Expert horse racing betting tips for w/c Saturday, January 10th 2026

The racing schedule could well be hit by the impact of Storm Goretti this weekend, but there may be races at Kempton and Warwick that avoid the big freeze and snowy conditions that have hit the UK.

Our Punters Panel are back to give their opinions on what is sure to be another brilliant weekend of racing. The tipsters have also offered their thoughts on the early betting ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in case the racing falls victim to the weather.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the four experts answering our key questions this week:

SD - Races Now's tipster extraordinaire who has shot to prominence over the last year with his engaging content and stellar betting record.

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Craig Talbot - Owner of Ursa Major Racing, providing affordable and rewarding syndicates for racing fans.

Joe O'Donnell - Racing lover and long-time Races Now viewer and supporter.

If racing at Kempton and Warwick is not affected by the freeze this Saturday, what would be your best bet?

SD: I think it’s probably Red Risk in the Pertemps Qualifier at Warwick. Buoyed by the softening of conditions and with the Pertemps not an obvious target, Freddie Keighley can get a tune out of him.

AS: It's a cracking card at Warwick, so I hope they get a bit of luck with the weather. Wade Out could be the class act in the Hampton Novices’ at 1:52pm.

HF: I’m looking to the 3:17pm Lanzarote Hurdle. I fancy Came From Nowhere at 10/1 for a good each-way bet. At Hereford last time, this one was only pushed out to win when upped to 2m3f, so the further step up in trip looks to suit, and I think this 7-year-old is a lot better than a mark of 124.

CT: Mr Vango is likely my only bet this weekend. The rain arriving today should soften the ground enough for him, too.

JO: If racing goes ahead at Kempton, I'll be backing French Ship in the Lanzarote at 3.17pm. A progressive hurdler with an excellent conditional jockey on board in the shape of Callum Pritchard. Interestingly, seven of the last 11 winners have been ridden by a conditional rider.

A fantastic renewal and bunch finish to the King George, along with a surprise winner of the Savills Chase in Ireland, leaves us with a Gold Cup market that is 6/1 the field. Who is your idea of the winner?

SD: I am agnostic at this stage but last year's 1-2 are unlikely. Maybe Jango Baie, but the picture is wreathed in fog.

AS: As wide open a renewal as I’ve ever seen at this stage. Big question marks over Inothewayurthinkin (stinking so far) and Galopin Des Champs (not as good as he used to be), and we had a bunch finish in the King George. If I had to have a bet now? The Jukebox Man. A horse on the up.

HF: I like Gaelic Warrior. I really think that he is top drawer. The stamina I don’t see as a problem – he was good in the Aintree Bowl beating Grey Dawning, where he looked better the further he went. He has serious talent and at times has thrown races away, but feels this season he looks like a different animal.

CT: A UK winner this year, I think. Jango Baie would be my pick at this stage, but I do respect Grey Dawning and The Jukebox Man.

JO: I have no doubt we will see a very different Inothewayurthinkin in the Gold Cup. The horse clearly likes Cheltenham, having powered up the hill in 2025 to win the big one. The horse will be peaked for back-to-back successes.

READ MORE: Football Punters Panel - expert betting tips and insight

Sir Gino dominated the Christmas Hurdle whilst Lossiemouth won the Irish equivalent. Which way are you leaning on the Champion Hurdle?

SD: I think Sir Gino is in another parish ability wise. Anazadam, if channelled correctly, looks a live each way contender.

AS: I’d much prefer Sir Gino over fences, but that looks unlikely to happen. I think Constitution Hill will probably run. What other options do they have? Not that I would back him. Short answer – Sir Gino.

HF: If Sir Gino gets to the race all sound, then to me, he looks like “banker of the week" material. I don’t see any horse at the moment in his league, and he’s a chaser.

CT: I just hope we see them do battle on the big day, as Lossiemouth doesn’t go to the Mares'. There is no value in either at the moment ante-post-wise. Golden Ace at 16s would be the each-way play to my eye, as there's every chance this could cut up.

JO: Sir Gino is a high-class horse, and if his preparation all goes to plan, I think he is a dead cert. Lossiemouth will put up a gallant challenge if turning up, but I do think it's Sir Gino's race to lose.

Plenty of juvenile hurdlers put their hat in the ring for future Grade 1 prizes in the last couple of weeks. Who impressed you the most?

SD: I would be lying if they were on my radar. Come February they might be.

AS: For a horse that fell in his biggest ever assignment, there has sure been a lot of talk about Talk The Talk from connections. I think Idaho Sun is underestimated in both the Supreme and Turners markets. That Champion Bumper form is rock solid. And he beat Mydaddypaddy fair and square in a Grade 1 last time. Hurdles were omitted, but he still had to win.

HF: Not going to be particularly different here, but I was rather impressed with Narciso Has. He was beaten on debut by a race-fit rival, but that rival, who also looks a good filly. Then he made things right on Boxing Day, winning by 11 lengths and is now the favourite for the Triumph. He looks like a Triumph horse to me, and one I think that, like many of the winners of this race, will stay well.

CT: Without stating the obvious ones, I really liked what Missy Feb Road did. That horse looks well above average to me.

JO: Narciso Has was very impressive on Boxing Day in Ireland and is Timeform's highest rated juvenile at 138p. The Doctor Gino gelding will be a warm order for the Triumph Hurdle. I also like Mange Tout, who has beaten Narciso Has in the Bar 1 Grade 3 at Fairyhouse. Gordon Elliott will be hell-bent on having a good festival.

Eight weeks out and at current prices, what is your best bet for the Festival?

SD: Diva Luna has impressed me in her chase starts and 14/1 each way in a race that probably won’t have 8 runners is the way to go.

AS: Sir Gino will end up odds-on for the Champion Hurdle. Idaho Sun will be too big a price wherever he runs. Fact To File will end up winning a small field Ryanair again. And the Gold Cup is fantastically wide open.

HF: Me and Smido have been doing Cheltenham Chats over on YouTube, and on the last one, I nominated Fact To File at 11/4 for the Ryanair and Bob Olinger each-way for the Stayers' at 10/1 as my best bets.

CT: Marine Nationale looks like a banker to me in a very weak-looking champion chase. Jonnywho is very much on the radar too for a handicap.

JO: My best bet is Kazansky each-way in the Albert Bartlett. I think this is overpriced right now. Willie Mullins will have lots of lightly-raced horses fancied for this, but Kazansky looks a tough, experienced horse with winning Grade 2 form over 2m 7f.

Buoyant crowds up and down the country over the Christmas holidays, maybe racing and betting isn't as doom and gloom as some people think it is?

SD: Quite. There’s always something to derail things. I am optimistic about the future and despite headwinds it remains the greatest sport in the world. Racecourses would do well to look after their clientele. Surely a good New Year’s resolution for 2026?

AS: I was at Aintree on Boxing Day and there was a definite buzz about. Everyone has said how good Kempton was. I’m usually in the camp of cutting fixtures, but why not race on the 23rd and 24th December when people are off work, and there’s clearly demand? Then put blank days in at other points in the year.

HF: It’s an issue which we have had for a good bit of time now. How do we get people in the door and to come racing? It’s great to see the numbers showing that more people are coming to see our great sport and offer up some sort of positive vibes, which are few and far between. The hope is, of course, that this leads to more attending throughout the year.

CT: Horse Racing is bloody brilliant. I love it. My New Year’s resolution is to spend less time reading doom and gloom comments. The mute button on X is a thing of beauty!

JO: Yes. It's wonderful to see packed crowds over the festive season. I was at Ayr with SD for the New Year's meeting, and it was rammed. Friend of the Channel was not happy as he was betting in the indoor hall whilst a blaring disco was blaring all day long!