Who To Follow At Cheltenham On New Year's Day - 01/01/23

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson sends a strong team of runners to Cheltenham on New Year's Day and with that in mind he is the trainer to follow across the day.

In the opener he fields the potentially talented Firestep who has not been seen for 651 days but has been tipped to be a very nice horse.

One of the big races of the day is the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase and Fantastic Lady looks to be of some value at 14/1.

Two of the Seven Barrows' yard best chances on the afternoon come in the Grade Two Relkeel Hurdle with Marie's Rock and First Street both holding leading chances in the race.

Henderson' final runner of the afternoon is Call Me Lord who is looking for redemption in the three mile Handicap Hurdle.

The trainer heads into the meeting sporting a strike rate of 19% having had eight winners from his last 42 runners.

Harry Cobden

Harry Cobden has a nice book of rides at Cheltenham on New Year's Day starting in the opener with Iliko D'Olivate, who could turn out to be another bright star for the Ditcheat yard.

Cobden then sits on Switch Hitter who should strip much fitter for his last run at Cheltenham in December and then the rider could be on his biggest chance of the afternoon with Monmiral in the Grade Two Dipper Novices' Chase.

Il Ridoto is looking for big race glory in the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase needing to price he can stay out the trip and then in the Relkeel Hurdle, Knappers Hill steps back up in trip looking for more Group Two glory.

The rider gets the leg up on Jet Of Magic who looks to have a solid each way chance in the three mile Handicap hurdle ane then in the lucky last, Meatloaf is looking to make it 2/2 in bumpers.