Daily expert horse racing betting tips - Thursday January 1st 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.

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

Butty's Bets - horse racing tips for Thursday January 1st 2026

1.25pm Cheltenham - Herakles Westwood - 4/1 (various)

The handicapper has been most kind in dropping Herakles Westwood 1lb for his last run, which actually resulted in a career-best run despite only finishing fourth.

He drops in trip and grade this time, having ran a cracker on the new course here over slightly further last time out. Outpaced early, he ran on well and was beaten just five lengths in the end by the winner Blaze The Way. He had the likes of L'homme Presse (2nd), The Short Go (3rd), The Doyen Chief (5th), King Turgeon (6th), Gowel Road (7th) and Henry's Friend (8th) to compete with that day – all useful horses in their own right.

I believe this horse is going the right way and remains unexposed. Admittedly, he's still 11lbs above his last winning mark. But has been putting in career best efforts in defeat since then. Plus, the horse he beat on that occasion (Deafening Silence) franked the form by winning next time out. This season, that horse has gone on to place in Rehearsal Chase and Welsh National off a mark of 132.

I think he's the one to beat here with James Bowen climbing back in the saddle. He's been doing the steering for three of this lad's career victories, including that defeat of Deafening Silence.

2:00pm Cheltenham - Just Over Land - 17/2 (various)

Just Over Land is a rapidly improving chaser who is moving up in grade into a deep looking handicap. He's out of the weights here and the lowest-rated runner in the field, carrying just 10st2lbs. Then the jockey takes off a further 7lbs with his claim.

He's only had seven chase runs to date. He didn't manage to get his head in front in five runs over fences last term. His form stands up though, with the most notable being when he bumped into Booster Bob on chase debut at Ffos Las. He was only beaten two lengths by the winner that day back in second place. For context, the aforementioned is now 3/6 over fences. He won a strong handicap off a mark of 132 last time out, so is clearly still improving too.

He's had two runs this season, winning both starts so far this campaign. The most recent win was the pick of the two wins. He got up to beat Ben Solo by a narrow margin with Lunar Discovery a further 6L away in third place. The latter won a Class 2 handicap next time out easily, franking the form. Also the 33L fourth, Happy and Fine, won easily next time out when landing a handicap off top weight off a mark of 119.

The handicapper has taken a fair swing at him but it is fully justified given the context of his overall form. Off this type of weight, I think he could well take the step up in grade in his stride and continue to improve.

2:09pm Windsor - Mister Cessna - 15/2 (various)

The handicapper has dropped Mister Cesssna 1lb for the last run, which in fairness, I think is a bonus given the horse he bumped into looked miles ahead of his mark despite running poorly next time out.

The selection sits just 4lbs above the mark he defied to win on British chase debut/seasonal reappearence back in October. He won with any amount in hand, beating Koapey by five lengths. He could have won by further if needed, too.

He then ran just as well in defeat last time out. He made a few mistakes, making matters even easier for the runaway winner Excelero. Notably that's the third time he's run below his best on an undulating track. So perhaps the track just didn't suit.

He moves up in distance this time. Back on a flat track, on which his form figures read PU211. So this track should suit. If he can see out this extra distance, he's still got room for manoeuvre off this type of mark. This is the trainer's sole runner at this meeting today and the yard do not send many runners here at all – perhaps a clue in itself.

2:15pm Musselburgh - Insurrection - 5/1 (various)

Insurrection makes his belated seasonal reappearence here, sitting 5lbs above his last winning mark.

He ran a belter on his first outing last term, making his chase debut at Chepstow. He finished a close up second behind the since ill-fated Springwell Bay, with Boombawn just in behind him back in third place. The latter came out and won the Rising Star Novices Chase next time out

The selection's sole chase win come over this course and distance, off a 5lbs lower mark than this. He absolutely bolted up there, beating Asta La Pasta 15L with Alien Storm beaten 53 lengths back in third place. The latter has won twice this season, with the most recent success coming off a mark of 125. The former won two runs later also.

If he's fit enough to do himself justice here, he'd have leading claims based on that course and distance romp. His trainer boasts an impressive 12 winners from just 34 chase runners at this course and this is the yard's sole chase runner here today.

3:40pm Cheltenham - Molly's Lad - 6/1 (various)

Molly's Lad was pitched into a competitive looking bumper at Aintree on debut at the beginning of last month. He was well supported in the market, there sent off 10/3 second favourite. He just bumped into one that day, finishing second behind Merlin Allen. Beaten eight lengths albeit. But to be fair, I felt he ran a cracker. Looked clueless, ran keenly and when the penny finally dropped, he stayed on nicely to chase home the winner, who was already away and gone.

This race is obviously deeper affair. The favourite comes into this defending an unbeaten record also, to complicate matters. But this lad recorded a higher RPR in defeat than the winner recorded in victory.

At the prices. I'd have to side with this fella. Add in the fact the trainer is profitable to follow blindly with bumper runners at this track (LSP +35.38 if you backed them all to SP). He's worth chancing here in this wide open race.

Butty's best horse racing bets for Thursday January 1st 2026

1pt win- 1.25pm Cheltenham - Herakles Westwood - 4/1 (various)

1pt win - 2:00pm Cheltenham - Just Over Land - 17/2 (various)

2pt win - 2:09pm Windsor - Mister Cessna - 15/2 (various)

1pt win - 2:15pm Musselburgh - Insurrection - 5/1 (various)

1pt win - 3:40pm Cheltenham - Molly's Lad - 6/1 (various)

Total staked - 6pts

Prices correct as of 12:30pm on Thursday, January 1st 2026.