Expert horse racing betting tips for w/c Saturday, March 7th 2026

It's the last weekend of racing before the chaos of the Cheltenham Festival kicks off. The action comes from Imperial Cup Day at Sandown, and the Lincoln Trial and Wulfruna Stakes from Wolverhampton.

Our expert team of racing tipsters are here to give their thoughts on the racing coming our way, along with some thoughts on the latest current affairs impacting the sport of kings.

It's also that time of the year when we start looking towards the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. The much anticipated Races Now Preview Night takes place on Friday evening and we look forward to seeing many of our regular readers and viewers on the night! Don't worry if you missed out, though, as a full replay of the evening will be uploaded promptly after the event on the Races Now YouTube channel.

Back to the action though and our Punters Panel are once again here to give their tips on what is certain to be another enthralling weekend of racing. The tipsters have also shared their views on the latest current affairs in the world of racing.

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:

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.

Zac Castledine - Previous Punters Panel contributor and huge horse racing lover, currently working within the industry.

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

Imperial Cup Day at Sandown, with a maximum field of 22 in the feature. Who wins?

AS: Good prize money, max field, 4/1 the field. Happy days. Mondo Man is the sexy profile, being five years old and winning by 33 lengths last time. But that was at 1/7, and the horse had failed to win in five hurdle starts previously, while this is his first time in a handicap here. I like the look of Afadil for Paul Nicholls. Career best effort last time out and an eye-catching run over course and distance in December when completely blowing the start. I like the fact that Freddie Keighley retains the ride. Nice each-way price.

HF: I think it looks rather tricky to look much past Mondo Man. He’s a horse that promised a lot with his flat rating, but threw races away being too keen. His three runs this season have shown good form, bumping into Mossy Fen Road first time up and only going 3/4 length, then into handicap company at the deep end and ran a good 4th. Last time it was a non-contest, he stays on a mark of 123, and I can’t have that he isn’t a good bit better than that.

ZC: A delicious 22-runner handicap to get us in the mood for what next week has in store. Sadly, it has to be the favourite Mondo Man for me. I just feel he can make a mockery of his mark on the drying ground here. At a price I like Bubble Dubi and will be playing him each way.

JOD: This race used to be a Martin Pipe carve up before Cheltenham – anything the genius ran, I backed. Good to see a big field too. I'm siding with Star Of Guiting. Ewan Whillans won't want to waste fuel money sending one down for such a big pot.

Anything else on your betting radar at Sandown?

AS: Nothing else for me. It’s calm before the storm type stuff, isn’t it?

HF: In the 1:50pm, I like Wolf Walker. He’s shown some decent form over 2 miles, whilst every time looking like he was crying out for further. He has a mark of 117, which I don’t think is beyond him with more to come over this trip.

ZC: I’ll be backing Calimystic, in the 3:35pm. He’s 1/1 over fences, and I would actually have him priced up as favourite here, I think he’s better than these. I’ll also be doubling him up with Old Park Star in the Supreme next week for the same jockey and trainer combo. At the time of writing, the double pays 19/1. Hopefully that’s a brilliant start to the week courtesy of Nico and Nicky!

JOD: Yes, in the bumper at 3pm, Western Charm from the Anthony Honeyball stable appeals. A yard to always have on your side in this type of race, I feel.

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Flat action at Wolverhampton with the Lincoln Trial and Listed Wulfruna Stakes on the menu. Any fancies?

AS: Flat season not far away now! I tipped Eternal Force for the Lincoln proper on Monday, so I'm hoping nothing looks too impressive in the Lincoln Trial. There looks all sorts of pace on here. Kingdom Come, Two Tempting, The Lost King, Superposition, etc. La Botte might be good, but we haven’t seen him since June. When was the last time the Britannia form worked out well? So I’m with Christian David, who will be ridden patiently, won better than the margin suggests when we last saw him and relatively unexposed for a five-year-old.

HF: I think Cool Hoof Luke will take a hell of a lot of beating in the Wulfrana. Some top-class form as a two-year-old, then had a long lay off before coming back to finish third (in front of Ferrous) in the Kachy at Lingfield. He should come on an awful lot for that, and he’s certainly the progressive one in this field. Not sure how long the 2/1 at the time of writing will be about for!

ZC: Give me Cool Hoof Luke in the Wulfruna. He’s way less exposed than most of these, having just the 5 runs, with one of those wins being the Gimcrack, where he beat the champion 2YO of his generation. All signs point to him winning this, and if he has come on for his spin around Lingfield in January, then we should be collecting here.

JOD: The Lincoln Trial looks a cracking race. Very competitive as you would expect. However, my favourite trainer Andrew Balding is usually very much forward at this time of year. So I'll be backing Regal Ulixes and with any winnings, I'll top up in the Wulfrana with Cool Hoof Luke.

Anything else you fancy to boost the pre-Cheltenham kitty this weekend?

AS: Sticking at Britain’s Friendliest Racecourse for the Lady Wulfruna. I thought Cool Hoof Luke ran a perfectly good race after a massive break from the track last time out. This looks well within his compass, albeit against some decent yardsticks at this level. Would I be falling over myself for 2/1? Not particularly.

HF: Looking at the Lincoln Trial Handicap, I'm looking at the Lincoln. What horses may need to win to get in? I think First Ambition is interesting. Ran at Southwell last time up after a break and looked like he may have needed it. Jack Nicholls takes 5 more off, and I think at 14/1 could go well.

ZC: Not on the racing front. I’m trying to limit my racing interaction this weekend to that of a caged animal, so when we reach 1:20pm on Tuesday, you’ll hear my roar in the neighbouring counties. Bring it on!

JOD: At Ayr on Saturday where I may attend (I'm about 2/1 just now), Jet Of Stars in the bumper 5.05pm is well regarded and could outsmart the twice winner Popton Point.

With Lord Allen gone, what is next for the future of British racing?

AS: What the Lord Allen saga has very much proven is that the racecourses hold the power, the BHA does not, and that change is extremely hard to come by. He was unseated by the racecourses at the very first and somewhat minor hurdle. In the short term, individual and selfish thinking at the racecourses, particularly the big ones, will make it borderline impossible for any future chairperson to enact worthwhile change.

HF: I can’t say I’m surprised. The job does look impossible – but how many people are going to give this a go? What's next is the million-dollar question, I don’t think anyone has the answer to.

ZC: Ah, what a farce. Am I surprised? Not at all. I was working at the racecourse association when Lord Allen’s name started doing its rounds as a potential successor to the previous chairman, who was a great man and a deeply sad loss to the sport. My initial thoughts at that time, which still remain today, are why are we so obsessed with selecting someone outside of racing? Surely there’s an endless amount of horsemen who could be potential candidates. I feel we need someone who understands the sport and all its many stakeholders – not someone who has to be taught and is out of the door within six months.

JOD: No comment!

Which race are you most looking forward to next week?

AS: You’d have to say the Gold Cup – it’s the blue ribband and completely wide open. Fact To File to romp round in the Ryanair, assuming he runs there, too.

HF: The Supreme is always special, starting the week off, but in terms of race, it has to be the Gold Cup. One of the best renewals in recent years. So many horses are coming with chances, and I can’t wait to see who comes out on top.

ZC: For me, nothing beats the Supreme. Everyone is at their most raucous, dreams are alive, and we have the best week of the year ahead of us. I’ve already talked up Old Park Star; he’d be my NAP of the festival. I can’t see any world where this lad doesn’t win. He looks electric! Best of luck, everyone. Enjoy it for what it is. I cannot wait!

JOD: Always for me, its' the opening day and the opening race with the famous Cheltenham roar. Hopefully I'll be roaring Talk The Talk home. Good luck everyone with your bets!