The Lowdown: going updates, racecards, news and tips for today's racing

Today's news

• NAME IN LIGHTS:Hollie Doyle rode her 100th winner of the year when newcomer The Perfect Crown won at Chelmsford last night. Doyle joins Hayley Turner and Josephine Gordon in the exclusive 100 Club of female jockeys.

• FOOT RACE: 2018 Racing Post Arkle winner Footpad paved the way to a crack at the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day with an impressive victory at Thurles yesterday.

• OWNING UP: Syndicate ownership is being celebrated, promoted and explained at Ascot's meetings today and tomorrow during the inaugural 'Discover Racehorse Ownership' initiative.

• POLITICS:Labour has stood by its pledges on gambling and animal welfare, including a review of the whip in racing, in its 2019 party manifesto.

Key links

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

Today's meetings

**STAR MEETING**
Ascot (first race 1.00)
Flat stars Kew Gardens, Stradivarius and Magical have cleared off the hurdle course used on a sodden British Champions Day last month to leave the jumpers to entertain. There is a class start to the weekend with a novice chase (1.00) that features the Nicky Henderson-trained pair Angels Breath and Birchdale. Read the preview here.

Going Soft, good to soft in places
Distances 1.00 +14yds;1.30 +64yds; 2.05, 3.45 +54yds; 2.40, 3.15 +18yds.
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Red Force One (3.45)

Catterick (12.15)
Going Good to soft, good in places

Ffos Las (1.10)
Going Soft, heavy in places - GoingStick 7.5
Distances 1.10 +41yds; 1.40, 3.55 +62yds; 2.15, 3.25 +93yds; 2.50 +31yds

Newcastle (AW) (3.30)
Going Standard to slow

Dundalk (AW) (5.15)
Going Standard

Key non-runners

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

Today's tips

Keith Melrose's top tip

Didero Vallis (2.40 Ascot)
Improved last season, rounding off with a fifth at the Cheltenham Festival. Returns for a yard in fine form.

Live Tipster
Richard Birch leads our team of experts providing live insight through the day on Raceday Live.

Today's video

Check out who Jonjo O'Neill is looking forward to running this season.

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