Butty's Bets: Daily horse racing tips for Friday January 9th
Fri, 09 Jan 2026
Fri, 09 Jan 2026
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.
Let's see what he fancies today!
Gordon Elliott throws three entries into this race to complicate matters somewhat. He's attempting to win it for the second year running, having won five of the last nine renewals of what usually proves to be an informative affair in the long run with regard to the Cheltenham Festival.
Two of the last six winners of this race went on to win at the Festival on their next run, while a further two of those posted placed efforts at Prestbury Park.
Classical Creek has two wins from three runs under rules so far, with his sole defeat coming in a bumper race behind his high-class stable mate Kalypso'chance. He finished four lengths behind the winner on that occasion back in third place.
His sole hurdle run to date ended in success, sent off 4/9 favourite and duly winning with any amount in hand. He recorded an RPR of 139 in the process of beating Fillyoureye by eight lengths. Admittedly, the form is yet to work out, with the runner up running no race on his subsequent two outings.
However, I'd still say that RPR is eye-catching enough for a first run over obstacles and he replicates that level of performance, I'd have him bang there in this one today. He looks the pick of Elliott's three entries on all known form and the price is attractive enough.
First Confession remains a maiden after three runs over fences and now sits 2lbs below his opening chase mark.
He ran a cracker on chase debut when pitched into a competitive Class 3 handicap at Carlisle. He finished 10L behind the winner The Jukebox Kid back in 3rd place, with Grand Geste six lengths in front of him in second. He was giving 7lbs in weight to the winner and 19lbs in weight to the runner up that day – the latter of which franked the form next time out when taking the Tommy Whittle with ease.
The selection has posted two lesser efforts since. Next time out, he was sent off an EVS fav yet was beaten five lengths by the winner Chance Another One, coming home in third place. Then last time out, he was well beaten in a competitive class 3 handicap at Cheltenham.
This race looks significantly weaker. The drop in trip looks sure to suit and his trainer Joe Tizzard does very well at this venue with his runners. I think he can go well here at a decent price.
Spirits Bay has his second chase run here, carrying a lofty weight which is somewhat eased by his jockey's 5lb claim.
This looks easier than the race he contested on chase debut when finishing a well-beaten third of three. He jumped poorly that day and never looked comfortable, despite being sent off a 13/8 favourite.
He's yet to prove he can stay this far but is very much lightly-raced over this distance. He's also unbeaten at this course, having won both runs over hurdles at Exeter – the most recent of those wins being a competitive Class 4 handicap. Beating Donnacha just over 6L, that looks strong given the second is now a 132-rated chaser.
If you forgive the debut effort, going back right handed should suit much better here as his form figures going this way around read 12117. Even in that seventh place finish, he was only beaten 4L by the winner Go Dante. So at the prices, I'm happy to chance on a better showing.
There's another I like in the same race here.
For all I think Spirits Bay is the one to beat on form, Flash Gorcombe has shown a real liking for this course and distance. Plus, he runs off a feather weight here, which means he merits an investment in my opinion.
He's now down to a mark of 101, which is 2lbs below his last winning mark. That success came here, when he beat Joe Cotton in a hack canter with 16 lengths separating them at the line. Admittedly, that win came in a lesser grade than this (Class 4). But the runner up has done his bit for the form since, now rated 15lbs higher and placing off that higher mark on his most recent run in a similar affair to today's contest.
He has struggled since, with the handicapper hiking him up 9lbs clearly having anchored him. But now his mark has slidden, and returning to a course he knows well, I think he can go well off this feather weight.
1pt win- 1.43pm Naas - Classical Creek - 9/2 (various)
1pt win - 2:02pm Exeter - First Confession - 4/1 (various)
1pt win - 2:32pm Exeter - Spirits Bay - 7/1 (various)
1pt win - 2:32pm Exeter - Flash Gorcombe - 7/1 (various)
Total staked - 4pts
Prices correct as of 11:15am on Friday, January 9th 2026.
Lee Butterworth, better known as Butty's Bets to his followers on X, has gained a following on social media for his horse racing betting tips which have yielded a strong profit over a number of years.
Now, Lee has joined team Odds Now to offer insight and tips throughout the 2025-26 National Hunt racing season. His daily column will be the home for all fancies Monday to Friday, while you may also see him contributing elsewhere across the site.
Away from the racetrack, Lee is also a big Stockport County fan.
Lee Butterworth, better known as Butty's Bets to his followers on X, has gained a following on social media for his horse racing betting tips which have yielded a strong profit over a number of years.
Now, Lee has joined team Odds Now to offer insight and tips throughout the 2025-26 National Hunt racing season. His daily column will be the home for all fancies Monday to Friday, while you may also see him contributing elsewhere across the site.
Away from the racetrack, Lee is also a big Stockport County fan.
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