Racing Tips & Best Bets – Saturday, January 17, 2025

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Ascot Betting Tips for January 17, 2026 - Glanced to record surprise success

Martin Pennington

Editor

Last updated: Thu 15 Jan 2026 06:49

Martin Pennington 15 Jan 2026

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Bruce Almighty presents a strong value bet in Race 2
Helluva Goddess poised for a win in Race 5 after solid performances
Bold Hero favoured in Race 7, with Glanced as an interesting outsider in Race 8

Expired

Nine races will be run and won at Ascot on Saturday. (Getty)

Ascot hosts Saturday racing on December 17 with a nine-race program featuring a mix of staying contests, competitive handicaps and proven performers.

Ascot Tips January 17
Celebration Of Life Day Trophy Tips (Race 2)
Tabtouch – Westspeed Platinum Handicap Tips (Race 5)
Drummond Gold Handicap Tips (Race 7)
Reliable Asset Maintenance Handicap Tips (Race 8)

The card presents several genuine form angles for punters, while those looking for a single-anchor play can also explore our Bet of the Day as the meeting takes shape.

Ascot Tips January 17

Celebration Of Life Day Trophy Tips (Race 2)

Ascot Value Bet - Race 2 No. 1 Bruce Almighty

Bruce Almighty showed he retains plenty of ability when resuming with a 1400m victory at Ascot in October.

The veteran led throughout to score by over a length in a Benchmark 78+ handicap on a sound surface.

He was then held in his next three appearances, but all came in Listed or Group 3 company at big odds.

The son of Playing God returned to handicap grade earlier this month and raced on pace when beaten a length into second in the Mandurah Cup Handicap at Pinjarra.

Drawn barrier four again and with Steven Parnham aboard for the first time this prep, the ten-year-old may be capable of turning the tables on reopposing rivals at this distance.

Tabtouch – Westspeed Platinum Handicap Tips (Race 5)

Ascot Next Best Bet - Race 5 No. 4 Helluva Goddess

Helluva Goddess enjoyed a productive campaign last season, winning twice from four starts including a Class 1 over 1300m at Pinjarra.

All three of her runs this preparation have been at Ascot, with her first-up effort failing to impress when well back in the market over 1200m in late November.

She showed marked improvement second-up, scoring a length win in a Class 3 handicap over the same distance.

The four-year-old then demonstrated tactical versatility when ridden closer to the speed before finishing third here last time.

Beaten just over half a length in that run and with Holly Watson again claiming three kilograms, she looks capable of returning to winning form stepping up in trip.

Drummond Gold Handicap Tips (Race 7)

Ascot Best Bet - Race 7 No. 4 Bold Hero

Bold Hero has an excellent record at Ascot, registering two wins and a second from four starts at the track.

Those wins included a two-length success over this distance first-up last preparation.

He backed that effort up when stepping to 1800m before ending his campaign with a solid second over 2200m at Ascot in March last year.

The son of Rommel resumed this month following a successful Belmont trial, finishing seventh in a Benchmark 66+ over 1400m.

That trip was short of his best and with improvement expected second-up and Clint Johnston-Porter engaged, he looks well placed to add to his record.

Reliable Asset Maintenance Handicap Tips (Race 8)

Ascot Roughie - Race 8 No. 10 Glanced

Glanced returned to racing with a surprise $21 victory over 1300m at Belmont early last month.

She scored narrowly in that Class 1 handicap on a sound surface before making her Ascot debut next start.

Stepping up to 1600m, the daughter of Pierro finished a respectable fifth when beaten just over two lengths.

Glanced appeared to appreciate extra ground when finishing third in a Class 3 handicap at Bunbury last time.

Drawn wide but likely to be ridden with restraint, the step to 1800m looks suitable and she may be capable of surprising again.

Verdict

Ascot - January 17

Our Ascot selections for Saturday, January 17 are:

Bold Hero

To Win

$4.60 - 4 Units

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Helluva Goddess

To Win

$3.40 - 3 Units

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Bruce Almighty

Each Way

$11.00 - 2 Units

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