Free horse racing betting preview and tips for Saturday January 4

Nap: Jepeck (3.00 Sandown)

Next Best: Getchagetchagetcha (2.50 Lingfield)

Jepeck is primed to take a starring role at Sandown in the Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase.

The three-mile event, which is run in memory of the admirable Houblon Des Obeaux this year, gives the older squad a chance to shine - and the Anthony Honeyball-trained Jepeck makes plenty of appeal.

The 11-year-old has not actually run over fences since last March, when he chased home subsequent Scottish National and Rehearsal Chase winner Takingrisks at Carlisle.

Honeyball has kept him over hurdles so far this term, a decision that has yielded two wins from three starts - including a 19-length verdict at Bangor in November.

Jepeck was on the mark at Chepstow in early December, when the winning margin of a length and a quarter did not really do him justice because he idled a bit when the race was won.

He is 5lb higher than the last time he lined up over fences, but is clearly in excellent heart - and regular partner Rex Dingle takes off a handy 3lb on ground that should suit.

Silver Hallmark is a bit of an unknown quantity going into the Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle, but he could well be up to this Grade One task.

A winning point to pointer in 2018, he was a £115,000 purchase for current connections after that win - and his promise was evident when he finished third on his only bumper run last term.

The well-regarded McFabulous was seven lengths too good that day, but Silver Hallmark turned that form around when the pair made their respective hurdles bows at Newbury in November.

He ran out a four-length winner, turning in a fine round of jumping, and looks a runner full of promise with his best days ahead.

Palladium hit the bar on his first attempt over obstacles, and could feel the benefit of that experience in the Unibet Casino Juvenile Hurdle.

A half-brother to Classic winner Galileo Gold, it is surely a matter of time before Palladium is off the mark.

Valdez can supplement his Hereford win last time out in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase at Wincanton - while Albert's Back is the choice in Newcastle's Spa At Ramside Novices' Chase.

Getchagetchagetcha could be on an upward curve, with the Betway Casino Handicap at Lingfield looking an ideal next step.

Winner of a Leicester conditions event back in June, that run prompted Clive Cox to raise his sights dramatically for the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot - but he finished down the field in that Group Three event.

He was then off the track until tackling a Goodwood Listed event and then a Leicester handicap at the back end of the turf season - with neither race yielding a win.

Gelded in October, Getchagetchagetcha made his return at Wolverhampton at the start of last month - and despite racing keenly in the early stages, he showed a decisive change of gear to win by three-quarters of a length.

Boosted 3lb for that win, this son of Champs Elysees may still have something in the locker.

Creationist should enjoy dropping back to 10 furlongs in the Betway Handicap. He looked decent when winning twice at the start of last year. But he failed to really sparkle after that, and a mile and six furlongs clearly did not suit on his latest outing.

Mazikeen took a huge step forward on her latest run and can kick on again in the first division of the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Novice Median Auction Stakes.

Fourth on her initial outing, she was well in control at the second time of asking and looks a useful prospect.

Pianissimo goes for his hat-trick in the 32Red Handicap at Kempton. Formerly trained by John Gosden, he changed hands for 22,000 guineas and made an immediate impact for Anthony Carson - winning at this track on his stable debut.

Pianissimo then showed that win was not the limit of his capabilities when he followed up under an extra 2lb, with the first two pulling clear of the rest.

Raised a further 6lb for that win, a third success is within his compass.

Sporting Life tips

CORK: 12.20 Act Of God, 12.50 Baba Boom, 1.25 Golden Spread, 1.55 Guard Of Honour, 2.30 Shakeytry, 3.05 Debuchet, 3.45 The Sliding Rock.

KEMPTON: 4.10 Sound Mixer, 4.40 Ask Siri, 5.10 Azets, 5.40 Makram, 6.10 Mountain Brave, 6.40 Pianissimo, 7.10 Noble Fox, 7.40 Maykir.

LINGFIELD: 11.40 Crimewave, 12.10 Creationist, 12.40 Mazikeen, 1.15 Made In Italy, 1.45 Red Bravo, 2.15 Awsaaf, 2.50 Getchagetchagetcha, 3.25 Finespun.

NEWCASTLE: 11.50 Headscarf Lil, 12.25 Pads, 12.55 Prince Kayf, 1.30 Capard King, 2.00 Billy Ray, 2.35 Albert's Back, 3.10 Gennady.

SANDOWN: 12.15 Palladium, 12.45 Silver Forever, 1.20 Clondaw Westie, 1.50 American Tom, 2.25 Silver Hallmark, 3.00 Jepeck, 3.35 Gunnery.

WINCANTON: 12.30 Golden Poet, 1.05 Dino Boy, 1.35 Galileo Silver, 2.05 Admiral's Secret, 2.40 Rootless Trees, 3.15 Valdez, 3.50 Grand Slam.

DOUBLE: Jepeck and Getchagetchagetcha.