Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Cheltenham’s December Meeting on Friday (12th December)

The Cheltenham December Meeting bursts into life on Friday 12th December signalling the start of one of the most informative weekends of the jumps season.

Day One serves up a mix of rising stars and Festival hopefuls, giving punters an early chance to spot future contenders and land some value in the markets.

As the action returns to Prestbury Park, my Cheltenham tips, racing predictions and key form pointers will guide you through a cracking card packed with betting opportunities.

Whether you’re hunting big-priced plays or solid festival clues, here’s everything you need to get ahead at the home of jump racing.

Top Cheltenham’s December Meeting 2025 betting offers

Cheltenham’s December Meeting (Friday) tips

• 12.05 Old Park Star – 9/4 with BetVictor NEXT BEST
• 12.40 Califet En Vol – 6/4 with PaddyPower NAP
• 1.15 Iberico Lord – 6/1 each way with PaddyPower
• 1.50 The Doyen Chief – 9/2 each way with bet365
• 2.25 Courtland – 5/1 each way with bet365
• 3.00 Iceo Madrik – 6/1 each way with bet365
• 3.35 Tranquil Sea – 7/2 with bet365

*odds provided are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Cheltenham’s December Meeting on Friday (12th December)

Find my top tips for today’s racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

12.05 British EBF ’National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Class 2) 2m1f

I’m looking forward to seeing OLD PARK STAR out again for Nicky Henderson. He travelled like a dream on hurdles debut at Kempton before putting away Un Sens A La Vie convincingly. That is decent form and with improvement to come I can see him following up against these.

Kingston Queen impressed beating a subsequent winner by 7 lengths at Chepstow and she should have more to come so looks a lively danger.

Bet on OLD PARK STAR to win at 9/4 with BetVictor

12.40 Santa ’The Visit’ Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (Class 2) 2m41/2f

Nicky Henderson won this last year with Jango Baie and he is represented this time around by the promising CALIFET EN VOL. This scopey sort did well over hurdles and should make into an even better chaser. I have heard he has been schooling well and this looks a good starting point for him.

Sixmilebridge impressed winning by over 4 lengths on chase debut at Ayr and has experience on side so won’t go down without a fight. Royal Infantry should have a bright future in this sphere but needs to improve.

Bet on CALIFET EN VOL to win at 6/4 with PaddyPower

1.15 Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) 2m1f

I wouldn’t lose hope with IBERICO LORD. He just shaped as though he needed the run when down the field in the Greatwood and he could leave that behind now.

He is capable off this mark and if sharper this time around can get involved. He looks good value in the market at around 6/1 and I’m anticipating a big run.

French Emperor has been progressive in handicaps and with Sean Bowen up will likely be popular again. Fortune De Mer is a tricky customer but again could easily be capable of getting involved so shouldn’t be underestimated for the Skelton team.

Bet on IBERICO LORD each way at 6/1 with PaddyPower

1.50 Turners Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) 3m21/2f

I’ve got to be with THE DOYEN CHIEF here as he looks to complete a redemption mission. He should have won at Bangor but for a mistake at the last and then virtually refused to race at Newbury. He is clearly fresh and well coming into this and has scope for further improvement off this mark.

Plenty of dangers likely headed by L’homme Presse who is burdened with top-weight but deservedly so on what he has achieved. He is the class angle and could run very well with the ground ideal. The Short Go is another one I can see getting competitive.

Bet on THE DOYEN CHIEF each way at 9/2 with bet365

2.25 Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase Series Handicap Chase (Class 2) 2m41/2f

A veterans event now so no strong opinion but COURTLAND should run well for Mickey Bowen with Sean in the saddle. He remains lightly raced for his age and was only denied a neck by Twig at Sandown and that rival has since beat Mr Vango at Aintree in the Becher to frank the form.

Fugitif will need to leave that reappearance run behind but if doing so could be a player. Eldorado Allen won that race and will likely be sent off favourite here and is definitely respected as well. Plenty in with chances here in an open race.

Bet on COURTLAND each way at 5/1 with bet365

3.00 Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase (Class 2) 3m51/2f

Easysland won this for the French back in 2019 and they have a good chance of another winner this time around in ICEO MADRIK.

He was unseated in this race last year and while he refused to race at Compiegne last time if he does consent to jumping off here he should be handicapped to have a big say in the outcome and at the prices could be worth chancing.

Latenightpass had a spin here last month and will come on bundles for that. Busselton has a first-time visor and could be dangerous as well.

At a bigger price don’t rule out an improved display from Final Orders who might be worth a saver despite being high in the weights.

Bet on ICEO MADRIK each way at 6/1 with bet365

3.35 Citipost Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 3m

I can see this track suiting TRANQUIL SEA and he just bumped into one when runner-up at Market Rasen last month. That was his first run following a wind op so I expect him to be sharper now and he looks a big player here.

He has been left off an unchanged mark and should have more to offer so looks sure to go well.

Long Draw won this last year and continues to run well. He ran well again when fourth behind Kikijo here last month so should have his say if he jumps well.

Kyntara was beaten less than 4 lengths at Aintree and that form has been franked so he is another one in with a shout in this.

Bet on TRANQUIL SEA to win at 7/2 with bet365

My top tip for Friday’s racing at Cheltenham’s December Meeting

It could be a good day for Nicky Henderson so I’m siding with OLD PARK STAR to back up that Kempton win and take the opener. I have doubled him up with CALIFET EN VOL jumping fences for the first time in the novices chase. I really feel he could be a nice prospect for the season ahead.

Bet a Win Double on OLD PARK STAR and CALIFET EN VOL at 13/2 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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