Dave Nevison's New Year's Day tips: Cheltenham and Exeter bets

Trainer Billy Aprahamian had a good first half of the season, and can kick off 2026 with a winner here. 

Seasmoke has taken well to chasing this season, and won nicely at Market Rasen on her second try over fences. She followed up with a good second behind an in-form improver at Southwell before Christmas, and the handicapper may have been generous leaving her on the same mark here. 

If anything, I believe further improvement is likely to now she is running at Exeter, a track that really suits contenders that require a stamina test. 

Even though Jubilee Express was disappointing in the Coral Welsh Grand National, I think I have seen enough in the past few weeks to encourage me to side with these Sam Thomas-trained staying chasers in their upcoming starts. 

Katate Dori is a prime example having run really well to finish sixth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time out, and he stayed on throughout the last mile behind Panic Attack in that contest after being almost left at the standing start. 

He is a couple of pounds lower now, which will obviously also help his chance, but remembering his three handicap wins last season, I really don’t think his rating is an issue. 

At eight years of age, he is at his peak as a chaser, and only needs things to work out right for him in the race to strike again.

Il Ridoto is now below the rating he won the Paddy Power Gold Cup off (on the Old Course) in 2024, which is unsurprising given he has been largely disappointing in several runs at Cheltenham since that victory. 

I am fairly convinced, based on a couple of recent runs, that the ability is still there, and this race is a shade less competitive than some he has contested recently. 

As well as the lower mark, he also has the services of Freddie Keighley, who is impressing m,e and is well worth his 7lb claim. 

Il Ridoto has scored some of his notable successes under a claiming rider, and even though he definitely has to improve on two recent efforts, I am hopeful the New Year might bring in some new resolve for this talented chaser. 

The good ground is certainly a real plus for him, too. 

Our Dylan’s consistency has earned this ten-year-old top weight in this grade, and he is definitely the most reliable option in this tricky handicap. 

He goes well for Joshua Newman, who is able to reduce his burden by 5lb, and the pair combined to win a race over slightly shorter last season, so the track clearly suits. 

Our Dylan won a "Hands And Heels" Handicap Hurdle contest at Wincanton last time out, and carries no penalty for that success here, so he only needs to be in the same form to strike again off what is effectively, considering the rider’s claim, a lower mark.