Free horse racing tips for today: Cheltenham and Musselburgh – The Wizard of Odds’ betting preview for the racing live on ITV this Tuesday, January 1

CRUCIAL ROLE looks overpriced in Cheltenham’s 1.25.

He could end up the outsider of the five because his last win came at unfashionable Uttoxeter.

It was the way he won in the midlands that caught the eye as his jumping was fast over the pretty testing fences.

He had the race wrapped up a long way from home and shapes as though there is a lot more to come.

The Skeltons wouldn’t pitch him into this level if they didn’t think he could handle it.

UPSILON BLEU (1.40 Musselburgh) has ability but is struggling to find his best distance — and this could be it.

He just failed to stay when still a decent third at Kelso last time over just shy of 3m. He earlier found 2m on the sharp side so this in-between distance should be ideal.

DIVINE SPEAR (2.00 Cheltenham) is coming back from a break but won first-up last season and has enough quality to figure.

He was last seen not particularly enjoying himself in second at Musselburgh but he’ll like Cheltenham a lot better.

He has taken well to fences and had 10 lengths in hand when winning at Ascot this time last year. With few miles on the clock and the Henderson horses going well in the main, he should go close at a fair price.

CHICA BUENA (2.15 Musselburgh) is proving unstoppable at the moment and was an impressive winner in Listed company at Aintree last time.

She takes on more experienced rivals here but is dropping in class and is right at home over this course and distance.

She is a lot higher in the weights than her last handicap outing but has improved a bundle since then.

AUX PTITS SOINS (2.35 Cheltenham) looked in need of the run when fifth at Newbury last time out after a full 20 months off.

That should improve his fitness and he was a cut above this level before his break. This track suits well and, from what looks a handy mark, it would be no surprise if he was good enough to strike.

WHOLESTONE (3.10 Cheltenham) won this race 12 months ago so can be forgiven a poor run at Newbury last time out.

That effort was a surprise because he scooted in at Aintree earlier and it could have been that the race came too soon.

Either way, we know these conditions are ideal and he has no issues getting the distance.

CHELTENHAM

12.15 Darlac

12.50 Some Chaos

1.25 Crucial Role

2.00 Divine Spear

2.35 Aux Ptits Soins

3.10 Wholestone

3.50 Fearless

MUSSELBURGH

12.30 Liva

1.05 Dans Le Vent

1.40 Upsilon Bleu

2.15 Chica Buena

2.50 Kajaki

3.25 Born For War

CATTERICK

12.25 Tight Call

1.00 The Herds Garden

1.35 Braavos

2.10 Foxtrot Juliet

2.45 Eureu Du Boulay

3.20 Court Baloo

EXETER

12.40 Extra Mag

1.15 Ebony Gale

1.50 Greanateen

2.25 Le Boizelo

3.00 White Moon

3.35 Only Gorgeous

4.05 Mister Tummytucks

FAKENHAM

12.45 Blu Cavalier

1.20 Apachee Prince

1.55 The Very Thing

2.30 Younknowell

3.05 Craigmor

3.40 Kings Inn

SOUTHWELL

12.35 Jungle Secret

1.10 Zapper Cass

1.45 Jashma

2.20 Call Out Loud

2.55 Sooqaan

3.30 Limerick Lord