Two picks for Saturday....

Friday, 23rd January 2026

Two picks for Saturday….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday afternoon’s biggest betting heats….

I’m on MOON D’ORANGE in the 1.15 at Cheltenham – up at 12s & 11s….

…. and I’m on NEW ORDER at 12s in the 2.05 at Doncaster….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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They’ve had 80mm of rain fall on the track at Cheltenham during January – 20mm of that this week….

…. and there’s still a bit more to come over the next 24-hours….

Despite that, the powers that be expect racing to take place tomorrow on ground no worse than soft….

…. which backers of Jagwar – favourite for the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (1.15) – will no doubt be pleased to hear….

…. because worse ground would be a potential negative against his chances….

The one I want to back – at the prices – is John McConnell’s MOON D’ORANGE at the general 12s & 11s – because I reckon he can run bigger than that….

He’s done nothing of note since winning over course and distance back in January 2025….

…. but he hasn’t had his ground – he wants it soft – in five subsequent assignments….

…. and he’s dropped back down the ladder to a mark of 130 – just a pound ahead of the mark he won from that last time….

You could make the case that he’s on the regress – so little has he shown recently….

…. but I don’t think so….

I know they reckon he’s the same horse – if not better at home – and his chase targets certainly haven’t been lowered….

…. he was directed at the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and for the big handicap (again) run on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham….

He didn’t get his ground for either assignment….

…. he’s dropped a handy 6lb for those two runs….

…. and he does get his ground tomorrow….

NEW ORDER at the general 12s is my pick for the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (2.05)….

I think he’s a little unlucky not to have already moved on from a mark of 125 having run big races at Sandown and Cheltenham the last twice….

He did himself no favours at Sandown – jumping left and getting nabbed at the line….

…. whilst last time at Cheltenham he did all the hard yards but didn’t quite have the fuel in the tank to finish it off….

Like I say, I’m not going to miss the opportunity – at the price – to back him again off the mark of 125 (which he is better than)….

…. and I like the decision to send him to this flat track where he might just find it that bit easier to hit the line at the trip….

It’s a deep race with Grand Geste, Deep Cave, Dartmoor Pirate, and Josh The Boss all making good cases for themselves….

But the front two have already been found in the betting….

…. and the latter two must prove they stay – especially on ground this taxing….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd