s quite possible that Ace Of Spades could prove to be the one to hold in your hand over staying trips, and it will be the pace in the ground that will determine the outcome of this race, with the useful Ma Shantou sure to bounce back from an underwhelming run at Haydock Park last time out when the tacky going clearly didn’t suit. Neil Mulholland’s Double Powerful completes the shortlist, but Harry knows how to get these races won, so Ace Of Spades is my winning card!

18-24 Get Your Racepass ‘Junior’ National Hunt Flat Race (Listed) 3.40
Molly’s Lad
A fascinating Bumper to finish the New Year’s Day card, but my money’s on Molly’s Lad. Fergal O’Brien’s charge showed plenty for pressure in the last furlong or so at Aintree back in November, when the race had already been put to bed by Jane Williams Merlin Allen, but on this more demanding track, stamina will be to the fore, so I will take Molly’s Lad to go a lot closer. James Owen is a young trainer going places fast, so Solly’s Gold is one to note, but I can’t get away from Molly’s Lad for this Listed contest.

Tramore

O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey New Year’s Day Chase (Grade 3) 2.25
Champ Kiely (nap)
I’m finding this a really interesting race for Tramore’s feature, and I’m thinking that this course is going to suit Willie Mullins’ Champ Kiely more than Henry de Bromhead’s Heart Wood. Now, Heart Wood has been made favourite for this, but I’m leaning towards Champ Kiely, who of course got no further that the far side of the fourth fence on Saturday, when clipping heels and slipping to end his chances in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown. However, that was a Grade One, so Champ Kiely’s sights are lowered here, and I’m of the opinion if he’s no worse for that slip incident, he’s fully race-fit for this Grade 3. Round and round they go at Tramore, which for me is a track that Champ Kiely will handle better that Heart Wood, so that’s my pick!

Fairyhouse

YellowFord & Drumlin John & Chich Fowler Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase (Grade 3) 2.45
Dinoblue
Well, back against Dinoblue here at your peril, as she’s the class act of this field and I’m as sure as a gun she should be winning this! After a seasonal reappearance in the Fortria Chase at Navan, where I did think she was the one to beat but couldn’t live with Found A Fifty from Gordon Elliott’s in-form yard, this should prove a bit easier against just the mares. Gavin Cromwell’s Bioluminescence looks the best of the rest, but that stable isn’t just there yet, so this is Dinoblue’s to lose!

Grimes Estate Agents Beginners Chase 3.15
Kaid D’authie
Mark Walsh takes over on Kaid D’authie, who was second to Kitzbuhel on his first start over fences the last day, and can come on for that here. That form has been well franked with Kitzbuhel going on to win the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, and I do think that this track and this ground will suit the selection. Gordon Elliott’s Wingmen has to make my list, given the yard form ,while of the other Mullins runners, Joystick can figure, but it’s Kaid D’authie for me for the win.