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
An excellent week ended Sunday, 1 March, with a profit of +£25.78, including winning naps at 5/4, 13/8, and 5/1 plus the 20/1 victory of Heltenham in the final ITV race on Saturday afternoon.
- P/L for the week ending Sunday, 1 March: +£25.78
- P/L for the year 2026 to date: +£65.27
- P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38
- P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
- P/L since 1st September 2022: +£565.93
Stable Stars
The new and exciting fantasy horse racing game STABLE STARS is now live on Free Bets!
Click below to play, or visit the Stable Stars hub for game information, plus terms and conditions!
Alan Kelly's Tips - Thursday, 5 March
Good to soft conditions are expected for both of Thursday’s jumps cards in Britain at Haydock Park and Wincanton, while over in Ireland the going at Thurles is a mixture of soft and heavy.
2:15pm Haydock - Solid Performer
Dan Skelton’s Coumeenoole has been beaten a total of 126 lengths on his three starters for the stable since leaving that of Paul Nolan in Ireland two months ago. The Harzand gelding finished a close second in a Wexford maiden hurdle last summer and is clearly capable of much better than he has shown so far for new connections. Any market move for Tristan Durrell’s mount should be noted.
Charlie Longsdon’s Chemoulin showed some promise on his second outing over hurdles when fourth at Newcastle in January, but this 2m 5f maiden hurdle looks to concern the Fergal O’Brien-trained Ballyeaston and SOLID PERFORMER from the Donald McCain stable, preference being for the latter.
Placed on all three starts over hurdles, Ballyeaston was last seen finishing second to the Jonjo & A J O’Neill-trained Kaka’s Cousin at Catterick just after Christmas, that horse now rated 126 following a comfortable victory at Kelso last month. While Jonathan Burke's mount should be winning soon, the six-year-old may have to settle for the runner-up spot once again behind Solid Performer.
Like Ballyeaston, Brian Hughes’ mount has been placed on all three starts over hurdles, losing nothing in defeat when third behind Olly Murphy’s King’s Champion (rated 124) at Ayr and when runner-up to the Jonjo & A J O’Neill-trained Hawthorn Street at Catterick on his last two outings. The Sholokhov gelding stuck to his task well at the North Yorkshire track, the pair over 20 clear of the rest of the field and can open his account over hurdles on a course which should suit his prominent style of racing.
Recommendation: Solid Performer
2:45pm Haydock - Wal Buck’s (Nap)
The J P McManus-owned WAL BUCK'S (Nap) opened his account over fences at the fourth attempt when winning a novices’ handicap over an extended 3m 1f on this course just after Christmas in 2024. That success came off a mark of 107, since when the Russell/Scudamore-trained seven-year-old suffered five defeats before returning to the winner’s enclosure with a 34 length victory under top weight at Kelso last month.
With the aid of a visor for the first time, Derek Fox’s mount never looked in any danger at the Border’s racecourse, the gelding quickening clear of his rivals from 3 out after making all of the running. A rise of just 4lb for that runaway success seems very lenient, and despite stepping back up to Class 3 level for this Tim Moloney Chase, the 114-rated Wal Buck’s looks the one to beat in a disappointing renewal of this extended 3m 4f stamina test.
The Twiston-Davies’ Safe Destination, 6 from 19 over fences, has disappointed on his last two starts, but could be dangerous if the addition of cheekpieces for the first time manages to rekindle the eight-year-old’s enthusiasm for the game. Donald McCain’s Maximilian keeps finding at least one too good and is not guaranteed to be suited by this big step up in trip, while top weight Iron Bridge, runner-up in the 2023 Welsh Grand National, is more than capable of outclassing his rivals off a mark 7lb lower than at Chepstow. However, the O’Neill runner has been pulled-up on three of his last four starts.
Recommendation: Wal Buck’s (Nap)
3:07pm Wincanton - Frank Stamper
This Class 5 handicap hurdle should take very little winning, and a good opportunity for the lightly-raced FRANK STAMPER to open his account over hurdles at the fifth attempt for a stable, that of Warren Greatrex, who has been in good form of late.
The son of Frankel should appreciate today’s drying ground, the four-year-old’s last two races coming on soft ground at Plumpton. Backed into odds of 13/8 to make a winning debut in a handicap on the first occasion, when finishing last of the seven runners after taking too keen a hold, Frank Stamper ran much better on his return to that course 10 days ago, the well-bred gelding staying on to finish a length and half second to Joe Tizzard’s Kool Kid.
With champion jockey Sean Bowen booked to ride the selection for the first time, the four-year-old, due to go up 1lb in the future, is more than capable of winning such a modest contest off a mark of 98. Linda Blackford’s bottom weight Prince Rhinegold did well to finish 5th of 12 over today’s course and distance on Boxing Day with jockey Sean Houlihan putting up 9lb overweight (shouldn’t have had that second helping of Xmas pud), and can make the frame.
Any market move for the three Dan Skelton runners, Tyson, Dream’s Ka and Son Of Tyran should be noted, along with Raffles Nobu from the in-form Nick Scholfield stable.
Recommendation: Frank Stamper
* 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 X for more racing insight.
Latest Horse Racing News
