Daily expert horse racing betting tips - Wednesday January 14th 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!

Butty's Bets - horse racing tips for Wednesday January 14th 2026

2.05pm Newbury - Top Target - 7/2 (Various)

Top Target has been the victim of a 3lbs rise in the weights from the handicapper despite not finishing his race off last time out. It's hard to argue though, given he had pulled well clear with the eventual winner Silver Thorn before falling at the final fence.

This fella proved to be a useful horse over hurdles – boasting form figures of 2124 – before encountering a long-term injury, which kept him off the track for 754 days.

He split two decent horses on hurdling debut, with Rogel Pol (won off 125 lto) two lengths in front of him, and the since ill-fated Cuthbert Dibble (ran up to a mark of 140 until being fatally injured on track) in behind. The novice hurdle he won at Wetherby was also a fair race for the level. He won with any amount in hand there, beating Solar Sovereign just under four lenghts with the likes of Curley Finger (seven-length third) , Goshhowposh (nine-length fourth) and Regarde (27-length sixth) all beaten off in behind – all useful horses in their own right.

Two chase runs since that long lay-off have proved he retains his ability. On debut over the large obstacles, he finished a close-up third to Pep Talking. Given the length of time off, the trip being shorter than ideal and on quicker ground than preferred, that was a stellar effort – particularly when giving 12lbs away to the winner.

Then, as previously mentioned, he was unlucky last time out when coming down at the last. The front two were well clear and Silver Thorn, who went on to win, won by two lengths next time out despite being hiked up 6lbs.

That makes me think the 3lbs rise here is very manageable and providing the fall hasn't dented confidence too much, I think he can take this race today.

READ MORE: Punting Corner – Two corners betting tips for Wednesday night

2:15pm Fairyhouse - Western Diego - 4/1 (various)

Western Diego has been raised 2lbs for a solid run over course and distance last time out, with Brian Hayes maintaining the partnership having been on board for that outing and one of his two previous career successes.

The horse remains a maiden over fences in six runs, though has been set some stiff enough tasks in that period. He's got a feather weight today, back at a course he seems to enjoy with form figures of 133 – the last of which was his most recent run, over the same trip.

The winner that day Drumgill beat him by just over three lengths, with Touch Me Not a further 1/2 length ahead of him in second place. Today, he gets a 5lbs weight swing with Touch Me Not and a 13lbs weight pull with Drumgill. That should be ample change to see a reversing in the placings.

Having scooted up in his maiden by seven lengths and placed in a Grade 2 hurdle race behind Mirazur West, he clearly loves running at Fairyhouse and under today's conditions, I'd make him the one to beat – even if the jockey bookings somewhat suggest otherwise.

READ MORE: Focus On The Flat – Back O'Brien to extend Epsom domination

Butty's best horse racing bets for Wednesday January 14th 2026

1pt win- 2.05pm Newbury - Top Target - 7/2 (Various)

1pt win - 2:15pm Fairyhouse - Western Diego - 4/1 (various)

Total staked - 2pts

Prices correct as of 11:30am on Wednesday, January 14th 2026.