Alan Kelly’s Tips

Alan heads to Curragh on Tuesday for his best bet

Updated: October 19, 2026 at 5:00 pm GMT+1

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

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Following three excellent weeks we were due a bad one, and since Sea Lantern’s narrow Cesarewitch defeat little has gone right, the week ending Sunday 18th October resulting in a loss of -£13.82.

P/L for the week ending Sunday, 18 October: -£13.82

P/L for the year to date: +£199.60

P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38

P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42

P/L since 1st September 2022: +£700.16


Alan Kelly's Tips - Tuesday, 20 October

Soft ground is forecast for the two turf Flat meetings taking place on Tuesday afternoon at Yarmouth and the Curragh in Ireland, while Hexham’s Jumps card is expected to take place on good going.


2:32pm Hexham - Malangen (Each-Way)

Adrian McGuinness’s Bryson has a 7lb penalty to carry for his win at Uttoxeter on Friday; with Sean Bowen in the saddle once again, the Order Of St George gelding is more than capable of following up on just his third start for the stable. 

Sam England’s Littletown Lad has won two of his last three starts, and may have been a bit unlucky when only third at Sedgefield earlier in the front when possibly finding himself in front too soon. Paul Midgley’s Jedhi Knight is interesting on his return to hurdles, a remark which also applies to Ewan Whillans’ Billy Bathgate. Any market confidence in either horse should be noted.

However, the each-way vote goes to the Lisa Harrison-trained Malangen, the mount of 7lb claimer Dominic Hislop. The veteran 11-year-old looked a bit unlucky when a length in front at the second-last only to unseat his rider over today’s course and distance during the summer, a race won by fellow rival Snapaudaciaheros (now 10lb worse off).

Malangen has now dropped to a handy mark of 77 and should appreciate the drop back down to two miles after holding a clear lead at Kelso over 2m 5f sixteen days ago until collared by eventual winner Luminaries (won again at Southwell 9 days later) in the last 100 yards.

Recommendation: Malangen (Each-Way) at 4/1


3:00pm Curragh - Maire Rua (Nap)

The O’Brien family are responsible for 5 of the 11 runners in this Group 3 juvenile fillies contest, best of the Joseph O’Brien trio possibly the Listowel maiden winner Magna Victoria, while Donnach O’Brien’s Isle Of Capri has improved with each of her three starts to date, culminating in a victory at Gowran Park last month.

Best of the O’Brien clan, however, is Aidan’s Wootton Bassett filly Golden Ring, last seen finishing a two length seventh in Newmarket’s Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes after finding herself short of room in the closing stages of that 7f contest. While Ryan Moore’s mount is respected, she may have her work cut out to see off Ger Lyon’s Maire Rua, the highest rated runner with an official rating of 103.

Juddmonte’s daughter of Frankel won a strong Leopardstown maiden on her debut during the summer before finishing third in a Cork Listed race, a performance which can be marked up as the filly was hampered at the start and again inside the final furlong.

Colin Keane’s mount put the experience gained in those first two races to good use when landing a Leopardstown Listed race last month, beating a strong field of fillies headed by Willie McCreery’s Timeless Tale, a winner on her debut at Naas by a long-looking eight and a half lengths. On ratings, Maire Rue has a good few pounds in hand of her rivals, and I expect this well-bred grey filly to come out on top.

Recommendation: Maire Rua (Nap)

This is Alan's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Charlie McCann's pick.


5:08pm Yarmouth - Koffee And Kale

This will be the fourth visit to Yarmouth for the Michael Bell-trained Koffee And Kale, the three-year-old Ardad gelding finding just the one too good on each occasion, the most recent when beaten a nose over the minimum trip last Monday. 

Off a mark only 1lb higher, and with recently crowned champion jockey Billy Loughnane taking over in the saddle for the first time, this looks a perfect opportunity for the consistent sprinter to record a second victory, the first coming in a novice contest at Leicester around this time last year.

The main danger to the selection is likely to come in the shape of the five-year-old Call Time and talented 3lb claimer Jack Nicholls. After winning a couple of races on soft ground at Ffos Las last month, the son of Soldier’s Call just failed to land the treble when beaten half a length at Nottingham last week and should go well again racing off the same mark of 60.

Recommendation: Koffee and Kale at 13/8


* 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 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 & Ireland Racecards for Today
Placepot Tips Today - Free Tote Placepot Tips for Every UK & Irish Meeting
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 Free Bets in 2008.

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


Latest Horse Racing News

Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Tuesday, 20 October - Yarmouth & Hexham
Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Monday, 19 October - Pontefract & Plumpton
Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Sunday, 18 October - Sedgefield

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.

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