The Lowdown: going updates, racecards, news and tips for the first day of 2020

Today's news

• GLINT OF GOLD:Al Boum Photo, the horse who ended Willie Mullins' long wait for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory, makes his seasonal reappearance today. He is looking for back-to-back victories in Tramore's big race, the Savills New Year's Day Chase (2.20).

• HANDICAP ROUTE: Gigginstown’s Eddie O’Leary has raised the possibility of Samcro going handicapping after his latest Grade 1 flop behind Faugheen at Limerick.

• TOP-LEVEL ITCH: Trainer Mark Johnston admits the lack of a Group 1 winner was a frustration despite enjoying a record-breaking year in 2019.

• FALLEN IDOL:Barry Geraghty was upbeat about 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John despite their fall over hurdles at Punchestown yesterday.

Key links

Today's racecards
Today's non-runners
Today's free racing tipsLatest free bets

Today's meetings

**STAR MEETING**
Cheltenham (first race 12.15)
Three Graded races and two Listed events gets the year off to a high-octane start. Nicky Henderson runs nine on the seven-race card, headed by Champ who bids to extend his unbeaten start over fences in the Paddy Power Broken Resolutions Already Dipper Novices' Chase (1.25). Read the preview here.
Going Soft, good to soft in places
Distances 12.15, 1.25, 2.00, 2.35 & 3.10 +95yds, 12.50 +126yds, 3.50 +63yds
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Skandiburg (2.35)

Catterick (11.55)
Going Good to soft, good in places

Tramore (12.00)
Going Soft

Fakenham (12.05)
Going Good to soft, soft in places
Distances 12.35 & 1.45 +141yds, 1.10 +258yds, 2.20 +170yds, 2.55 +185yds, 3.30 +113yds

Southwell (AW) (12.10)
Going Standard

Fairyhouse (12.20)
Going Yielding, good to yielding in places

Musselburgh (12.30)
Going Good to soft
Distances 12.30 & 2.15 +14yds, 1.05 & 2.50 +28yds

Exeter (12.40)
Going Soft, heavy in places - GoingStick 6.0
Distances 12.40 & 1.15 -14yds, 1.50, 3.00, 3.35 & 4.05 +20yds, 2.25 +5yds

Key non-runners

Keep up to speed with today's non-runners and the latest changes with Raceday Live.

Today's tips

Tony O'Hehir's top tip

Column Of Fire (12.20 Fairyhouse)
Has shown plenty of promise over hurdles, most recently when runner-up to Longhouse Poet over today's trip at Navan. Can land the Fairyhouse opener.

Live Tipster
Pietro Innocenzi will be sharing his best bets throughout the afternoon on Raceday Live.

Today's video

The Postcast team previews today's action (starting at 18mins 30sec through) after looking back on last weekend's racing.

Given it is New Year's Day and after singing "should auld acquaintance be forgot", start the year with this clip from April. Nicky Henderson's chasing stars Altior and Sprinter Sacre meet at his stable.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app