ITV Racing Tips for Today - Monday 29th December

There are a bumper eight live races on ITV for Monday's racing from Newbury, Doncaster, Leopardstown and Kelso. With Grade One races from Newbury and Leopardstown. We've gone through all the live races and picked out our selections and tips for the afternoon.

Only The Bold 5/1

Hasn’t been out of the frame recently and arrives in this Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase off the back of a couple of solid efforts, including a gritty third at Sandown last time out where he was finishing with plenty of zest over a similar stamina-sapping trip – that kind of form in staying chases is exactly what this 3m1f test at Newbury demands.

Rated 130 and carrying a sensible weight under Gavin Sheehan for Jamie Snowden, he’s only 2lb higher than when scoring over fences in the past, and that suggests the handicapper hasn’t blown him out of contention despite his age.

He offers decent each-way value if the ground stays on the softer side and he can tap into that staying power when it matters most.

Spindleberry 11/10

The one they all have to beat in the Sky Sports Racing Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase at Doncaster. The seven-year-old mare, trained by Willie Mullins for a yard that knows how to win big prizes, is unbeaten in her four starts over fences and looks to have taken to chasing like a natural – a record that includes a Grade 1 success over 2m4f at Fairyhouse and a comfortable Listed victory on her reappearance at Clonmel last time out.

With a rating around the top of the field and Danny Mullins in the saddle, she’s proven on soft and yielding going and has shown both class and consistency in staying company, which counts for plenty in this 2m4f test.

At around even money and bidding to go 5-from-5 over fences, she’s the type you’d expect to be prominent throughout and roll forward again, making her a compelling fancy to justify favouritism.

Andashan 13/2

Andashan is very much one to keep on the right side at Newbury, stepping up in trip to around 2m4f where his recent form suggests he’ll appreciate the extra stamina test. The 5-year-old scored as a novice over 2m and has been knocking on the door in decent handicaps this season, finishing second over 2m3f on good-to-soft ground last time out — a performance that hinted he’s ready to go one better if he can transfer that effort to slightly further.

With an official rating of 127 and Freddie Gordon in the saddle for trainer Chris Gordon, he’s well-handicapped on his placed efforts and could outrun his odds if the ground stays testing and he settles well throughout.

Given his consistency and proven ability to go close at this track and trip, Andashan has every chance of getting his head in front in what looks a competitive but crackable contest.

Lossiemouth 8/13

Sets the bar here and looks the one to beat with good reason. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old arrives off the back of a commanding victory in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, where she bolted up and showed she’s still top-class over the minimum trip, making her second-up record a real selling point in a race that often favours proven Grade 1 hurdlers.

Ridden by Paul Townend, she boasts a high cruising speed and the confidence that comes from winning 12 of her 15 starts, and she’s currently topping the market as favourite, which always counts for plenty in a big-race heat at the Christmas Festival.

With rivals Brighterdaysahead and Anzadam offering threats, Lossiemouth’s blend of experience, recent elite-level form and race-winning temperament makes her a compelling fancy to justify that favouritism and land another Grade 1 scalp on Monday.

Stone's Throw 9/2

Looks a very solid player in the Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle and could be the one to dust off a tricky field over 3 m 84 yards at Doncaster. After a disappointing spring spell, he bounced right back to form with a decisive success at Southwell over a similar trip last time out, cruising clear by around three lengths and showing he stays the extra distance really well — a definite plus given this contest’s stamina test.

The 5-year-old is lightly raced for a hurdler of his ability and still unexposed at staying trips, and although he’s been raised 5 lb for that latest victory, the manner of that win suggests he can cope with this mark if he continues to progress.

With James Bowen booked to ride and the horse holding attractive quotes in the early markets, there’s a solid case to be made here — particularly if he can replicate his strong finish and settle prominently throughout.

No Drama This End 4/6

Looks a standout here, and there’s plenty in his short but high-class profile to justify the strong market support. The Paul Nicholls-trained 5-year-old has taken his hurdling career by storm, winning both of his starts over obstacles in impressive fashion – including a commanding success at Sandown last time out where he cruised clear by five lengths under Harry Cobden, despite carrying a penalty.

Rated comfortably above most of his rivals on official form and boasting a striking progression from novice to Grade 1-class form already, he’s proven he handles a stamina test around this 2m4f trip and takes well to a decent galloping track.

With Nicholls boasting a superb record in this race in recent years and Cobden’s confident handling expected to put him in the right spot early, No Drama This End ticks both the form and temperament boxes you want for a big-race favourite – making him the one they have to beat in a hot renewal.

Baratablet 6/4

Baratablet looks a very live contender in the 2 m 6 f Chas Handicap at Kelso, and there’s genuine substance behind his position at the head of the market. The 5-year-old gelding resumed in fine style with a clear success over 2 m 4 f at Newcastle just 18 days ago, showing he’s primed and ready to go for this assignment and now unbeaten in three of his last five starts over hurdles.

Trainer Nicky Richards has him in excellent form, and jockey Danny McMenamin gets the leg-up, combining to secure a comfortable handicap win that suggests this step up in trip won’t be beyond him.

With a rating of 120 and solid soft-ground credentials — a key factor at Kelso in the winter — he’s very much the one to beat if he can carry his recent sharp form into this slightly longer test, making him a compelling fancy to go in again.

Newton Tornado 9/4

Heads into this as the current market favourite for good reason — the 6-year-old arrives on the back of some very consistent chasing form, including a commanding win at Bangor-on-Dee where he jumped well and powered clear by nine lengths on heavy ground, showing he stays this sort of trip and conditions perfectly.

Trained by Rebecca Curtis and partnered again by Ben Jones, he’s dropped only marginally in the weights compared with his rivals and boasts a solid sequence of placed efforts before that Bangor success — the sort of consistent form that appeals in a competitive handicap.

Has a proven ability to make the running and keep going to the line, he looks to have the class edge if he can replicate his best, making him very much the one they have to catch in this tricky staying chase at Newbury.

We've put together some of the best bookmaker offers and promotions ahead of Monday's racing offering free bets for the start of the week's racing action.

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