Alan Kelly’s Tips

Alan heads to Leicester on Tuesday for his best bet

Updated: January 19, 2026 at 4:07 pm GMT+0

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Alan Kelly's Tips - Tuesday, 20 January

Leicester stages the only jumps fixture in Britain on Tuesday afternoon, the ground a mixture of soft and heavy.

All-weather action comes from Newcastle in the afternoon and Southwell in the evening.


2:02pm Leicester - Jipcot

The nine-year-old Heezaboy has proved something of a money spinner since joining trainer Gary Hanmer four months ago. The ex Pauline Robson inmate has suffered just the one defeat in five starts for new connections, that coming courtesy of a creditable second in a competitive 16-runner handicap at Uttoxeter in October.

Jack Hogan’s mount now runs off a mark some 33lb higher than when recording the first of those four wins however, the latest coming on this course just after Christmas. While it would be no surprise to see this bang-in-form chaser go close once again, I just prefer the chances of the Jonjo & AJ O’Neill-trained JIPCOT.

The seven-year-old faced some stiff tests over hurdles last season, culminating in defeats at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. Rated 6lb lower over fences, and returning to the bigger obstacles for the first time in over two years, Jipcot was far from disgraced in finishing third at Ayr earlier in the month.

The O’Neill stable is in decent form at the moment (two winners at the weekend) and with that first effort of the season under his belt, Kielan Woods’ mount can open his account over fences with a victory in this Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier.

Recommendation: Jipcot - 11/2 with bet365


2:43pm Newcastle - Silky Wilkie

Well backed to win a Lingfield handicap over today’s trip of 6f at Lingfield two weeks ago, the Karl Burke-trained SILKY WILKIE could never get to grips with the enterprisingly ridden winner Accrual who dominated the race from the front, never looking in any danger of being caught. Beaten a nose for the runner-up spot, that was still a decent effort from the mount of talented 5lb claimer Jack Nicholls, who is fancied to take this class 3 handicap in receipt of weight from his 6 rivals.

Running off his lowest mark since winning a handicap at Hamilton during the summer of 2022, the Middleham Park Racing-owned seven-year-old may only be a shadow of the horse who finished second in the 2024 Ayr Gold Cup off a mark of 99 (19lb higher) but is more than capable of winning a race of this nature based on his creditable run in a York handicap back in September.

Betsen was a shock winner on his first start for trainer Tony Carroll when taking a Southwell Class 2 handicap two months ago at odds of 40/1, and may prove the main danger to Silky Wilkie racing off a mark only 2lb higher and with the 5lb claim of rider Ryan Kavanagh.

Recommendation: Silky Wilkie - 10/3 with bet365


4:02pm Leicester - Take A Hike (Nap)

Leicester’s card ends with a ‘Hands And Heels’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (CJS & Amateur Riders) run over and extended 2m 4f. Talented conditional Freddie Keighley takes the ride on the D J Jeffreys-trained TAKE A HIKE (Nap), who looks the one to beat following a couple of excellent efforts this season.

A comfortable winner over 2m 5f on good to soft ground at Kelso on her reappearance in November, the mare failed to follow-up off a 5lb higher mark at Ayr on her most recent start when weakening late-on after leading at the second-last. That trip of an extended 3m on heavy ground probably stretched the eight-year-old’s stamina, who should appreciate the shorter distance of today’s race and less testing conditions.

The opposition for this Class 5 handicap does not look particularly strong, the main danger to the selection possibly coming in the shape of Fergal O’Brien’s winner of 5 races last year, three on the flat and 2 over hurdles, Queen Of Steel, although the mount of Mr Lucas Murphy will need to improve upon her two runs over the smaller obstacles this season.

Recommendation: Take A Hike (Nap) - 11/4 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!

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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.


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Alan Kelly
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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 freebets.com.

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