What racing are we looking forward to in January? Trainers always have at least one eye on the Cheltenham Festival at this time of year but there’s some excellent racing to look forward to in the month of January. We have plenty of Grade 1s coming up and we should learn plenty about several leading Cheltenham candidates. Here we take a look at some of the noteworthy big races taking place across Britain and Ireland this month. Ballymore Novice Hurdle (Naas, Sunday 4th) We don’t have long to wait for this one, as it takes place this weekend. This prestigious Grade 1 novice hurdle hosted by Naas is run over 2m4f and has an illustrious roll of honour. The Yellow Clay, Bob Olinger and Enovi Allen have all won it in the last decade and the latter two both went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival. It often has an impact on both the Turners Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett, so keep your eyes peeled. Clarence House Chase (Ascot, Saturday 17th) One of four Grade 1 two-mile chases on the calendar in Britain, the Clarence House Chase is therefore a recognised Champion Chase trial. That being said, the last horse to win this and the Cheltenham showpiece was Altior back in 2019. The likes of Jonbon and L’Eau du Sud will be looking to get back on track and reestablish their Champion Chase credentials with a big run. Watch out for potential Irish raiders though, as any Willie Mullins runners will be worth keeping an eye on. Thyestes Chase (Gowran, Thursday 22nd) Established in 1988, the Thyestes Chase is one of Ireland’s most prestigious handicaps and it has worked out well as a Grand National trial in the last couple of decades. Aintree Hero Nick Rockett came out on top last year and it’s always a competitive affair. Cheltenham Festival Trials’ Day (Cheltenham, Saturday 24th) Cheltenham’s last meeting before the Festival takes place towards the end of the month and there are some top races to look forward to. First and foremost, the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase provides an opportunity for Gold Cup candidates to establish themselves. We could see Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning in the race this year, as long as conditions aren’t too testing. The Cleeve Hurdle, also a Grade 2, is a Stayers’ Hurdle trial which has been won by the likes of Big Bucks, Paisley Park and Inglis Drever. We’ve also got the Unibet Hurdle to look forward to and perhaps we could see the return of last year’s victor Constitution Hill, who is on the comeback trail. Other notable races include a Grade 2 novice hurdle and a Triumph Hurdle trial. Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 (Leopardstown, Saturday 31st) Always a major highlight of the winter schedule, the Dublin Racing Festival provides a bounty of Grade 1 feasts and plenty of Cheltenham Festival pointers. Willie Mullins will surely dominate once again but Gordon Elliott could prove more of a challenge this year. There are four top-level races on Day 1; the Gannon’s City Recovery Juvenile Novice Hurdle, Irish Arkle, Nathaniel Lacy Solicitors Novice Hurdle and the big one, the Irish Gold Cup, which should be a fascinating race this year.
