Cheltenham Festival 2026 day four: Tips for televised races on ITV
After a thrilling and dramatic Cheltenham Festival, the fourth and final day is upon us with all eyes on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Sports News Blitz’s Jeff Mexico and Kieran McHugh seem to have saved their best until the end, and after a successful Thursday, they return for the finale on Friday, March 13.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 guide: Day-by-day race times, how to watch tv guide, best horses, trainers, jockeys and more
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is the biggest four days in National Hunt racing. Sports News Blitz delivers a guide to the race times, tv schedule, top horses, trainers, jockeys and more.
March is a magical time of year. The weather starts to behave itself, it’s not dark at 4pm and 8am and most importantly - it’s the Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 day two: Tips for televised races on ITV
After an action-packed opening day, Prestbury Park opens its doors once more as the second day of the Cheltenham Festival gets underway. Sports News Blitz’s Jeff Mexico and Kieran McHugh survived the first day of the ‘Fez’ and return for round two at HQ on Wednesday, March 11.
The first race is underway at 1:20pm and proceedings conclude at 4:40pm, leaving 20 minutes for tea, tears, and tribulations before you can rage all over again because someone took the minus offer on The Chase.
Cheltenham Festival 2026: Richard Johnson and co give their Gold Cup fancies and best selections
After being allowed out on day release for a preview night, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh has reported back with all the Cheltenham Festival expert opinions.
Check out who they are backing for glory…
Breakout Jockeys and Horses to Follow in the Upcoming Calendar
Horse racing is a sport that is constantly evolving, with new names joining the sport every year.
Every star coming into the sport will aim to make their impression, whether that is by winning a notable Grade One or scoring victory in one of the Classics.
Breakout jockeys will be looking to upset the status quo, and their mounts will likely be overlooked due to the inexperience of the rider when making online horse racing betting selections.
But, who are potentially some of the breakout jockeys and horses worth following in 2026?
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Southwell on Friday, February 20
After taking a profit in five races last week, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh is hoping to continue his good run of form.
Friday Night Live returns at Southwell on ITV, and amidst the excitement of Constitution Hill’s flat debut, our pundit is hoping to provide some guidance through the card.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Leopardstown on Sunday, February 1
Sunday, February 1 hosts the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival.
After jetting around the globe, Sports News Blitz’s Kieran McHugh landed in Ireland.
And our pundit is keen to unearth some clues for the Cheltenham Festival.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Sandown, Musselbrough and Leopardstown on Saturday, January 31
Sometimes we struggle to keep up with the personal life of Sport News Blitz’s horse racing tipster Jeff Mexico. This week he carried out an ‘important scientific experiment’ during Storm Chandra, which hit the UK this week.
Standing naked behind the Betfred in St Austell, he wanted to see if a 75 mph wind would move his genitals independently. Without going into too much detail, he concluded the experiment a success and was promptly arrested for indecent exposure.
While you have that unpleasant image in your mind, why not take a gander at Jeff’s 11 tips for ITV’s big weekend of equine action at Sandown, Musselburgh and day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.
Racing punter turns £40 into over £30k
One William Hill punter welcomed the weekend in with a huge horse racing win, as they landed separate winning treble and patent bets to the tune of over £30,000.
Which 10 horses could steal the show at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival?
At the end of January, National Hunt fanatics will descend on Leopardstown Racecourse, for the Dublin Racing Festival.
One of the highlights of the National Hunt calendar, the DRF always attracts some of the best horses, trainers and jockeys in the business.
The Dublin Racing Festival is held annually at Leopardstown, with the showpiece races namely the Irish Gold Cup and the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Sports News Blitz’s racing expert, Kieran McHugh, has picked out 10 horses which he believes you should be keeping an eye on before the Leopardstown extravaganza begins on January 31.
Horse racing tips and best bets for the King’s Plate Festival in South Africa
Oisin Murphy features as South Africa’s finest descend on Kenilworth racecourse this weekend - with a place at Breeders’ Cup at stake.
Sports News Blitz’s Kieran McHugh offers his suggested tips for the three Grade One races featured at the King’s Plate Festival, including the 165th running of the main event.
The three Grade One races are all part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, giving the victors a guaranteed starting spot, in their respective races, at Keenland in the USA.
Horse racing news: Constitution Hill 3/1 to win on the Flat in 2026
Constitution Hill can be backed at 3/1 with William Hill to make a successful switch to the Flat in 2026, having fallen on his last three starts over hurdles.
The former Champion Hurdle winner is 3/1 to win a Group or Graded race on the level at any point in the new year.
The leading bookmaker’s popular ‘Horses To Remain Unbeaten’ market is back as well, with Hong Kong’s star sprinter Ka Ying Rising heading the betting at 2/1.
Mr Vango well backed for William Hill Half A Mill Becher
After 13 runners were declared for Aintree’s William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race, Mr Vango has been popular in the betting and is the 4/1 favourite.
Gavin Cromwell: Bioluminescence all set for William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell has provided the latest on Bioluminescence ahead of her run in the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday.
Mr Vango tops William Hill Becher betting
Following the five-day confirmation stage for Aintree’s William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race, 19 horses have been confirmed for the prestigious contest over the Randox Grand National fences, with Mr Vango heading the market as the 6/1 favourite with William Hill.
Horse racing tips and best bets for ITV racing at Haydock, Ascot and Punchestown on November 22
Having spent an entire week trapped in his loft looking for his big coat, Jeff Mexico clambers down to ground level to impart his horse racing betting wisdom on nine cracking contests served up by Saturday’s ITV racing schedule.
The Sports News Blitz horse racing oracle casts his net over five races from Haydock, including the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, three from Ascot and the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
It’s going to be a busy day, if the weather stops being an arse.
What are the best strategies for successful horse racing betting?
Everyone believes there’s a magic formula to winning on the horses - a fail-safe way to walk away from the racecourse with bags full of cash.
Plenty of seasoned punters will have theories they swear by or show you crumpled bits of paper with all kinds of mathematical wizardry.
These all might help tip the scales in your favour, but the bottom line is that nothing is certain when it comes to the sport of kings.
But don’t despair, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Scott Allen is on hand to give your betting journey a nudge in the right direction.
Whether you're betting at Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, the Kentucky Derby, or just on a windy Tuesday in Redcar, these betting strategies could help you dust away some of the cobwebs in your wallet.
Mr Vango and Johnnywho headline William Hill Becher betting
William Hill are excited to open the betting on the William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race this season. 35 horses have been entered for the prestigious contest over the Randox Grand National fences, with Mr Vango and Johnnywho heading the market as 8/1 joint-favourites.
Horse racing A-Z guide: Complete list of horse racing betting terms
For the uninitiated, horse racing can look like a wild world of strange jargon, complicated betting markets and people dressed in everything from fancy hats to Wellington boots.
It’s a lot more than placing a bet on the result of a handful of horses making their way round a race course.
You can keep it that simple if you like, but that strategy is likely to drain your wallet very quickly.
Horse racing rarely takes a break. There’s always a race somewhere in the world at any one time.
Whether it’s the Cheltenham Festival, The Grand National, Royal Ascot or the 3.47 at Plumpton on a wet Tuesday afternoon, understanding racing terminology is essential for confident betting and hopefully turning a profit.
If you are an experienced gambler or a newbie starting on your punting journey, there’s plenty to learn and discover.
This comprehensive guide by Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Scott Allen covers terms used online, trackside and in betting shops across the UK, Ireland and international markets.
Virtual horse racing betting: A complete guide to odds, strategies and winning tips
Virtual horse racing has emerged as one of the most accessible forms of gambling for bettors worldwide.
While traditional afternoon and evening horse racing has been merrily ticking along for hundreds of years, virtual horse racing offers 24/7 action with competitive odds, without the risk of your selection having a meltdown in the stalls.
However, many punters still don’t trust virtual horse racing. They believe there’s too much ‘new-fangled technology’ going on in the background to feel comfortable about putting a large chunk of cash on something that isn’t flesh and blood.
Well, Grandad, it’s time to put those fears to one side, as Sports News Blitz’s Scott Allen walks you through the world of virtual horse racing and answers some questions you may have.