Silks & Shenanigans: The Mud, The Magic, and The Miracle at Leopardstown and Todays Tips – January 28th

Welcome back to the blog, racing fans! If you’ve looked out the window lately, you might have thought we were preparing for a regatta rather than the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival.

But as the saying goes: “The rain may fall, but the show must go on.” Here is the lowdown on the current state of play at Leopardstown as we head into one of the most prestigious weekends in the National Hunt calendar.

🌊 Storm Chandra vs. The Grounds Team

It’s been a week for the history books, and not necessarily for the right reasons. Storm Chandra decided to gatecrash the party, dumping a staggering 60mm of rain on the track in a single 24-hour window this Monday. To put that in perspective, that’s nearly a month’s worth of rain in one go, bringing the 12-day total to a soaked 165mm.

By Tuesday morning, parts of the track, specifically the low-lying areas near the Foxrock entrance, were officially waterlogged. For a moment, “unraceable” was the word on everyone’s lips.

Leopardstown Race Course

🏗️ The Drainage Miracle

However, if you ever needed proof that Leopardstown has one of the best grounds teams in the world, this is it. Lead by new CEO Mark Clayton and the expertise of clerk Paddy Graffin, the crew has been working overtime to battle the elements.

  • Fresh Ground: The team has strategically saved the “middle line” for the hurdle track—ground that hasn’t been touched in ages—to ensure the horses have the best possible footing despite the deluge.
  • Infrastructure at Work: Recent years of redevelopment and drainage upgrades are being put to the ultimate test. While the M50 was practically a canal on Tuesday, the track’s drainage systems have already seen water levels drop significantly as the storm clears.
  • Current Going (As of Tuesday Night): * Hurdle Track: Soft to Heavy.
  • Chase Track: Yielding to Soft (the Chase course always drains a bit faster!).

“The storm is blowing through, and we’re confident. I’m not sure many tracks in Britain or Ireland could take this volume of rain and still be standing.” — Mark Clayton, Leopardstown CEO.

🐎 The Shenanigans: Who’s Staying Grounded?

The testing conditions are already shaking up the markets.

  • The Marine Nationale Dilemma: Owner Barry Connell has been honest, his superstar doesn’t love the deep stuff. He’s “playing it by ear” for the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, hoping for the ground to dry back to a “reasonable surface.”
  • The Stalwarts: Expect the mud-larks to be shortening in the betting. With eight Grade 1s on the line, including the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, we’re looking for horses with serious “engine” and stamina to burn.

🎟️ Essential Intel for Racegoers

If you’re heading out this weekend, remember:

  1. Ticket Only: There are no walk-ups this year! The event is ticket-only to ensure everyone stays comfortable (and hopefully dry).
  2. The Wardrobe: It’s “Silks and Shenanigans,” but let’s be practical—wellies and tweed are the winning combo for 2026.
  3. The Outlook: The heaviest rain has passed. Met Éireann is forecasting a drying trend toward the weekend, meaning we might just see some “Soft” appearing back on the going stick by Saturday.

The verdict? It’s going to be testing, it’s going to be gritty, but thanks to the heroic efforts of the Leopardstown grounds team, it’s going to be spectacular.

With Leicester abandoned due to the heavy rain (no surprise given the deluge we discussed in Leopardstown!), the focus for tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, shifts entirely to the All-Weather under the lights at Kempton Park and the afternoon action at Dundalk.

Here are the updated Timeform “Naps” and highest-rated runners now that the mud-fest at Leicester is off.

🕒 Timeform’s Best Bets (The Updated Naps)

With the turf out of the equation, the “Smart Stats” and “Analyst Verdicts” are strongly siding with these three:

  • The Day’s Best (Nap): Savannah Grey (20:00 Kempton) She is the clear standout for the night. She won a 4-runner novice at Chelmsford with plenty in hand last time and makes her handicap debut off what looks like a very lenient mark of 75. Timeform has her “Small P” (likely to improve).
  • The Dundalk Special: Arrietty (16:32 Dundalk) Joseph O’Brien’s filly is the highest-rated maiden on the card. She was a bit tardy from the stalls last time, but the Timeform verdict suggests she is the clear class act in this field if she gets a clean break.
  • The “Weight of Money” Shout: Rising Force (18:30 Kempton) Darryll Holland’s gelding is chasing a hat-trick and has been the subject of early market support. He carries a 5lb penalty for a recent Lingfield win but is officially “4lb well-in” according to Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings.

📈 Top Rated Horses (Kempton & Dundalk)

If you’re looking for the horses with the highest Master Rating (the “pure speed” figures), these are the ones to beat:

The “Shenanigans” Play

Keep an eye on Aneirin’s Sword (18:00 Kempton). Jamie Osborne’s yard is in flying form, and this horse shared the spoils in a dead-heat at Chelmsford recently. Timeform’s “Price Hint” suggests he might drift early before being backed heavily right before the off, a classic “shenanigans” move to watch for in the betting ring.

Sir Gino’s Pelvic Blow Rocks Seven Barrows: Full Career History & Your Best Bets for Tomorrow’s Racing 27 January

The racing world has been deeply affected by the news regarding Sir Gino, the exceptionally talented but ill-fated star of Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard. Following his injury at Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day, here is a comprehensive look at his career history, his current status, and the outlook for tomorrow’s racing.

Sir Gino: A Champion’s Spirit, A Long Road Ahead

The atmosphere at Cheltenham turned from anticipation to somber concern this past Saturday when Sir Gino, the heavy favorite for the Unibet Hurdle and a leading hope for the Champion Hurdle, was pulled up sharply by Nico de Boinville.

The Rise and Trials of Sir Gino: A Full History

Sir Gino’s career has been a blend of breathtaking dominance on the track and heartbreaking misfortune off it. Born in France and sired by It’s Gino, he arrived in Britain with the reputation of a potential superstar.

2023: The French Debut and Arrival

Sir Gino first served notice of his talent in April 2023 at Auteuil, winning the Listed Prix Wild Monarch on heavy ground by a staggering margin. This performance caught the eye of bloodstock agent Jerry McGrath, leading to his purchase by Joe and Marie Donnelly and his relocation to Nicky Henderson.

2024: Brilliance and the “Cheltenham Cloud”

His first season in Britain was nothing short of flawless:

  • December 2023: He made a winning debut for Henderson at Kempton, showing a “scary” turn of foot.
  • January 2024: He established himself as the Triumph Hurdle favorite by demolishing the highly-rated Burdett Road by 10 lengths at Cheltenham.
  • The Festival Heartbreak: Despite being the shortest-priced favorite of the week, Sir Gino was a high-profile absentee from the Cheltenham Festival after the Henderson yard fell under a “respiratory cloud.”
  • April 2024: He gained redemption at Aintree, winning the Grade 1 Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle comfortably to remain unbeaten (4-for-4).

2025: Setbacks and the Resurrection

Last season was supposed to be his transition to the elite “Open” category, but disaster struck early.

  • The Infection: He developed a life-threatening infection in the ligaments of his near hind leg, which required six weeks of hospitalization and ruled him out for the entire 2024/25 campaign.
  • The Comeback: On Boxing Day 2025, he returned after a 12-month absence to win the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, looking better than ever and cementing his place as the main threat to the Champion Hurdle crown.

Current Status: The Latest from Nicky Henderson

The events of Saturday, January 24, 2026, have put a halt to those dreams once again. While traveling strongly in the Unibet Hurdle, Sir Gino was pulled up sharply by Nico de Boinville.

  • Injury Update: Scans at the Three Counties Veterinary Clinic confirmed a fractured pelvis (two fracture lines).
  • Recovery: Henderson’s assistant, George Daly, reported the horse is “bright” and “comfortable.” While he is out for the rest of the 2026 season, the vet team believes he could make a full recovery given his age and constitution.
  • The Irony: This injury is to his right hind leg—the opposite of the leg that suffered the infection last year.

Nicky Henderson’s Reflections

The trainer was visibly moved when discussing the horse, who has faced an incredibly unlucky run of health issues despite his immense talent. Henderson’s assistant, George Daly, recently shared a photo of the horse looking “bright,” a small but meaningful comfort for the team at Seven Barrows and his owners, Joe and Marie Donnelly.

“He’s a poor boy who spent most of last year in hospital, and he’s going to spend most of it there this year as well. But if he can come back, he will. If he can’t, he’ll be looked after forever.” — Nicky Henderson

Tomorrow’s Racing: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

While the sport digests the Sir Gino news, the action continues tomorrow with cards at Chepstow, Wolverhampton, and Hereford.

Timeform Naps & Best Rated Horses

The “Timeform Nap”: All eyes are on Charisma Cat (15:12 Chepstow). After a dominant win last time out, the handicapper has raised him, but the manner of that victory suggests he has plenty more in the locker. He is the clear pick for tomorrow’s “best bet.”

Timeform Best Bets (Chepstow)

• Value Play: Genietoile (15:47 Chepstow) – Priced at 8/1. He is noted as a “small p” horse (meaning he is open to significant improvement) and the step up to three miles is expected to suit him.

Mud, Mystery, and Metaphorical Holes: The Naas-to-Cheltenham Dispatch

Grab your binoculars and a stiff drink, or perhaps a miner’s lamp, given the state of things. If you thought the road to the Cheltenham Festival was a straight line, this weekend just proved it’s more of a zig-zag through a swamp, occasionally interrupted by a literal abyss in the ground.

From the bog at Naas to the “Twilight Zone” finale at Prestbury Park, here is the insider track on who’s booking their tickets to the Cotswolds and who’s falling through the cracks.

The Naas Nuggets: Who Booked Their Ticket?

Naas today was less of a racecourse and more of a testing ground for amphibious vehicles. But amidst the flying clods of Irish turf, a few stars emerged from the gloom:

  • Shuttle Diplomacy (The Cooper Special): Thomas Cooper’s charge was the name on everyone’s lips after the 13:55. Taking down a Mullins hotpot in Arcadian Emperor, this horse showed the kind of “grit-and-grunt” required for a wet Wednesday at the Festival. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle markets are twitching; he’s got that high cruising speed that breaks hearts.
  • Kai Lung (The Mullins Juggernaut): Opening the card at 12:55, Danny Mullins guided this one home with clinical precision. It wasn’t flashy, but in heavy ground, “efficient” is the new “electric.” He looks a typical Boodles (Fred Winter) type, tough, unexposed, and likely to be targeted at a handicap where he can carry a bit of weight through the mud.
  • Love Sign D’aunou: If you like your winners “easy,” this was the one. Willie Mullins and son Patrick combined in the bumper to win by a country mile. The Champion Bumper beckons, and while the “Silks and Shenanigans” crew usually looks for value, it’s hard to bet against the Closutton machine when they travel that smoothly on heavy ground.

The “Cheltenham Hole” & The Photo-Finish From Hell

While Naas provided the facts, Cheltenham yesterday provided the “shenanigans.”

The Abyss at the Second-Last: In a scene more suited to a construction site than a Grade 2, a mysterious hole (likely a collapsed drain) appeared right next to the second-last hurdle before the finale. The ground staff were seen literally “arm-deep” in the track trying to find the bottom of it.

  • The fallout: Nicky Henderson, playing it safe as always, pulled out the favorite Act Of Innocence. To be honest it was to do with the ground. The rail was frantically moved three yards out, causing a nearly 30-minute delay.

The “Can’t See My Hand In Front Of My Face” Finish: Because of the delay, the AIS Novices’ Hurdle was run in what can only be described as “pure darkness.” When Kripticjim and Harry Redknapp’s Taurus Bay hit the line together, the high-tech photo-finish cameras were essentially useless, it was too dark for the sensors to catch a clear image.

The Controversy: The judge had to rely on grainy TV footage to call a short-head victory for Kripticjim. Ben Pauling (trainer of Taurus Bay) was understandably frustrated, but in a display of sportsmanship (or perhaps just exhaustion), he conceded the video looked conclusive enough. Expect a very thorough investigation from Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin this week; the “Cheltenham Hole” cannot become a recurring character at the Festival.


Expect a very thorough investigation from Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin this week; the “Cheltenham Hole” cannot become a recurring character at the Festival.

Timeform Naps & Top Ratings (Monday, Jan 26)

If you’re looking to rebuild the betting bank tomorrow, Timeform has flagged these as the ones the “clever money” is watching:

14:30

Hereford

Ski Lodge

NAP (Strong form, relishes the testing ground)

16:30

Hereford

Princess Keri

Top Rated (Ahead of the handicapper)

14:00

Hereford

Draco Malfoy

Smart Stat (High cruising speed, big threat)

16:25

Wolverhampton

Okami

All-Weather Best (Strong Timeform Verdict)

The “Shenanigans” Watchlist

  • Sir Gino: The biggest heartbreak of the weekend. Pulling up at Cheltenham with an injury is never what you want to see for a horse of his calibre. The “New Lion” might have won the Unibet Hurdle, but the shadow of Sir Gino’s health looms large over the Champion Hurdle market.
  • Maestro Conti: Dan Skelton’s juvenile looked the real deal in the Triumph Trial. He did plenty wrong and still won. That’s the hallmark of a horse with a massive engine, keep him on your radar for the Friday opener.

The Inside Track: UK & Irish Racing – January 25, 2026 – Sir Gino Update

Well, here we are, folks! Another Sunday of winter jumping is upon us, and as always, the UK and Irish racing scenes are buzzing with potential thrills and spills. While the headlines today might not scream “Cheltenham Gold Cup,” there’s still plenty to chew on, from promising novices to handicappers looking to defy the odds. So, grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s dive into the insider’s view of today’s action, with a quick look back at a rising star who’s got everyone talking – Sir Gino.

Naas: A Day for the Brave on Heavy Ground

The Co. Kildare track is serving up a classic winter’s day – heavy ground and plenty of tests for stamina and jumping prowess. This is where horses with guts truly shine, and a strong gallop will be essential.

12:55 Maiden Hurdle: The opener looks intriguing. Keep a close eye on Mon Creuset. This one has been doing all the right things at home, and the heavy ground should suit his breeding. While the Timeform boys have him top-rated, the market can often tell a tale in these maiden races. Any significant drift would make me wary, but if he’s backed, he could be a solid starting point for your Sunday punting.

13:25 Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle: This is where the quality steps up. We’re looking for genuine Grade 3 performers. I’m listening to whispers about a horse who has been flying under the radar. Not one of the obvious favourites, but a dark horse with a strong trainer who’s been targeting this race. Without naming names, if you see a horse who’s been showing flashes of brilliance in slightly lesser company, taking a step up in trip, and the market is firming up… pay attention. The insiders are often privy to these “planned attacks.”

14:55 Handicap Hurdle (Timeform Nap): All eyes on Love Sign D’aunou, Timeform’s Nap of the Day. At roughly even money, the bookies certainly agree. This horse has been knocking on the door, and the heavy ground is a big plus. When Timeform puts their reputation on the line with a Nap, it’s usually for a good reason – they’ve identified a horse who is well-handicapped or simply superior to its rivals under today’s conditions. It’s tough to go against their top pick here, especially with the confidence behind it.

15:25 Grade 3 Novice Chase: Flicker Of Hope is the standout here with a TFR of 142. He comes into this off a C&D win, which is always a massive advantage, particularly on heavy ground where course experience counts for so much. His jumping should be sound, and if he gets into a rhythm, he’ll be a tough nut to crack. This is a progressive sort, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the step up in grade. He certainly has the profile of a future star.

Sedgefield: Northern Charm and a Handicap Highlight

Over in the North East, Sedgefield offers a slightly different flavour of racing, often characterised by competitive handicaps and horses who relish this specific track.

14:40 Novice Hurdle: Kazar Forez is the one to beat here at 8/13. Trainer confidence and ability often shine through in these novice contests, and this horse has been showing good form. Expect him to be prominent and make all the running if he’s on song.

15:10 Handicap Hurdle: This is the feature race at Sedgefield today and where we find Indian River, Timeform’s top pick with a TFR of 129p. The ‘p’ suffix indicates potential for further improvement, which is music to any punter’s ears. He’s clearly got ability, and if he continues to progress as expected, he could be very hard to beat off his current mark. Handicaps are notoriously tricky, but a horse with a ‘p’ and a strong Timeform rating is always worth noting.

🚨 Breaking News: Sir Gino’s Injury Update

The racing world was left in shock yesterday during Cheltenham’s Trials Day (Saturday, Jan 24). Sir Gino, who went into the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle as the 2/5 favorite and the leading hope for the Champion Hurdle, was pulled up sharply just after halfway by Nico de Boinville.

  • The Injury: Nicky Henderson confirmed last night that Sir Gino has suffered a fractured pelvis.
  • Current Status: He was transported directly to the Three Counties Equine Hospital. Henderson reported this morning that the horse is “comfortable and stable,” which is the best news fans could hope for given the severity of a pelvic fracture.
  • The Prognosis: While stable, the prognosis remains “guarded.” He will undergo further scans over the next few days to determine the full extent of the damage.
  • Season Over: This obviously rules him out of the Cheltenham Festival in March, where he was the ante-post favorite for the Champion Hurdle.

🐎 Impact on the Champion Hurdle Market

With Sir Gino sidelined, the betting landscape for the Champion Hurdle has shifted dramatically overnight:

  • Lossiemouth has moved into the 7/4 favorite position (from 13/2).
  • The New Lion, who won yesterday’s race, has seen his odds slashed to 5/2.

Sir Gino isn’t just a talented horse; he was widely considered the “new superstar” of the Henderson yard. The focus today for the Seven Barrows team will be entirely on his recovery rather than the results at Naas or Sedgefield.

Heavy Hearts and Hacking Canters: A Day of High Drama at Cheltenham & Doncaster

There is a specific, heavy silence that descends on Cheltenham when a superstar falters. It’s a silence that drowns out the cheers of the winning enclosure and the frantic scribbling of the bookies. Today, on Festival Trials Day, that silence belonged to Sir Gino.

It was a day defined by the “shenanigans” of tactical warfare, a shocking injury to a champion, and a significant shift in the power dynamics of the National Hunt season.

The Seven Barrows Stall: Sir Gino’s Heartbreak

The script for the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle was simple: Sir Gino, the horse Nicky Henderson famously calls his “Ferrari,” was to cruise to victory in those iconic Mrs. J. Donnelly yellow and black silks.

But racing is rarely simple.

The four-runner field engaged in what can only be described as a tactical farce. They “hacked” around the course at a crawl—Dan Skelton later noted they were barely touching 24mph. It was a game of cat and mouse that left the crowd restless and the horses unextended.

Then came the moment that changed the season. Turning for home at the top of the hill, Sir Gino landed awkwardly after the third-last. Nico de Boinville, a man who knows the heartbeat of his horses better than most, didn’t hesitate. He pulled the 2/5 favorite up immediately.

“It appears to be a pelvic injury. He was able to walk into the ambulance, which is a blessing, but he’s gone straight to the Three Counties Equine Hospital for scans. We just have to keep everything crossed.” — Nicky Henderson

While the Seven Barrows team faces an anxious wait, the racing world is sending nothing but warmth to a horse that has already overcome so much, including a life-threatening infection just a year ago.

The New King of the Jungle?

In the vacuum left by Sir Gino, The New Lion (9/4) showed the grit of a true Champion Hurdle contender. Under a patient Harry Skelton, he mastered Nemean Lion by a length and a half.

It was a “workmanlike” performance, hindered by the slow pace, but his speed after the last flight was undeniable. With Sir Gino’s participation in March now in serious doubt, the markets reacted instantly, slashing The New Lion to a general 5/2 favorite for the Champion Hurdle.

Doncaster: Soft Ground and Stable Success

While the mood was somber in the Cotswolds, the action at Doncaster was relentless. The ground was testing, and the winners had to dig deep.

Sky Bet Chase

Dartmoor Pirate

Rex Dingle / A. Honeyball

A tactical masterclass. Dingle sat off the pace and sliced through the field to win by nearly 4 lengths.

Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle

Feet Of A Dancer

Sean O’Keeffe / P. Fahey

The 7/4 favorite lived up to her billing, outstaying the game Dream On Baby in a finish that required serious stamina.

Handicap Chase (15:13)

Mighty Bandit

James Bowen / W. Greatrex

Convincing. He handled the soft ground better than any and looks like a horse with a huge future in the spring.

The Skelton Double: Dan Skelton capped a bittersweet day by landing the bumper with Diamond Street (5/2f), following up his Cheltenham success. It’s clear the Skelton yard is firing on all cylinders as we approach the business end of the season.

The Verdict: A Day for Perspective

Today was a reminder that in this game, the “shenanigans” of a race can be forgotten in a heartbeat when the welfare of a horse is at stake. The stable silks of Seven Barrows may be heading home with a heavy heart tonight, but the resilience of the racing community is unparalleled.

The Road to Cheltenham has taken a sharp, unexpected turn. The Ferrari is in the garage, and the Lion is roaring.

Danny Mullins is Jockey to watch he has a ride for his mother today, won last Sunday at huge odds.

The Anatomy of Winning Trainers – Breakdown of Results

It was a day of action at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse offering a neat little microcosm of the winter game: dominant yards doing dominant‑yard things, a few upsets to keep the layers honest, and the familiar sight of Willie Mullins casually bending Irish graded races to his will.

Below is the full pundit breakdown, trainer by trainer, trend by trend, and with a little wink to the patterns that keep repeating themselves.

🏇 Cheltenham: Patterns in Precision

Cheltenham’s card delivered a blend of expected winners and eyebrow‑raisers, with several trainers showing why they remain fixtures at the top of the National Hunt ecosystem.

  1. Dan Skelton – Efficiency Mode Activated

Skelton’s team struck early through In The Age, who landed the Happy New Year Novices’ Hurdle at Catterick before the Cheltenham card got rolling Timeform. While not a Cheltenham strike, it set the tone for the day: Skelton’s novices are forward, fit, and running to mark.
At Cheltenham itself, his string maintained consistency across the card, reinforcing the stable’s winter rhythm.

  1. Donald McCain – The Value Sniper

McCain’s Inedit d’Amour popped up at 18/1 in the Maiden Hurdle Timeform—a classic McCain move: take a horse with a bit of French form, place it cleverly, and let the market underestimate it.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a reminder that McCain’s team is quietly excellent at exploiting openings in mid‑tier hurdles.

  1. The Cheltenham Landscape

Across the afternoon, the winning trainers shared a common thread:

  • Horses were fit and forward, not needing the run.
  • Jockey‑trainer partnerships were well‑established, with no experimental pairings.
  • Winners tended to be prominent racers, handling the ground and tempo cleanly.

Cheltenham rewarded professionalism over flair, exactly the sort of day where the top yards quietly pad their seasonal totals.

🇮🇪 Fairyhouse: Mullins, Mullins, Mullins

If Cheltenham was a study in competitive balance, Fairyhouse was a masterclass in Irish hierarchy.

  1. Willie Mullins – The Inevitable Headline

The standout moment came courtesy of Dinoblue, who survived a dramatic last‑fence blunder to win the Grade 3 Mares Chase Southend Echo.

  • Trainer: Willie Mullins
  • Jockey: Mark Walsh
  • Owner: JP McManus
  • Margin: Seven lengths
  • Drama: Enough to make Walsh briefly consider levitation

This was Mullins in microcosm:

  • A short‑priced favourite
  • A moment of chaos
  • A recovery that still results in a comfortable win

Even when things go wrong, they go right.

  1. Gordon Elliott – The Runner‑Up Machine

Elliott’s Shecouldbeanything chased Dinoblue home Southend Echo, continuing a theme of the season: Elliott’s mares are running well, but Mullins’ mares are running better. It’s not a gulf, it’s a gravitational pull.

  1. The Fairyhouse Formula

The day’s results reinforced the Irish winter pattern:

  • Mullins dominates graded races
  • Elliott picks up the pieces and the place money
  • Smaller yards need perfect conditions to land a blow

It’s a familiar script, but one that remains compelling because of the quality on show.

🔍 Trainer Trends: What Yesterday Tells Us

  1. Big Yards Are Peaking Early

Both Cheltenham and Fairyhouse showed that the major operations—Skelton, Mullins, McCain, Elliott, have their strings tuned and firing. No “needing the run” excuses here.

  1. Market Respect Matters

Short‑priced favourites generally justified their positions, with the exception of the occasional McCain‑style ambush.

  1. Mares Are Having a Moment

Dinoblue’s win wasn’t just a Mullins victory, it was another reminder of the depth in the mares’ division this season.

🧩 The Anatomy of Winning Trainers – Summary Table

🎤 Final Word: A Day That Reinforced the Hierarchy

Yesterday didn’t rewrite any narratives, but it sharpened them.

  • Mullins remains the gravitational centre of Irish racing.
  • Skelton and McCain continue to show that English yards can still out‑think the market.
  • Elliott is consistent, competitive, and just one Mullins wobble away from a big run of wins.

It was a day of predictable excellence, occasional surprises, and the kind of trainer patterns that make winter racing such a rich study.

🏔️ The Cheltenham “Trials Day” Special

Grab your binoculars and steady your nerves. Saturday, January 24th, is a proper winter scorcher. While the eyes of the racing world are fixed on the hallowed undulations of Cheltenham for Trials Day, the gritty stamina tests at Doncaster offer plenty of opportunities to catch the bookies cold.

Here is your combined Silks & Shenanigans guide to tomorrow’s high-stakes action.

🏔️ The Main Event: Cheltenham Trials Day

This isn’t just a race meeting; it’s a reconnaissance mission. The ground is currently Soft (Good to Soft in places), and every race on the eight-race card is a literal trial for the Festival in March.

🏆 The Cotswold Chase (14:25)

The big guns are out for this Gold Cup dress rehearsal.

  • The Star: Grey Dawning (4/7) is the one to beat. After a monster win in the Betfair Chase, Dan Skelton’s star is looking to cement his place as Britain’s best hope for the Gold Cup.
  • The Defender: L’Homme Presse won this last year and thrives on the New Course. At around 4/1, he’s the class alternative if you think the favorite is too short. But V Williams strike rate is significantly lower this season.
  • The Irish Raider: Spillane’s Tower makes his first trip across the water this term. He’s a Grade 1 winner who could easily spoil the party.

🥊 The International Hurdle (15:00)

A clash of the titans between Sir Gino and The New Lion. Sir Gino is the current 5/4 favorite for the Champion Hurdle, but he faces a massive test here. Many are calling it a match race, if you’re looking for value, the market may underestimate whichever one isn’t leading at the second last.

🏇 The Best of the Rest: Doncaster & Beyond

While Cheltenham takes the headlines, Doncaster hosts the historic Great Yorkshire Chase (14:05). The ground there is Soft (Heavy in places), so only the toughest mudlarks need apply.

🏆 Great Yorkshire Chase (14:05 Doncaster)

  • The Pick: Grand Geste (5/2) is the Timeform top-rated horse here. He has a high cruising speed and seems perfectly suited for this 3-mile test.
  • The Mudlark: Keep an eye on Josh The Boss. He loves a slog and won impressively at this track back in November.

💎 The “Naps” (Best Bets)

Bet Type

Horse

Race

Why?

The Banker

Grey Dawning

14:25 Cheltenham

The model of consistency. Should handle the soft ground with ease.

The Punt

Uncle Bert

13:15 Cheltenham

Nigel Twiston-Davies is the king of Trials Day. This horse is a course specialist and a steal at 9/1.

The Flat Nap

Highland Crystal

12:20 Doncaster

Timeform’s highest-rated juvenile on the card. Looks to have a gear her rivals lack.

🎰 The “Shenanigans” Longshot

Prairie Wolf (13:15 Cheltenham) Coming in at 14/1, this one is the classic Silks & Shenanigans “each-way sneak.” He’s a tough traveler who has been hitting the frame in big handicaps all season. If the pace collapses up front, expect him to be staying on strongest of all up the hill.

📊 Timeform Best Rated (At a Glance)

  • 14:25 Cheltenham: Grey Dawning (Clear of the field on adjusted figures)
  • 15:00 Cheltenham: Sir Gino (Elite speed figures for his age)
  • 14:05 Doncaster: Grand Geste (Top-rated for the Great Yorkshire Chase)

THE TURF TICKER: “Trials, Tribulations, and Too Much Tweed”

The only blog that likes its odds short and its gin doubles.

Welcome to the January 24, 2026 edition of the Ticker. If you’ve survived the frostbite from last weekend’s Ascot heroics, congratulations. You’re just in time for Cheltenham Trials Day, the annual event where we all pretend we know exactly what will happen in March, only to be proven wrong by a Willie Mullins horse we’ve never heard of.

🏆 THE HEADLINER: Sir Gino vs. The World

The Race: The International Hurdle (Cheltenham)

Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino is currently the 5/4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle. This Saturday, he lines up against Dan Skelton’s The New Lion.

  • The Insider View: If Sir Gino wins by ten lengths, the “Henderson is back” headlines will be visible from space. If he finishes a narrow second, expect the Seven Barrows Twitter account to report a “slight sniffle” or “unfavourable grass length” within minutes.
  • The Reality: We’ll all over-analyze every jump like it’s a Zapruder film, then Sir Gino will go into a dark room until March 10th.

🐎 THE “HYPE TRAIN” STATION: Old Park Star

The Race: Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Haydock)

Nicky Henderson (yes, him again) is sending Old Park Star to Haydock. He’s 2-2 over hurdles and currently the second favorite for the Supreme.

  • The Insider View: This horse is named like a retirement home, but he runs like he’s stolen something.
  • Fact: He’s 7/1 for the Supreme Novices’. If he wins here, those odds will evaporate faster than a free bar at a yearling sale.

🏗️ THE “STAYERS” STRAMASH: Impose Toi

The Race: Cleeve Hurdle (Cheltenham)

JP McManus’s Impose Toi (5/4 fav) is trying to prove he’s the best British hope for the Stayers’ Hurdle. He faces Strong Leader and last year’s winner Gowel Road.

  • The Insider View: Harry Cobden was supposed to ride Jonbon last week but got injured. James Bowen stepped in, won, and probably hasn’t stopped smiling since. Cobden is back this Saturday to partner Ma Shantou in this race, expect him to ride like a man who owes his bookie a very large Christmas card.

🇺🇸 THE “CASH & CHAOS” SPECIAL: Pegasus World Cup

The Race: Gulfstream Park, Florida

For those of you staying up late, the $3 Million Pegasus World Cup is happening. It features Skippylongstocking (making his fourth appearance, the absolute legend) and the undefeated Disco Time.

  • The Insider View: It’s in Miami. There will be more Botox and white linen than a Beverly Hills plastic surgery convention.
  • Fact: White Abarrio is also back. He’s the equine equivalent of a rock star who keeps announcing “farewell tours” but just loves the stage too much.

THE “MUG’S” MULTIPLE (Use at your own peril):

  1. Sir Gino (Cheltenham) – Because betting against Henderson in January is a path to poverty.
  2. Grey Dawning (Cotswold Chase) – The Betfair Chase winner. He’s basically a tank with a tail.
  3. Old Park Star (Haydock) – To keep the Supreme dream alive.