ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Cheltenham and Doncaster on Saturday, January 24

After causing controversy last week by revealing he doesn’t have any sauce on his bacon sandwich, Sport News Blitz’s horse racing tipster Jeff Mexico has now gone and stuck his neck on the culinary block once more.

This week he was spotted tending a huge bonfire, fuelled entirely by Jaffa Cakes. “The most overrated sweet treat ever to go near a cup of tea,” he barked.

And yes, he is prepared to fight you in any Lidl car park to defend this statement.

While we recover from this blasphemy, why not have a look at Jeff’s tips for the eight races ITV are serving up this Saturday afternoon – including two Grade Twos from Doncaster and three G2s from Cheltenham.

Jeff Mexico’s racing tips

I’ve been looking at purchasing a property in Greenland this week. I hear it’s an up-and-coming area and in desperate need of a hipster coffee shop that serves ‘cheeky matchas’.

Granted, I know nothing about setting up my own coffee shop and wouldn’t know what a matcha was if it hit me in the face.

Unlicensed, underground cock fighting or bear baiting is more my thing. There’s plenty of polar bears in Greenland and those Inuits love to gamble, I hear.

I would be raking up the cash in the ‘Fastest seal around the bay race’, until Willie Mullins and Aidan O’Brien rocked up and lured all the best marine mammals to their ports. Those two never miss an opportunity to dominate.

Obviously, I’d be financially ruined and would have to start camping behind the bins at the William Hill in Nuuk. There’s bound to be a Hills in Greenland’s capital, they are bloody everywhere… all smelling faintly of urine. An odour I like.

Anyway, let’s puncture this pleasant daydream by cooking up some tips for this weekend’s action at Cheltenham and Doncaster.

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12:55 (Doncaster) – The River Don Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

Main tip: Country Code

Won both his runs under Rules, including an impressive success at Kelso, so should handle the step up in trip and class well.

Not quite at his peak but progressive, and trainer Ruth Jefferson has won this race before so knows what it takes to bag victory.

Each-way tip: Kicour La

French-bred hurdler has impressively won his only two starts over hurdles on soft/heavy ground, so the ground won’t be a problem.

Steps up in grade for a hat-trick bid, but remains progressive and is very lightly raced compared with many rivals.

13:15 (Cheltenham) – The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase

Main tip: Booster Bob

Won his last start and goes well on soft ground, and Olly Murphy’s yard is adept at getting big performances out of handicappers over this trip.

He’s not at an unmanageable mark for a race like this, and the handicapper may have left him in a competitive slot after his last success.

Sean Bowen takes the seat and will keep him competitive from the front to the finish.

Each-way tip: Uncle Bert

Uncle Bert has shown signs of improving form over fences, and his mark looks workable for a horse stepping up in class slightly.

More rain will suit and with Sam Twiston-Davies on board, there’s a good chance of a place.

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13:30 (Doncaster) – The Yorkshire Rose Mares Hurdle (Grade 2)

Main tip: Feet Of A Dancer

Has run consistently at a good level, including win and placed efforts in graded company.

She showed staying when winning a Listed mares’ hurdle by a wide margin and backed that up with solid performances off higher marks.

Stepping back up to near three miles should suit her staying attributes, especially on the expected soft ground.

Each-way tip: That’ll Do Moss

Has kept good company, placing in conditions and listed company races, showing ability to run well off competitive marks.

Hasn’t won at the highest level, but she’s progressing and should appreciate the step up in trip against similar opposition. Soft ground should be a plus.

13:50 (Cheltenham) – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase

Main tip: Final Orders

Impressive in a December cross-country contest at Cheltenham, so is experienced in handling the unique fences.

His mark shouldn’t be beyond his means here and he’s likely improving for that run.

Each-way tip: Escaria Ten

Not always a front-runner, but jumps well and is racing off a much lower mark compared with the last time he performed here.

Soft conditions will play into his stamina strengths and could outrun his big price.

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14:05 (Doncaster) – The Virgin Bet Great Yorkshire Chase

Main tip: Deep Cave

Arrives here on the back of two consecutive wins, including a tough handicap chase victory at Ascot in December.

Step back up to nearly 3m will suit and his current rating is fully justified by his recent form. Soft ground won’t be a problem.

Each-way tip: Josh The Boss

Has run solidly in good company this season, finishing placed in competitive handicap chases.

His rating suggests he could outrun his price if conditions turn more testing.

14:25 (Cheltenham) – The Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2)

Main tip: Grey Dawning

A top-class staying chaser who won the Turners at Cheltenham in 2024, and scored twice and grabbed a runners-up spot in his three runs in 2025.

Returned this season with a win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock (over a similar staying trip), and the step back up to 3m1f on soft ground will play to his strengths.

Team Skelton also a big plus, so keep an eye on him as a possible Gold Cup contender.

Each-way tip: L’Homme Presse

Won this race previously and loves the rigours of Cheltenham.

Is a solid Grade 2 performer, but his latest couple of runs have been a mixed bag – a second here in December and pulled up at Ascot in February.

Returning to graded company suits him and he rarely runs a bad race back at this level. Has shown he stays strongly when the pace becomes truly testing.

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15:00 (Cheltenham) – The Unibet Hurdle (Grade 2)

Main tip: Sir Gino

Despite the injury that kept him out for a year, Sir Gino returned to win the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and showed he’s still a serious force at this level.

Unbeaten in his six runs, and connections have targeted this race as a key trial for the Champion Hurdle.

The danger comes from the high-class The New Lion, so I’d be tempted to go for a straight forecast to boost your odds as they will be very short for just a Sir Gino win.

Each-way tip: N/A

Don’t bother – Brentford Hope and the Nemean Lion are huge outsiders.

Just make sure you back the correct ‘Lion’ if going for my suggested forecast.

15:35 (Cheltenham) – The Pertemps Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)

Main tip: Impose Toi

Arrives in terrific form, most recently winning a 3m contest at Ascot under Nico de Boinville.

Shows he stays this sort of trip strongly and isn’t fazed by a testing gallop. He’s significantly higher in class than most in this field and appears to be improving.

Each-way tip: Ma Shantou

Stepping up to graded company for the first time, but he arrives here in strong staying form and can handle the ground.

Recent win over hurdles at Cheltenham over 3m beating quality opposition, and in a small field represents a nice bit of each-way value.

Good luck everyone, and remember to never gamble in your pants.

(Selections are correct as of time of publishing, Be aware they are subject to change, horses could be removed from races and meetings may be abandoned due to bad weather.)

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