Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Sunday, 4 October - Longchamp, Uttoxeter & Kelso
Charlie heads to Kelso on Sunday for his best bet
It's a busy day of racing action in the UK and Ireland, and Charlie McCann is here with his exclusive free horse racing tips - only at FreeBets.
The Arc has long replaced the Derby as the best and most important flat race on the planet, although the Epsom classic would get a huge fillip if Maltese Cross – second in the Derby – can go one better in the great race this afternoon.
The draw has been unkind to both Folsom Blues (1:09pm) and Naana's Shadow in the Abbaye, and I haven't and won't support either in their respective Group 1s.
3:05pm Longchamp - Daryz
The draw has been kinder to the market leaders in the Arc, with last year's winner DARYZ in stall five and the mare Kalpana in six. Preference is for last year's winner, who is bidding to become the first colt to win the race back-to-back since Alleged in 1978.
The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained four-year-old is eight from nine in France and looked better than ever when demolishing Bay City Roller in the Prix Foy on Trials Day here last month. He only had a head in hand of Minnie Haux in 2025, but today's better ground will suit, and the runner-up has been a disappointment so far this term, although she has been poorly placed by connections. Will Buick takes over in the saddle, and she will appreciate the ground, but there seems no reason why she should reverse last year's form.
The five-year-old Kalpana was all out to land the Yorkshire Oaks last time on ground softer than ideal. As good as she is, I have never considered her a Zarkava, Treve or Enable, although it is possible she will not have to be. She met trouble in running in the 2025 renewal.
Talking horse Benvenuto Cellini has had his limitations exposed in his last two starts, but he has the plum draw in stall one. It will be interesting to see what tactics Ryan Moore adopts, but he was no match for Varindir in the Prix Niel here last month, and the latter may be the chief threat to his stablemate.
Recommendation: Daryz - 15/8 with William Hill
3:50pm Longchamp - Precise
Like many, I have been waiting for PRECISE to step up to 10f for much of the season, and she finally gets her chance this afternoon. I'm not convinced Ballydoyle have got everything right this term, despite their continued unprecedented success, and the selection did win the Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes earlier in the season.
I thought that Royal Ascot success showed she was ready for a step up in trip, but connections have seen the filly plateau over a mile in recent starts. She has been on the go since the spring and raced seven times, which is a concern, but I would kick myself if she landed the Prix l'Opera and I hadn't supported her.
Market leader Aventure is a top-class filly, but she is, arguably, better on softer ground and preference is for the three-year-old. Do note the classic generation have landed the last five renewals of this Group 1 contest.
Recommendation: Precise - 4/1 with bet365
4:20pm Uttoxeter - Ghasham
GHASHAM was given a shocking ride at Cartmel last time, and the hope is that Jonathan England does not give the selection too much to do. The seven-year-old has been raised 2lbs for that narrow defeat, but I have rated him as a 2l winner and think he can defy the rise.
He was travelling all over his field in a void race over today's course and distance back in July, and I am convinced he remains well treated. The Sam England yard have had three winners in the last two weeks, but none have been ridden by her husband, and he cannot afford to give the leaders too much rope in what is a better race than Cartmel.
Recommendation: Ghasham
3:30pm Kelso - Ice Jet (Nap)
Tommy's Oscar won the valuable 2m4f handicap chase back in 2023, and the Ann Hamilton yard have won half of the last eight renewals of the feature race on the card. The stable had their first runner for some time at Hexham on Friday, and he – Double Digits - was weak in the market and was never placed to challenge.
Breaking Cover has won his last couple but has been raised 10lbs and will need a career best to land the hat-trick. Aeros Luck has had his wind operated on and is considered the chief threat to the four-year-old ICE JET (Nap) who was a revelation when allowed to bowl along in front at Uttoxeter last time, and a 10lbs rise is fair given it was an 18l demolition.
The race has already thrown up a winner, and the selection carries just 10st 2lbs with a 9lbs weight-for-age allowance. Charlie Todd takes over in the saddle with Dan Skelton unable to do the weight, and the grey will enjoy underfoot conditions described as a mix of good and good to firm – dry forecast - on Saturday morning.
Recommendation: Ice Jet (Nap)
This is Charlie's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Alan Kelly's pick too.
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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