Sunday racing tips for Cheltenham, Musselburgh, Catterick, Exeter and Southwell
- Planet Sport writer
- 31 December 2022
The Planet Sport tipsters will be looking to kick off 2023 in style as they search for winners at Cheltenham, Musselburgh, Catterick, Exeter and Southwell on Sunday, January 1.
It's the start of a New Year, and the perfect time to line your pockets ahead of a busy season in 2023.
First up a bit of detail on our highlighted tips, you can get the full list of selections at the bottom of the page.
Remember you can check out the racecards, results and live odds in the
Planet Sport racing live centre.
14:30 (Cheltenham) I Like To Move It
I Like To Move It can bring in the new year by striking Cheltenham gold for the fourth time in the [email protected] Relkeel Hurdle.
Trained locally by Nigel Twiston-Davies, he was well beaten on his first visit to Prestbury Park in the 2021 Champion Bumper, but is three from four at the track over hurdles.
I Like To Move It looked an improved performer when making a successful start to his season in the prestigious Greatwood Hurdle - an impressive victory which earned him a 10lb hike in the ratings, giving connections little option but to campaign him in Graded company.
The returning Grade One-winning mare Marie's Rock and Elite Hurdle victor Knappers Hill are both worthy opponents, but the Twiston-Davies runner is expected to come out on top.
13:20 (Cheltenham) Monmiral
Monmiral gets the nod in what is an intriguing renewal of the Paddy Power Novices' Chase - a Grade Two contest better known as the Dipper.
There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from the Grade One-winning hurdler's chasing debut at Warwick when runner-up to top-class novice Jonbon.
He was not a match for the winner that day, but stuck to his task well in the straight after getting outpaced and in the end was beaten seven lengths.
Monmiral is bound to improve for that run fitness-wise and a step up in distance is also likely to see him in a better light.
13:35 (Musselburgh) Minella Drama
Minella Drama rates the best bet at Musselburgh in the Fitzdares 'Auld Reekie' Handicap Chase.
Donald McCain's charge makes his first appearance in handicap since making a successful chasing debut at Uttoxeter in October of last year and is only 2lb higher in the weights.
Since then Minella Drama has kept good company and managed to win a Grade Two prize as a novice last season.
So far this term the Flemensfirth gelding has finished fourth in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle and third behind the high-class Hitman in a graduation chase at Haydock.
He has a little less on his plate in Scotland and can make the most of the opportunity.
12:40 (Catterick) Lady Mendoza
Rebecca Menzies has enjoyed a fruitful festive period so far and is expected to be among the winners at Catterick, with Lady Mendoza of clear interest in the Happy New Year Novices' Hurdle.
The Irish point-to-point winner travelled really well for a long way on her rules debut at Newcastle before eventually being reeled in by odds-on favourite I Am Gonna Be.
Lady Mendoza can only improve on that effort and could be capable of showing her male counterparts the way home in North Yorkshire.
12:55 (Exeter) Annie Magic
Annie Magic looks capable of defying top-weight in the Racing TV HD On Sky 426 Mares' Handicap Hurdle at Exeter.
Another winner on the Irish point scene, this daughter of Westerner was second here on her hurdling bow before readily going one better in the fog at Wincanton last time.
She enters the handicap arena on a perch of 119, which could underestimate her potential.
14:16 (Southwell) Mayfair Gold
The best bet on the all-weather at Southwell is Alan King's Mayfair Gold in the talkSPORT Powered By Fans Fillies' Handicap.
Second in novice and maiden company, she again had to make do with the silver medal when touched off by Starshiba on her handicap debut at Lingfield.
It may have been a closer run thing had she not hung off the bend and with this track perhaps more suitable, she can open her account under Hollie Doyle.
Sunday's selections in full:
CATTERICK: 12.40 Lady Mendoza, 1.15 Just Jess, 1.50 Bardenstown Lad, 2.25 Matchless, 3.00 Maid Of Houxty, 3.35 Coup De Gold.
CHELTENHAM: 12.10 Weveallbeencaught, 12.45 Secret Reprieve, 1.20 Monmiral, 1.55 War Lord, 2.30 I LIKE TO MOVE IT (NAP), 3.05 Jet Of Magic, 3.40 Meatloaf.
EXETER: 12.20 Marco Island, 12.55 Annie Magic, 1.30 Hugos New Horse, 2.05 How Will I Know, 2.40 Southern Sam, 3.15 Calvinist, 3.50 Wrappedupinmay.
FAIRYHOUSE: 12.15 Pink In The Park, 12.50 Nine Graces, 1.25 Musta Lovea Lovea, 2.00 Elusive Sea, 2.35 Dolcita, 3.10 James Du Berlais, 3.45 Banjaxed.
FAKENHAM: 12.35 Lord Sparky, 1.10 Balgowan, 1.45 Colemanstown Lad, 2.20 Revasser, 2.55 Johnson's Blue, 3.30 Hey Frankie.
MUSSELBURGH: 12.25 Freddy Robinson, 1.00 Cosmic Outlaw, 1.35 Minella Drama, 2.10 Everyday Champagne, 2.45 Homme Public, 3.20 Findthetime.
SOUTHWELL: 2.16 Mayfair Gold, 2.51 Chantreys, 3.26 Mac Ailey, 3.56 Manaafith, 4.26 Pay For Adaay, 4.56 Fine Wine, 5.26 Thrilla In Manila, 5.56 Golden Chain.
TRAMORE: 11.55 Quais De Paris, 12.30 Ahead Of The Posse, 1.05 Lisnagar Fortune, 1.40 Lake Chad, 2.15 Stattler, 2.50 Golf Marin, 3.25 Aodhan May.
