ITV Racing Tips – Friday 23rd October 2026 Best Bets for Cheltenham & Doncaster

Jumps action returns to Cheltenham this weekend, with the two-day Showcase Meeting set for ITV on Friday. Three races from Doncaster also complete the eight-race broadcast.

We have gone through all televised races on ITV this Friday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.

The first race of the new jumps season at Cheltenham is the William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Hurdle, run over a distance of two miles and four furlongs on the old course.

East India Express will be a leading chance to avenge last year’s fall in the race, but there could be more unexposed contenders in the field. Handlethekettle could be an interesting chance for the in-form Jamie Snowden team, with Havin Sheehan booked aboard.

The seven-year-old has won four from seven starts over hurdles, and likely needed the run last time when second behind the well-handicapped That’s Nice at Worcester. Runs off the same mark at Cheltenham this week.

His fitness edge gives him an advantage in this company, while wind surgery last February seems to have had the desired impact, with three of his four career wins coming since.

Flat action is also covered on ITV this week, beginning with a handicap over six furlongs. Bulletsnap presents more upside than most in the field for the in-form William Haggas team.

The two-year-old by Minzaal was an emphatic winner at Ripon last time, settling better than he had on his three starts prior. The change in tactics had the desired impact, as he was able to dictate the pace from the front before sprinting six lengths clear of the field.

Likely more to come, as long as he doesn’t revert back to blowing the start.

Next up from Cheltenham is the Catesby Estates “Chasing Excellence” Novices’ Chase. Bowensonfire was a winner of a big purse at the Dublin Racing Festival in February, but has been far from fluent in three starts over fences, and this drop back to two miles doesn’t especially look like it will suit.

Therefore, the in-form Dan Skelton could saddle the most likely contender with Ice Jet. The four-year-old will get weight from almost every rival in the field, and was assured when opening his account over fences at the third attempt last time at Uttoxeter, finishing 18 lengths clear of the field.

Similar tactics could be deployed at Cheltenham on Friday, and he’d be hard to peg back if getting into a rhythm.

Next up is a six furlong handicap from Doncaster. Station X was an excellent winner of the Ayr Silver Cup last time out, beating the re-opposing Goldmayne by a nose.

The selection gave the runner 2lb on that day, but should confirm the form. The ground is key for the Bryan Smart runner, with that recent win coming on heavy and his victory earlier this season coming on good-to-soft.

Any cut in the ground is a positive, while it is notable that Station X was a course and distance winner on testing ground last November.

The Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle is the next race from Cheltenham, with a distance of an extended two miles being covered.

Wondering Why has little to find on RPRs, and he will be carrying almost no weight around Jumps HQ, with Elliott England taking off 8lb this week.

The five-year-old was a winner over two miles at Warwick in May over two miles, easily seeing off Nap Hand by two lengths. Typically goes well fresh and holds a fairly eye-catching form line after finishing half a length behind Ambiente Friendly at Huntingdon last December.

The final flat race covered on ITV on Friday is a handicap over seven furlongs. Inishbeg could be an interesting angle for the Kevin Ryan stable, with the three-year-old carrying significantly less weight than many of his rivals.

The son of Ghaiyyath was an excellent winner on his return over course and distance last month, finishing just under a length clear of Flight Control on his first start after being gelded.

Has run well previously with cut in the ground, finishing a close second behind Yazin at Redcar as a two-year-old.

The most informative race on Cheltenham’s card this Friday could be the Grade Two Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle, won 12 months ago by Fortune De Mer.

The same connections team up with recent Chepstow winner Cooltobecareless. However, at a bigger price, Eternal Angel could be an each-way contender for the Tom Lacey team.

The six-year-old was a recent winner at Plumpton, jumping well before keeping on strongly to see off Gower Prince, who subsequently followed up with a win at Chepstow earlier this month.

Could be some substance to that form, with fourth-placed Nap Hand also following up to win at Plumpton with relative ease last weekend. The conditions may be the only issue, as the selection wouldn’t want the ground to be too testing.

The final race of ITV’s coverage on Friday is the squareintheair.com Handicap Chase, run over a distance of two miles. Calico was the winner of this race 12 months ago, but he is now rated 8lb higher and may be regressing as a ten-year-old.

JPR One returns from a layoff and should go well. However, Soul Icon should be primed for a big run after a recent spin on the flat.

The nine-year-old has finished in the top three on eight of his 18 starts over fences, and this drop back down to two miles is a huge plus, having previously beaten Edwardstone over the distance in the 2024 Grade Two Desert Orchid Handicap Chase.

Rated 3lb lower than that mark this week and is expected to go well based on his efforts over the summer months, now back on more suitable ground.