Punters Panel: Weekend horse racing betting advice from our experts
Ahead of another busy weekend of racing action, we’ve assembled a team of experts to mark your card – introducing our Odds Now Punters Panel!
Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel
Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the five men answering our key questions:
Lee Jones - Racing trader at a leading bookmaker and well-respected judge in betting circles.
SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis in recent weeks.
Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.
Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors currently working in the industry.
Gary Wiltshire - Bookmaker, punter and betting industry legend. Buy Gary's new book – 50 Years In The Betting Jungle – HERE!
Now, onto the fun stuff!
Horse racing betting tips and insight for Friday 25 and Saturday 26 April, 2025
Give us your best bet for Friday at Sandown?
LJ - I think Windlord will take some beating in the 3:35. Was very highly thought of last year and could well be running against horses who need further or who are not yet fit.
SD - It’s a tricky card, but if Cicero’s Gift (3:00) does what he did on his reappearance last year, then he looks big price at 25/1.
AS - A great card on Friday but no standout bet for me. I’ve put up Lead Artist for the Lockinge at 25/1 on our YouTube so will be very much hoping he goes well in the bet365 Mile at 3:00.
HF - See The Fire (2:25). Ran some great races over this mile and a quarter trip and think she’ll have a big season. Andrew Balding is firing in the winners and I’m confident she will go well.
GW - Dancing Gemini in the bet365 Mile at 3:00. Showed us a big season is on the cars at Doncaster last month and he’s a Group 1 horse in the making.
And what's your best bet for Saturday at Sandown?
LJ - Resplendent Grey has to have a fair chance in the 4:10. He has a lovely weight and cheekpieces applied first time is a big positive.
SD - I was a bit surprised to see some 50/1 floating around for Spanish Harlem (4:10), even with him being out of the weights. He was going fine when carried out in the Scottish National.
AS - Threeunderthrufive (4:10) ran well for a long way in this race last year. Has shown good form at Ascot since and would have a chance away from the Mullins and Skelton noise.
HF - Kitzbuhel in the 3:00. Impressive over two miles in Ireland, stepped all the way up to 3 miles at Aintree which may have been too soon. Expected to appreciate the return to a right-handed track and I think will be tough to beat.
GW - Push The Button (4:45) has been running in hot company with some credit recently. And the Twistons can land some money on Willie Mullins tribute day.
Do you have a best bet elsewhere this weekend?
LJ - I really like Star Chorus in the 1:15 at Sandown on Friday. He was tricky last year and now gelded he can progress further. I think it’s a positive Balding is prepared to run four pounds out of the handicap as he has perfect pace setup here.
SD - Gorak in the 2:40 at Haydock. Stall 1 looks ideal for this front runner and he doesn’t look badly weighted.
AS - On Friday, I have Fondo Blanco in my tracker from last year where he won a nice Novice race at York. The trainer says he’ll be better on quicker ground, which he gets at Doncaster (4:15).
HF - Whistle Stop Tour (3:17 Perth, Friday) has disappointed the last twice but had excuses both times. Once too short a trip, then was well backed for Ultima before being hampered early and never recovering. I think he will put those two runs behind him and win at Perth.
GW - Man City to give Forest a good hiding at Wembley on Sunday!
With the UK National Hunt season officially coming to end this Saturday, what has been your highlight of the season?
LJ - Fact To File winning the Ryanair Chase was something out of the ordinary and he will win whatever he wants over two and two and a half miles next season.
SD - The jumps returning at Windsor was some thrill.
AS - The Champion Hurdle was pure chaos and actually the only race I watched live at the Cheltenham Festival.
HF - I loved that King George at Christmas, Banbridge running down Il Est Francais and a brilliant jump at the last to seal the win. The Sir Gino chasing debut has to be up there but gutted we didn’t see him again and hope we do see him build on that next season.
GW - Willie Mullins' incredible 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th in the Grand National was an unbelieveable achievement.
Is Willie Mullins winning the UK trainer’s title for the second year running bad for racing?
LJ - He has the horses at the moment. It’s not always been like that, and won’t necessarily be like that in the future.
SD - Yes. But I’d rather he won it than Dan Skelton. I suppose these things ebb and flow and in a decade we’ll wonder what all the fuss is about.
AS - I could not care less who the champion trainer or champion jockey is, in both codes.
HF - No. I can see a lot of people thinking it is but looking at Saturday’s racing, without Willie that meeting isn’t half as good.
GW - No. Even though his hot pots often cost me a few quid!
Tell us your favourite racecourse to attend and why?
LJ - Newmarket July Course pre 2006! Currently none as when I’m betting I would rather be at home watching on the TV with nice WiFi.
SD - Hexham on a sunny day is unrivalled in its visual majesty.
AS - At the top end, Ascot and York can’t be beaten for me (SD strongly disagrees). Of the smaller tracks that I’ve been to, Kelso is the winner.
HF - It has to be Newmarket (Rowley Mile) for me – the first course I ever went to and some of my best days racing at the track.
GW - Nothing beats Cheltenham and the Festival!