Expert horse racing betting tips for Saturday, November 1st 2025

Wetherby provides the high-profile action this weekend with the Charlie Hall Chase and the West Yorkshire Hurdle. There is also some fascinating racing taking place at Ascot, Newmarket, and Carlisle.

Our Punters Panel are back to give their opinions on what is set to be a captivating weekend of horse racing!

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

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

SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis over the past year.

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.

Daniel Weatherill - Frequent Northern racegoer and passionate gambler. Stood in as Races Now's cameraman during Glorious Goodwood.

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

It’s the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday. Who is the best value?

SD: ⁠Earlier in the week, I dutched Djelo and The Real Whacker, who may be suited to this test in October more than others. I remain happy with the position.

AS: The field of six looks pretty well matched. Dan Skelton sounds particularly confident about Protektorat, so I'd side with him.

HF: Earlier in the week, when The Real Whacker was 12/1, it was an easy question, but now, less than half that in some places, I think he’s gone the other way completely. I think 5/1 about Djelo is the best value in the race currently, as a 7-year-old with a lot more upside than any of the others, who are all 9 or 10. He has a good record when fresh, too, and I thought he would be closer in the market to Protektorat.

DW: Protektorat is getting older and has had a lot of hard races over his career. Hewick hasn’t won over fences in a long time. Pic D'orhy is going the wrong way round, and Djelo is more effective on softer ground. The Real Whacker, meanwhile, has fitness on side, loves Wetherby (which is a track that can suit front runners) and won this race last year. So I'll back the Whacker for a bold bid from the front!

CT: Last year's winner, The Real Whacker, I’m told, is bouncing ahead of his defence of his crown, but I would side with Hewick, who, like The Real Whacker, comes here race fit, and that could be a telling factor in the closing stages.

Wetherby also hosts the West Yorkshire Hurdle. Which staying hurdler will be victorious?

SD: Probably Strong Leader. He’s a class above these, with no stamina doubts.

AS: We had Friend Of The Channel on the YouTube show on Thursday, and he made a good chance for an outsider of the field Doddiethegreat, so I'll trust his judgement there.

HF: ⁠I am with Take No Chances at the prices. I’m surprised, to be honest, that Potters Charm is as short as he is. Not really sure what he beat last season, and he may be a slightly overhyped horse. Take No Chances has a run under her belt, like she did when winning easily on this card last year, and the step up to 3 miles looks a good move.

DW: Although he has a lot to find on ratings and each-way terms would have been preferable, Doddiethegreat is guaranteed to stay the trip, unlike some ahead of him in the market and seemed to improve a lot last season. Strong Leader might be too good though, so the selection could be a bet in the without favourite market.

CT: A small field, which is a shame. We really are desperate for the rain. I’m hoping after a wind op, Potters Charm can confirm he is a live contender for the Stayers' Hurdle with a dominant performance.

Anything on a particularly underwhelming Ascot card?

SD: Yes, it wouldn’t be the jumps season without me tipping The Changing Man at some point. But there is juice in the mark here.

AS: Boothill might be getting on a bit, but he does love Ascot and this is his first time running in a handicap for ages.

HF: ⁠In the 2:05, Martator sticks out to me. Won on this card last year before following up off just 1lb lower by 11 lengths. Has had four runs at Ascot, winning three times and once finishing seventh when they tried him up in trip, and it didn’t work. He didn’t finish last season all that well, but with that, he has slipped to this nice mark. Back at Ascot here, and Venetia Williams could be in for a good Saturday starting up her season.

DW: Two each-way bets for me. Martator is a course and distance winner going here off a nice weight and has Ned Fox claiming 5lbs, which is a plus. Then, Neon Moon, who ran well last time out at Uttoxeter, also has a very attractive weight. Elsewhere, I think Alexi travelled very nicely last time out and just bumped into a good horse, so should go and win the Lavazza.

CT: Agreed, it’s not the best card for an Ascot Saturday. Blow Your Wad in the 3.45 is interesting for the Tom Lacey yard, though.

There are a couple of listed races at Newmarket. Who appeals in any of these at the dying embers of the flat season?

SD: ⁠⁠Erzindjan was not ridden brilliantly on his latest outing and is in far better form than his figures suggest. He could surprise a few at a price.

AS: I'd be surprised if the market allowed Morning Rose to go off as big as the current 5/1 in the 1:07. Charlie Appleby doesn't have a good record in this particular race, but these are the type of races he mops up on home soil. In the 3:25, Gethin leads the market and is exciting. But he'll have to be pretty good to see off some well-established names in opposition, such as Liberty Lane, Royal Playwright and even old boy Okeechobee. It's a nice race.

HF: ⁠⁠Yes, in the first of those listed races, the 1:07, Classic Cuvee is the one for me. Put in two very solid efforts – particularly when beating Amelia Earhart in victory at Doncaster – before thoroughly disappointing last time out. With that Donny success in mind, I’m more than happy to put a line through the last run, and I think 9/2 is too big.

DW: Liberty Lane appeals to me and can defy a penalty to win the 3:25. He won here last year and put in a respectable run at Newmarket in a Group 3 level last time out. I would also back Aspiral at an each-way price for the fillies race. Made all last time in what was a personal best, and Karl Burke is dynamite with 2-year-olds.

CT: Aspiral looks overpriced for the all-conquering Karl Burke team at 10/1. Yes, he is a little more exposed, but he sets a decent standard on his latest Ayr win. I think Gethin will take a lot of beating in the other listed race. We have May Blossom running there in the 2.50, and she would have a good each-way chance.

Carlisle hosts a wonderful card on Sunday – any fancies at this juncture?

SD: What a card. The best of the weekend. In terms of a selection, Dunnet Head has a superb record fresh and should give you a run for your money.

AS: Absolutely no idea pre-final declarations. I'll be concentrating my efforts on the Breeders' Cup on Saturday.

HF: Will have to wait and see declarations, but I am looking forward to Siog Geal this season. I think she’s got a big campaign ahead of her, and that rating of 122 won’t last long. The step up in trip is what she was desperate for last season, but Fergal O’Brien was in no rush and only ran her over long in her final outing of last term, where she won.

DW: ⁠I think Val Dancer can win the Cumberland Plate. Otherwise, I'm largely waiting for the ground as the weather forecast is heavy rain, but the course is currently riding good. If it comes up good ground, I think Resplendent Grey would be a bet in the Colin Parker, but let's see what the weather gods have in store for the weekend.

CT: It will be weather-dependent, I'd say. But I'm looking forward to watching Handstands return in the Colin Parker.

Should you take the best odds available on Oddschecker, or are they “stale”?

SD: I think it’s sad we’ve got to this point. I think bookmakers have used affordability checks as a conduit to bin accounts. It’s far easier to bet on course, but I’m afraid the customer service offered to bettors is ghastly.

AS: The short answer is yes. What is the point of being top price on anything if you are not prepared to lay it? But the incident in question has been blown out of all proportion. It must be a slow news fortnight when Maureen Haggas vs Zac Purton and AK Bets restricting a single customer have both been headline news.

HF: Well, you are at an impossible disadvantage. Some books will make themselves the biggest price but then claim stale prices, so how are we ever supposed to know what is 'stale' and what isn't? If you fancy a horse and go on Oddschecker, you pick the biggest price available. That’s literally the point of Oddschecker. In truth, I’m not sure what exactly “stale prices” are, other than a bookie's excuse for telling a sharp punter to go away.

DW: ⁠I would always take the best odds available. The bookmakers offer odds, and it should be their responsibility to ensure they are correct. I certainly wouldn’t like my account closed due to taking a top Oddschecker price, put it that way.

CT: ⁠Currently, I only have a restricted Bet365 account and the machine, so I haven't had that luxury for a while. But placing a decent bet online is getting tougher for the punter, no doubt.