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.
Latest Profit & Loss Figures
A break-even week with a profit of just +£0.10. Another five second over the six days, making it a frustrating 12 in the last fortnight, including our 28/1 tip Nine Nine Nine, backed into 11/2 at Leicester on Wednesday.
- P/L for the week ending Sunday, 14 December: +£0.10
- P/L for the year 2025 to date: +£56.01
- P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
- P/L since 1st September 2022: +£542.00
Alan Kelly's Tips - Friday, 19 December
Ascot has escaped much of the rain which has fallen throughout the country over the last few days, the going at the Berkshire racecourse currently described as good, but with the prospect of light rain throughout the day.
1:15pm Ascot - Gaelic Pride (Nap)
The betting will prove a good guide to the chances of Nicky Henderson’s Crystal Island in this informative maiden hurdle, the four-year-old having his first start for the stable since winning an Irish point-to-point back in the spring. Ben Pauling’s Dig Deep failed to land the odds when beaten three quarters of a length by the Bailey/Nicholls-trained Sogna In Grande at Warwick last month but is clearly well regarded.
However, despite his last winner coming 8 days ago, trainer Warren Greatrex’s stable continues in excellent form and this looks a good opportunity for the Kool Kompany gelding GAELIC PRIDE (Nap) to open his account over hurdles at the third attempt. Caoilil Quinn’s mount has been unlucky to come up against a couple of talented novices in Idaho Sun and Soldier Reeves on both starts this season.
The former, 6th in the Champion Bumper at the festival back in March, is unbeaten on both outings over the smaller obstacles and is rated 135, while the latter has since finished runner-up in a Listed contest at Sandown. Gaelic Pride is unlikely to face anything of that calibre in today’s race and is expected to make it third time lucky over hurdles.
Recommendation: Gaelic Pride (Nap) - 6/1 with bet365
2:25pm Ascot - Let It Rain & Walkadina (Each-Way)
A competitive 17-runner Class 4 handicap hurdle, my two against the field being Dan Skelton’s handicap debutante LET IT RAIN and WALKADINA (Each-Way) from the David Pipe stable. The former could have been let in lightly off an opening mark of 120 considering the mare was the only one to give the Hobbs/White-trained French Ship a race at Chepstow last November, that horse now rated 146 following impressive wins at Cheltenham and Newbury this season.
Not seen since winning easily at Wetherby later that month, the daughter of Kayf Tara is unlikely to fail through lack of fitness. After looking all over the winner going to the last at Ludlow earlier this month, Walkadina managed to grab defeat from the jaws of victory when worried out of it by Evan Williams’ Tour Ovalie close home.
The Doctor Dino mare is better at today’s trip of just short of two miles as opposed to the 2m 5f encountered when 5th at Cheltenham on her reappearance. Jack Tudor’s mount could be suited by this big field and if the jockey can time his run nicely, the six-year-old is more than capable of going close.
Recommendations: Let It Rain - 5/2 with bet365 & Walkadina (Each-Way) - 11/1 with bet365 (5 places)
3:00pm Ascot - Steel Ally
A cracking Grade 2 novices’ chase, despite a field of only 5 competing for the first prize of almost £30k. The early betting is headed by last month's impressive course and distance winner No Questions Asked from the Ben Pauling stable. The Ask gelding looked like following up in the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury 27 days later, only to be outstayed by Jamie Snowden’s Wendigo after appearing to be travelling much the best going to the last.
Lucy Wadham’s Jax Junior, a wide-margin winner at Kempton on his second start over fences, is expected to take the field along in an effort for this exuberant jumper to expose any flaws in his rivals. Tom Cannon’s mount proved no match for Sam Thomas’s Lump Sum on his debut over fences however and that horse’s stablemate, STEEL ALLY, is taken to concede the 3lb to his four rivals.
The highest rated of the field over hurdles, Dylan Johnston’s mount was heavily supported to win at the first time of asking over fences at Carlisle last month and did not disappoint, the seven-year-old proving far too good for the more experienced pair of Unexpected Party and Path d’Oroux.
The Welsh trainer has a strong bunch of novice chasers this season and the Doctor Dino gelding can continue the excellent recent form of the stable with a victory in this fascinating contest.
Recommendation: Steel Ally - 7/4 with bet365
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
Latest Horse Racing Tips, Stats & Trends
Check out more from the Freebets horse racing hub, including tips, stats, market movers and today’s racecards!
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.
