Daily expert horse racing betting tips - Friday December 19th 2025

Lee Butterworth (@ButtysBets on X) is back to offer his daily betting selections from the National Hunt sphere right here on OddsNow.com.

Lee flags up anything that takes his eye each weekday morning, with all stakes tracked for P/L purposes.

After banging in two winners from two picks on Wednesday, let's see what Lee fancies today...

Butty's Bets - horse racing tips for Friday December 19th 2025

1.50pm Ascot - Vanderpoel - 9/2 (various)

Vanderpoel has his third chase run this time, with the ground more likely to be in his favour than it has been the last twice.

This is a trappy little race, admittedly, and a competitive race also. But despite still being a maiden in two chase runs. I feel the selection has been set some stiff tasks on ground that doesn't suit.

He bumped into Lump Sum and Jax Junior on chase debut, finishing a fair but well beaten third behind those two. He jumped poorly there and conditions were clearly not to suit.

He ran a much better race last time out though, when a clear second to Noble Park (2pts winner for this column). To be fair, he stood little chance on those terms, having to give a stone to a horse who is now 2/2 over fences was always going to be a stiff task.

Dropping back in trip today, this former point-to-point winner looks set to thrive in this sphere with time. He's also won both runs going right handed, which can only help with an occasional tendency to jump left. At the prices, he's the one to be with here for me.

3.00pm Ascot - No Questions Asked - 6/4 (various)

No Questions Asked is a fairly warm order here. Rightly so given the form of his last run.

He's only had the two chase outings to date, with his RPR already improving a stone for the switch from hurdles to fences. There should be plenty more still to come, too.

He won first time up over the larger obstacles over this course and distance. Admittedly, it was only a three-runner affair, but he was giving the best part of a stone to the 4/5 fav Viroflay and absolutely hammered him.

He then ran even better in defeat last time out when pitched into this grade. He was well backed, sent off a 5/1 shot having opened at a double-figure price and ran a cracker behind the high class winner Wendigo. Beaten just two lengths by the winner in the end, with the well thought of Regents Stroll a further four lengths adrift in third place.

For me, that is the standout form in this field. Regents Stroll has won since also, even if it was a farcical two runner race. He's clearly well thought of and I think this lad has got even more to give. This race doesn't look deep for the grade and given he loves this track, a repeat of anything like his last run should be enough to get home in front today.

Butty's best horse racing bets for Friday December 19th 2025

1pt win- 1.50pm Ascot - Vanderpoel - 9/2 (various)

2pt win - No Questions Asked - 6/4 (various)

Total staked - 3pts

Prices correct as of 12.30pm on Friday, December 18th 2025.