Alan Kelly’s Tips

Alan heads to Doncaster on Friday for his best bet

Updated: February 26, 2026 at 4:30 pm GMT+0

Get fresh daily selections and a standout Nap of the Day from our in-house racing expert, Alan Kelly.

Looking to boost your bets? Discover the latest betting offers from the UK's best betting sites.

For live TV action, head to our ITV Racing Tips hub for expert picks on the biggest races, and explore Ryan Moore booked rides for detailed insights on one of flat racing's most successful jockeys.

BOYLE Sports logo
BOYLE Sports
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets & Cheltenham Bank Builder
18+. UK/IRE online. 9 Feb-8 Mar. Place & settle £/€10+ bets, min odds 1/1 on selected sports. Bet 4 days weekly to earn £/€5 Cheltenham Free Bet (FB). 5 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + £/€5 FB next week (NW). 6 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + £/€10 FB NW. 7 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + win a share of the £/€10k weekly jackpot (paid as cash NW). Cheltenham FBs credited 10-13 Mar, expire 13 Mar at 23:59. Free/void/cashed-out bets don’t qual. Account/bet type/settlement/payment restrictions apply.T&Cs Apply

Latest Profit & Loss Figures

A week of two halves with winning days on Friday and Saturday keeping the loss down to a marginal -£0.64.

We had three winning naps out of six, the highlight being the 8/1 ante-post success of Anglers Crag in Newcastle’s Eider Chase.

  • P/L for the week ending Sunday, 22 February: -£0.64
  • P/L for the year 2026 to date: +£39.49
  • P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38
  • P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
  • P/L since 1st September 2022: +£540.15

Alan Kelly's Tips - Friday, 27 February

Along with a couple of excellent jumps cards at Newbury and Doncaster, there is a valuable all-weather card taking place at Lingfield Park with seven All-Weather Championship Trials.

Soft ground is currently the case at Newbury, while on Town Moor conditions are described as good to soft.


2:50pm Doncaster - Tormund Giantsbane (Nap)

Nicky Henderson’s Quay Item opened his account at the second attempt over hurdles with a comfortable victory in a maiden at Plumpton last month, after which the Sholokhov gelding was given a rating of 124. While James Bowen’s mount is open to plenty more improvement, the opening mark of 123 allotted to Dan Skelton’s TORMUND GIANTSBANE (Nap) probably underestimates the ability of the son of Mount Nelson, who was set an impossible task on his second start over hurdles when fourth of five behind Paul Nicholls’ exciting No Drama This End in a Grade 2 contest at Sandown in December.

Harry Skelton’s mount, a point-to-point and Bumper winner, made a successful hurdling debut with an easy victory at Carlisle in the previous month and may turn out to be much better than his four rivals in this extended 3m contest. Breezethroughlife’s Fakenham win does not look good enough in this company, while Sunset Boulevard and Sleedagh will need to improve upon their most recent efforts if they are to trouble the principles. 

Recommendation: Tormund Giantsbane (Nap) - 5/4 with bet365


3:00pm Newbury - Wyenot

With a rating of 142, the Stuart Edmunds-trained Miami Magic is likely to be sent off at a short price to take this Class 3 novices’chase, the mount of Charlie Hammond a winner at Cheltenham on New Years Day from a couple of talented novices in Regent’s Stroll and Califet En Vol, the latter an easy winner of a Kempton handicap last week.

Last seen finishing third in Sandown’s Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, the seven-year-old is not guaranteed to be suited by today’s step-up to a trip just short of three miles however, and is reluctantly passed over in favour of Henry Daly’s WYENOT.

A Listed winner over hurdles at Doncaster over an extended three miles, the seven-year-old mare made a successful debut over fences when winning a beginners’ chase at Ludlow in November, prior to finishing last of three behind two decent novices in Diva Luna and Blue Las in a Listed chase at Warwick the following month.

The mount of Sam Twiston-Davies has since had a wind op, and in receipt of the 7lb mares’ allowance, is fancied to outstay her main rival on a course which should suit. Nicky Henderson’s That’s Nice has plenty of ability, but has been beaten a total of 52 lengths on her two starts over fences to date.

Recommendation: Wyenot - 10/3 with bet365


3:57pm Doncaster - Scairp Dubh

Jonjo & A J O’Neill’s hat-trick seeking Mr Griffiths is 12lb well-in for this Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier following the Masked Marvel gelding’s 26 length victory in a “Hands And Heels” handicap for conditionals and amateurs at Warwick last week. Unbeaten on both starts since going handicapping, Jonjo O’Neill Jn’s mount may have been flattered by the ease of that victory over an extra two furlongs and is worth taking on with SCAIRP DUBH from the Parkinson/Smith stable. 

The Scorpion gelding opened his account at the 6th attempt over hurdles with a victory in a conditional jockeys’ novices’ limited handicap at Carlisle 11 days ago, the six-year-old beaten only two lengths when fourth of 16 at Newcastle on his previous start last month, and due to go up a further 5lb in the future.

The mount of 5lb claimer Jack Power looks sure to be suited by today’s step-up in trip, and in a race where few of the 10 runners can be seriously fancied, Scairp Dubh gets the vote over the Jackdaws Castle contender.

Recommendation: Scairp Dubh - 5/1 with bet365


* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.


Check out more from the Freebets horse racing hub, including tips, stats, market movers and today’s racecards!

Alan Kelly’s Tips
Charlie McCann’s Tips
Lucky 15 Tips | Horse Racing Lucky 15 Tips for Today & Tomorrow
Horse Racing Market Movers - Today’s Best Backed Horses
Horse Racing Stats & Trends - Today’s Key Pointers
Longest Travelled Horses Today
UK and Ireland Racecards for Today
Placepot Tips Today
Nap of the Day - Top Horse Racing Naps & Daily Tips

About Alan Kelly

A passionate follower of horse racing for over 50 years, Alan has enjoyed a 40-year career in the betting industry, 28 of which he spent running his betting shop as an owner/manager.

A successful punter with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights, including a Scoop 6 win and has shown a consistent profit in the battle with bookmakers since joining Freebets.com in 2008.

You can follow Alan Kelly on Twitter for more racing insight.


Latest Betting Offers

Check the latest free bets and betting offers from the best betting sites in the UK at Freebets.com.

Jeffbet New Customers Offer - Bet £10 and Get a £30 Free Bet
Star Sports Welcome Offer - Bet £50 to Get £25 in Free Bets
See More Betting Offers
Alan Kelly
Alan Kelly

A successful punter, with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights down the years, including a Scoop 6 win and has shown a consistent profit in the battle with bookmakers since joining Free Bets.

Free Bets, Promo Codes and Welcome Offers

BETFRED
Betfred Sign-Up Offer and Promo Code
Read Review
Kwiff Logo
Kwiff Review, Free Bets and Betting Offers 2026
Read Review
Spreadex Sports Review & Features Insight
Read Review
bet365 logo
Bet365 Review and Feature Insights
Read Review
William Hill Sports Logo
William Hill Review & Sign Up Offer
Read Review
Best CopyBet Sign Up Offer & Bonuses 2026
Read Review
BetWay Review & User Opinion
Read Review
jeffbet Logo Webp
Jeffbet Review, Sign Up Offer & Bonuses for February 2026
Read Review
Pick your bet type
Horse Racing Offers
More Horse Racing Offers
BOYLE Sports logo
1
BOYLE Sports
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets & Cheltenham Bank Builder
Claim Offer
18+. UK/IRE online. 9 Feb-8 Mar. Place & settle £/€10+ bets, min odds 1/1 on selected sports. Bet 4 days weekly to earn £/€5 Cheltenham Free Bet (FB). 5 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + £/€5 FB next week (NW). 6 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + £/€10 FB NW. 7 days = £/€5 Cheltenham FB + win a share of the £/€10k weekly jackpot (paid as cash NW). Cheltenham FBs credited 10-13 Mar, expire 13 Mar at 23:59. Free/void/cashed-out bets don’t qual. Account/bet type/settlement/payment restrictions apply.T&Cs Apply
Tote logo
2
Tote
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim Offer
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Bet min of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit and £/€10 Free Sports Bet. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
247Bet Betting logo
3
247Bet Betting
Get a 100% Bonus Up To £50
Claim Offer
18+. New players only. Opt-in required. Min deposit £20. Offer is 100% match bonus up to £50 on your first deposit. Bonus funds can be used on a real money sports bet with minimal odds of 3/4 (1.75 decimal) or higher, any sport except virtuals, boosted odds, handicap, & draw no bet markets. Bonus funds are separate to cash funds and subject to 5x wagering requirement (bonus + deposit). Only bonus funds count toward wagering contribution. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days. Affordability checks apply. Terms apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.