Enjoy daily tips and his Nap of the Day from our resident expert, Charlie McCann.
If you’re after extra value, explore the latest offers and promotions from the top betting sites.
Get expert analysis and selections for all major televised races on our dedicated ITV Racing Tips page, and don’t miss our full rundown of Ryan Moore booked rides, featuring race-by-race tips on one of the sport’s top jockeys.
Latest Profit & Loss Figures
An excellent week ending Sunday, 18 January, produced a profit of +£18.05 on a £1 level stake.
Yet, there is no question we left some money in the satchel again, as I avoided The Jukebox Kid on Saturday (10/3) and said I would back Top Target (5/1) on Wednesday if prices allowed. Well, they did, and I did, but I obviously cannot involve them in the figures.
Getting the column online as soon as possible can backfire when you don't have early prices, though I appreciate that it is my modus operandi.
The week's highlight was having seven winning naps - six winners and the one recommended each-way finishing 2nd.
They were:
Monday: Loaded And Locked (5/2 winner)
Tuesday: Big Zouk (5/2 winner)
Wednesday: Doctors Hill (Each-Way ) (9/1 2nd - 20p R4)
Thursday: Rivers Corner (11/4 winner)
Friday: Potters Charm (3/1 winner)
Saturday: Came From Nowhere (3/1 winner)
Sunday: Highlands Legacy (4/1 winner - 25p R4)
Latest Profit & Loss for the week ending Sunday, 18 January 2026
- Cumulative profit since August 1, 2022: +£1,410.63
- Week ending Sunday, 18 January: +£18.05
- January 2026 to date: +£20.42
- Year 2025 ended: +£312.73
- Year 2024 ended: +£364.90
- Year 2023 ended: +£469.27
- Period 1/8/22-31/12/22 ended: +£243.31
(All figures to a £1 level stake)
Charlie McCann’s Tips - Tuesday, 20 January
1:32pm Leicester - Starzand
The four previous winners look the ones to concentrate on in the 2m4f+ Novice Hurdle, and STARZAND faced a challenging task trying to give Bossman Jack 7lbs when second to the Dan Skelton-trained winner at Ffos Las earlier in the month.
That was over the minimum trip, and the selection's previous run was over an additional furlong back at Ffos Las when he dug deep to beat Dig Deep back in October. He looked a thorough stayer on that occasion, and while the form is nothing special – placed horses rated 118 – he was a point winner in his native Ireland and impressed when scoring at Ffos Las – where else – in his sole Bumper back in March.
The selection cost £230,000 on the back of his point success, and he strikes me as the type to win a decent pot over hurdles this spring – Bumper win came on good ground – before switching to the larger obstacles next term. There are no prices at the time of writing, and you could argue that his current rating of 127 flatters him, but he gets a confident vote.
The Olly Murphy-trained Ubatuba looks the chief threat, having won over course and distance on similar ground – soft – last month. He cost £85,000 after winning his point in Ireland, but he beat trees here last month, and I will be disappointed if the Hobbs/White six-year-old cannot beat Ubataba, who Ben Sutton rides – and not Sean Bowen – as his parents own the horse.
Recommendation: Starzand - Evens with bet365
2:02pm Leicester - Heeztheboy
A market move for Lac De Constance would be significant in a terrific 2m6f+ handicap chase, while Jipcot is entitled to come on for his Ayr reappearance when third from a 1lb lower mark at the beginning of the month. My one concern is the distance, as this trip stretches his stamina, even though he finished 2l third over three miles over hurdles at Windsor this time last year from a 4lbs higher mark.
I want to have Jipcot on-side this spring, while No Tackle has a course and distance record of 1-3-1, although he is 11lbs higher than when he was last successful here back in February.
I kicked myself for not keeping the faith with HEEZTHEBOY when he beat The Bluesman, who I thought was very well handicapped, over course and distance last month and hope I am not going to the funeral having missed the wedding.
The selection has won four of his five starts over fences for Gary Hanmer, and my immediate reaction after his latest win here over Christmas was that Sean Bowen had given The Bluesman too much to do. On reflection, I thought the winner had a bit in hand and, while he is 33lbs higher in the handicap than when scoring at Hexham in October, he might still be ahead of his mark despite another 7lbs hike since scoring here last time.
Recommendation: Heeztheboy - 2/1 with bet365
In the opener at Newcastle, I may give Selenic another chance for Sir Mark Prescott. Weak in the market, I have watched her Southwell reappearance back half a dozen times and still can't work out if she would have won with a clear run.
It is difficult sometimes to know how well Luke Morris is travelling on his mounts, given his ungainly – at best – but effective style of riding, but this well-bred filly is entitled to come on for the run. However, that was over 1m3f, and I am surprised she is dropping down in distance by a furlong.
6:30pm Southwell - Timely Affair (Nap)
I am fascinated to see Whatacracker drop down to a mile for the first time since May 2023. He has been very poorly placed by connections, Mark Walford's string are not firing on all cylinders, and he is invariably given too much to do over further. That said, I still believe a decent horse is trying to get out, and I wonder if he will be ridden forward this evening, although he has been on the go since February. He needs a break, and perhaps connections will give him one after tonight's experiment.
I am sweet on the chance of TIMELY AFFAIR (Nap) despite concerns about his double-figure draw for William Knight. The selection only scrambled home by a head here last time in a 0-50 but the second – Relevant Range – gave the form a boost when scoring here on Saturday evening and carried the nap yesterday - Monday – stepping up in distance at Wolverhampton.
Neill Callan was in the plate here at the beginning of the month, and the selection has only been raised to a mark of fifty-one despite looking a class above the 0-50 level here at the beginning of the month. After just five career starts, the four-year-old is entitled to improve again with just two of those runs on the all-weather since getting a handicap mark.
The selection was beaten three-quarters of a length by Latin on his handicap/AW debut last month in receipt of 6lbs. Still, it is worth noting that the winner is now rated 13lbs higher, while Timely Affair can race from just a 4lbs higher mark and is entitled to come on for that experience/run, his first since June.
A big run from Relevant Range at Dunstall Park on Monday would be a boost to the chances of the selection.
Recommendation: Timely Affair (Nap) - 15/8 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!
Charlie McCann’s Horses to Follow
Last updated, Monday 30 June
Blue Bolt (Three-year-old filly trained by Andrew Balding)
Blue Bolt was beaten more than 5L on her racecourse debut over 7f at Southwell on debut but she has looked a different proposition on turf, with that experience under her belt, winning both starts over a mile at Windsor and Newbury.
Her latest success in a valuable Novice under Colin Keane suggested she was ready for a step up in grade and she holds an entry in the listed Coral Distaff on Eclipse Day at Sandown.
Her Group 1 entry Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September suggests connections are taking it slowly slowly with this daughter of Blue Point - no entry in next week’s Falmouth Stakes - but I am convinced she is at least up to listed level.
Keane was jockey up on the filly as soon as the entries were announced and both turf wins have been gained on good or faster ground. There is a possibility of a shower on Wednesday morning, but the forecast is set fair for the rest of the week.
Gunship (Three-year-old trained by James Ferguson)
Gunship was not guaranteed on breeding to appreciate the step up to a mile-and-a-half at Royal Ascot and so it proved with the dual tapeta winner fading from two out in the King George V Stakes.
It is possible that the Sea The Stars colt will always be a better horse on the all-weather, but he travelled as well as anything save winner Merchant at the Royal meeting. We will know more about his long-term prospects after his next start which is likely to be at Newmarket on the Friday of their July Cup meeting.
That bet365 sponsored contest is one of the hottest three-year-old 10f handicaps of the season and he needs ten to come out to be guaranteed a run, but he remains a colt with plenty more to come, and his next start should tell us whether his best days lie solely on an artificial surface.
The form of his previous three quarters of a length defeat of War Hawk at Newmarket has been franked by the runner up who has since won at Chester and Epsom. He would meet Gunship on 6lbs worse terms if they both faced the starter on the July course.
Midnight Tango (Two-year-old trained by Ed Walker)
Midnight Tango really ought to have won the listed Empress Stakes at Newmarket (July) at the end of June when Kieran Shoemark tried to come from last to first on the wrong side of the track. She passed six of her seven rivals in the last couple of furlongs, and I wonder if the jockey will consider it one that got away.
She has only got a modest Hamilton success to her name, but she is held in some regard by Ed Walker, and she is up to at least listed class. It would be no surprise if she landed a Group race between now and the end of the season with something like the Lowther at York’s Ebor meeting under consideration.
Charles Darwin (Two-year-old trained by Aidan O’Brien)
The “lads” at Ballydoyle nominated Albert Einstein as their Coventry horse over 6f at Royal Ascot after making it two out of two in the Marble Stakes at the Curragh. That left Charles Darwin as their Norfolk representative after his fluent Naas win at the minimum trip.
When Albert Einstein was a late defector ahead of the Coventry, connections gave Gstaad the green light to run on the opening day and left Charles Darwin in the Norfolk rather than “upgrade” him to the Coventry which is widely considered the premier juvenile race of the meeting.
Gstaad duly bolted up by 3l in the Coventry while Charles Darwin landed Thursday’s Norfolk by more than 2l hitting the line hard and giving every impression he would relish another furlong. Aidan O’Brien, it would appear, already has the three best juvenile colts in Europe and it will be fascinating to see how connections keep them apart.
If there is a batting order at present, you feel the yard consider 1) Albert Einstein 2) Charles Darwin and 3) Gstaad. Charles Darwin has the physique of a four-year-old let alone a two-year-old and a crack at the Group 1 Nunthorpe over 5f at York in August was muted given the weight-for-age allowance juveniles receive against their elders.
I would prefer the son of No Nay Never to step back up to six furlongs next time, but you get the impression that Albert Einstein will dictate and be campaigned as the yard’s number one until results say otherwise.
As a half-brother to the yard’s dual Group1 winning juvenile Blackbeard, Charles Darwin is not guaranteed to train on next term, but I am convinced he will win at the top table between now and the end of the season.
Aeronautic (Four-year-old trained by Joseph O’Brien)
The lightly- raced Aeronautic finished fifth in the 1m6f Copper Horse Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot for Joseph O’Brien who endured such a frustrating week.
The stable had four winners in Ireland on Saturday, and most of their Ascot team ran terrific races in defeat with six finishing in the first four of their respective races.
Aeronautic was no match for French Master at Ascot but ran a cracking race on the quickest ground he has encountered to date. He was beaten less than 4l in the Copper Horse over that mile-and-three-quarter trip and I wonder if connections will consider dropping him back in distance at some time given how well he travelled on that occasion.
After just six career starts the son of Gleneagles has a big race in him between now and the end of the season. The Ebor and Melbourne Cup were races connections may have had in mind for the gelding had he won at Ascot, but I am still convinced there is a big pot to be had with the gelding this term and he won’t go up the weights for finishing fifth.
Classic Encounter (Three-year-old trained by George Boughey)
Classic Encounter was weak in the market, then backed near the off at Newcastle on his first start for George Boughey and belated seasonal reappearance.
He was squeezed out at the start of that hot Novice contest before making good late headway into a never nearer fifth over a mile.
That should have blown the cobwebs away, and I expect him to be more forcefully ridden next time. He will get further than a mile and looks the type to win a maiden/novice on turf in the short turn while he may be eased a couple of pounds from his mark of 82.
He is very much one to keep onside in the months ahead.
Charming Whisper (Three-year-old trained by Charlie McBride)
I appreciate you can go skint backing horses who have been unlucky, but I feel Charming Whisper should have won his last four races for Newmarket handler Charlie McBride.
A winner of two-mile handicaps from marks of 72 and 74 in June, the gelding has met trouble in-running from his last couple of starts over the Bunbury Mile and at Brighton - not convinced he was in love with the track - and I feel he is more than capable of defying his current rating of 80.
A stiff mile on good or faster ground are his optimum conditions, and he is one to keep on the right side of in the short term.
Ride The Thunder (Two-year-old trained by Roger Varian)
He cost 400,000 gns as a yearling and went into my tracker when recovering £1700 of his purchase price when finishing second in a Doncaster Novice to God Of War - had previous experience - on debut over seven furlongs.
I appreciate that the Varian yard lacks consistency, but I will be disappointed if this inmate does not go one better next time. The step up to a mile is likely to suit going forward, although 7f looks his trip in the short term.
Jagwar (Five-year-old trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
Jagwar ran with the choke out at Uttoxeter in their competitive 2m 4f handicap hurdle last weekend and a blunder two out put paid to his chance. He was beaten 10L at the line, but he travelled like a well-handicapped horse for much of the race and the hope is that he will eventually cut out the jumping issues that have blunted his progression to this point. He was dropped 1lb to a mark of 118 by the handicapper after Uttoxeter.
Better ground should suit this spring and I wonder if he might be worth a try back at the minimum trip. The conditional jockeys’ event at Aintree might enter calculations at next month’s National meeting.
Merry Monty (Seven-year-old trained by Chris Down)
Merry Monty looked the type to improve for the switch to fences, and he shaped with considerable promise on his chase debut at Exeter over 2m 3f on New Year’s Day, giving every indication that he would improve again when stepped up in trip.
The gelding showed his first form when runner up - also at Exeter - on his penultimate start over timber when he jumped his hurdles as if he had been previously schooled over fences. He is likely to be nudged up the weights from his mark of eighty, but he would have won at Exeter granted another twenty yards, and I will be disappointed if he isn’t bordering on three figures by the end of the season.
Frederick Daly (7lb Claimer)
It is rare to be as impressed with a jockey, especially one who arguably won by too far, having his first ride under rules. Still, I was blown away by the quiet style of amateur Daly, who rode Golden Shot to win the amateur riders’ event at Ffos Las on Monday for Sir Mark Prescott. As Ian Bishop might have said: “Frederick Daly - remember the name”.
The 16-year-old was as polished in his postrace interview with Sky Sports Racing as he was in the saddle, and he suggested that he would spend little time as an amateur and would soon be turning professional.
His 7lb claim is likely to prove very popular when that happens. However, you get the impression that his father, who I remember as a former assistant trainer in Newmarket, and Sir Mark Prescott will manage his progression diligently as he works through his claim.
It might be daft to draw such conclusions after just the one ride, and he never had to get serious on the 29L winner, but there was just something about his style that suggested he was no ordinary amateur jockey. I, for one, will be monitoring his progress and will take note to see if other trainers book the jockey for similar contests in the short term.
Royal Rhyme (Three-year-old trained by Karl Burke)
Goodwood was largely a disappointment, with the rain putting a dampener on proceedings on and off the track. The week was summed up when the last three races were abandoned on the Saturday as the rain returned in spades.
On the track, the highlights were the continued brilliance of Paddington in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday, but he must play second fiddle to Royal Rhyme, who showed himself to be a Group horse when running away with what is invariably a competitive three-year-old handicap.
The handicapper has seen fit to raise him 13lbs to a mark of 108 for his six-and-a-half length romp, while his winning time was three seconds quicker than that clocked by Al Husn in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes later in the card. His record on soft ground reads played three won three, with those successes coming by an aggregate of 12 lengths.
He remains one to keep on side granted soft ground this autumn. His stablemate Triple Time, likely to reappear at Deauville on Sunday, did us a huge favour when landing the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot at 33/1. Royal Rhyme is currently the same price for the Champion Stakes with Ladbrokes and Coral at Newmarket in October. Granted soft ground, he certainly won’t be that price if he faces the starter.
Diamond Ri (Four-year-old trained by Joe Tizzard)
Diamond Ri tanked through a Warwick Bumper on his racecourse debut to score by a long-looking thirteen lengths. The winning time was five-and-a-half seconds than the first division half an hour later.
The Tizzard yard does not have too many Bumper winners, but the yard can dare to dream over the summer that they have something to go to war with as a novice hurdler next term. His win came on soft ground, and his action and breeding suggest plenty of cut will suit going forward. Not one for the short term, but one for next season.
About Charlie McCann
Seven years as talkSPORT racing correspondent/tipster who recently spent over a decade as Director Of PR/Communications for a couple of leading igaming operators.
Failed cricketer - I regularly bore people, myself included, with the story about how I caught Imran Khan when 12th Man for Lancashire v Sussex as a youth - former National League Basketball player - once scored 72 points in a game - and lifelong and long-suffering Everton supporter.
Many of my old friends - and I mean old - would tell you I was a better footballer than a cricketer - but cricket was my first love. Horse racing has long been my passion - ironic as I’ll never pass the vet again as my sports injuries have come back to bite - with my specialism handicap chases over jumps and 1m+ handicaps on the level.
I have met many of the great and good in the game and consider myself to have been very fortunate. Please always bet within your means and never chase your losses.
Be Lucky.
You can follow Charlie McCann 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.
