Our star daily duo of Rory Delargy and David Massey have their say on today's racing.
Racing betting tips: Friday October 24
1pt e.w Eye of Dubai in the 1.33 Doncaster at 9/1 (General – 1/5 1,2,3,4) – min 15/2
0.5pts e.w Gweedore in the 3.18 Doncaster at 11/1 (Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4) – min 9/1
0.5pts e.w Animal in the 4.45 Cheltenham at 33/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4,5) – min 28/1
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1:33 Doncaster – Class 2 (0-105) Handicap 6f2y
Cheltenham’s Friday card looks tricky in the conditions and it should be easier finding winners in the mud at Doncaster, where there are some good-quality handicaps for a Friday card.
A case can be made for plenty in the opener, but EYE OF DUBAI has solid C&D form to his name and makes most appeal. His record over track and trip on soft or heavy ground reads 3313 with the win coming on the final day of the turf season last November. He’s had a hit-and-miss campaign in 2025 but was back to his form when third in the Ayr Silver Cup on his penultimate start, and built on that when winning at Ripon last time.
Eye of Dubai won the corresponding Ripon contest 12 last autumn before being beaten just a neck into third at this fixture. When he finds his form, he’s a very reliable sort and he’s taken to enhance his solid Town Moore record.
3:18 Doncaster – Class 2 (0-105) Handicap 7f6y
GWEEDORE isn’t a mudlark per se, but has won three handicaps on very soft ground, including over C&D, and he’s been shaping up well in hugely competitive handicaps over shorter on his last two starts. Seventh in both the Ayr Silver Cup and the Coral Sprint Trophy at York, he should benefit from the return to seven furlongs and has dropped to a tempting mark based on the pick of his form. He has shown that he retains almost all of his old ability after a break this autumn, and he should be cheery ripe after his last two outings, where he has typically made the running. He retains the early acceleration to get loose here and represents value in a competitive contest.
4:28 Doncaster – Class 3 (0-95) Handicap 6f2y
Aberama Gold is another to have signalled a return to form at Ayr and the 2023 Stewards’ Cup winner cannot have it deep enough. Fourth in the Silver Cup last month, he’s been placed on both subsequent starts on quicker ground and is handicapped to strike now back on a testing surface.
As well as his famous Goodwood win, after which the meeting had to be abandoned, Aberama Gold has contested two other handicaps on ground described as heavy, winning both, and he’s hard to ignore having dropped 9lb since that career highlight.
4:45 Cheltenham – Class 3 (0-125) Amateur Handicap Chase 3m1f
There is no shortage of pace in this contest, with plenty likely to go forward, including Smugglers Haven, Rockinastorm (with the notable booking of Patrick Mullins), Kelce, and My Gift To You. Smugglers Haven has predominantly raced on good ground but has run to form on good to soft and was placed on heavy ground on his Rules bow. He should benefit from a positive ride by Lily Bradstock, having shown solid form when second to the progressive Bumpy Evans at Warwick last time, but the worry is that he will be harried for the lead.
The one we think could be overpriced at the odds is the Suzy Smith-trained ANIMAL, particularly if the pace is strong as expected. This thorough stayer is expected to be held up before making a late challenge, and such patient tactics could well be beneficial in a race where there is a chance of a late pace collapse. The negatives are easy to see with Animal with two runs last season ending in disappointment, but a breathing problem was blamed for his most recent flop at Bangor, and he’s had wind surgery since. As a result of his poor efforts last season, Animal has slipped to a mark of 109, 4lb lower than when winning on soft ground at Sandown in December 2023.
Preview posted 1010 BST on 24/10/25
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2025 successes
- Susie Sioux 3/1
- Smooth Silesie 13/2
- Sticktotheplan 6/1
- Daryz 11/1
- Expressionless 9/1
- Blue Jay Way 11/1
- Revival Power 13/2
- Yanifer 10/1
- Saddadd 5/2
- Dark Cloud Rising 11/2
- Forglen 13/2
- Brazilian Belle 11/4
- Red Panda 17/2
- Bearwith 7/2
- Nogo’s Dream 2/1
- Alpha Magic 20/1
- Minnie Hauk 5/1
- Gore Point 17/2
- Molten Sea 6/1
- Pay Attention 5/1
- Laser Focus 13/2
- Phaedra 2/1
- Eldrickjones 8/1
- Straight F/C Cosmic Year/Marvelman 28/1
- Pink Eyed Pancho 12/1
- Pep Talking 7/2
- Ultra Beat 7/2
- Les's Legacy 13/2
- Coniston George 9/2
- Fairlawn Flyer 12/1
- Finn Lough 9/2
- Magma Sam 9/1
- Hawajes 9/2
- Trouble Man 3/1
- Royal Jewel 11/4
- Mr Vango 5/1
- Jack Sprat 11/4
- Ormolulu 100/30
- Khangai 9/2
- Jimmy Knocker 6/1
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