Hartington and Guard Duty Set to Clash at Windsor on New Year's Day

A packed New Year's Day racing schedule is in store, with action unfolding at Newcastle, Southwell, and Windsor, all live on Sky Sports Racing. The featured event at Windsor is the Fitzdares New Year's Day Handicap Hurdle, attracting a field of 12 over two and a half miles. Hartington, partnered by Brendan Powell and trained by Joe Tizzard, aims to extend his consistent form, having not finished outside the top two since October 2024. Following a 287-day break, Hartington returned with a win at Carlisle in November, only to be narrowly beaten at Haydock later that month. Guard Duty, trained by Emma Lavelle and ridden by Gavin Sheehan, seeks to improve upon his seasonal debut at Newbury, where he finished second. Olly Murphy, boasting a 25 per cent strike rate at Windsor over the last five seasons, fields Rambo T and Act Of Authority. Other notable contenders include East India Express, trained by Nicky Henderson, who seeks to rediscover his form after a less-than-ideal start to the season. Castle Carrock, trained by Alan King, and Thanksforthehelp, trained by David Pipe, are also in contention. Meanwhile, at Newcastle, the beautifully-bred Antrim aims for a hat-trick in the Join The Midnite Movement Handicap, facing five rivals over a mile and a quarter. Having undergone a gelding operation during his 130-day autumn break, Antrim returned to racing with a comfortable victory at Newcastle in October, followed by another win 27 days ago on his stable debut for Karl Burke. He now faces a six-pound rise as he bids for his third consecutive win. Machete, trained by David O'Meara, is a strong competitor, having won over the track and trip 13 days ago, with Mark Winn retaining the ride. Midnight Lion, trained by Jim Goldie, and Without Compromise, ridden by Cam Hardie, also feature in this talented field of six. At Southwell, the Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap sees five runners compete over a mile. Serengeti, having previously been used as a pace-maker for Aidan O'Brien, seeks his first win for his new connections. Blue Rc, trained by James Tate, has a consistent record but must navigate a career-high mark under Hector Crouch. Ed Walker's Popmaster, with the booking of Tom Marquand, looks for his first win since 2023, now six pounds below his last winning mark. Two Tempting boasts a good all-weather record, though he is yet to win off a mark this high, while Bravais makes his second start for Ian Williams.