Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming from Wetherby, Huntingdon, Southwell and Newcastle on 22 January 2026.
WETHERBY
Race 2 No2 STARMOUNT (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
STARMOUNT was an impressive scorer at Doncaster before putting in an underwhelming run in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree when his chance was seriously compromised by the omission of the hurdles owing to a low sun. Flat racing is not this fellow’s cup of tea, and in this far less competitive race the Nap can bounce back.
Race 7 No3 BOLLIN THOU
Trainer: Nick Schofield – Jockey: Sean Bowen
BOLLIN THOU has been unstoppable with three wins on the bounce in less than three weeks. He’s racing under a double penalty after an in the end decisive success at Lingfield, and he should defy it.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No9 LIMIER D’ARTHEL (Each Way)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Callum Pritchard
Easily the most interesting runner on this card is the unexposed LIMIER D’ARTHEL, who after a prolonged absence takes the eye on a first run under Rules in the colours of JP McManus. His success in France happened almost two years ago, but though having to contend with training issues he has to be worth a market check on this first run out of the Hobbs stable.
Race 4 No3 FLOWING CADENZA (Nap)
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
FLOWING CADENZA has scored twice since the retirement of her former trainer Bob Buckler for whom she was a dual winner over hurdles. Now in the evening of her career, she ran better than her finishing position indicated when losing a shoe on her Hereford return before Christmas, and will be straighter for it.
Race 6 No6 LOUP DE MAULDE
Trainer: Robbie Llewellyn – Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell
Another good horse trying to successfully return from an enforced break is LOUP DE MAULDE for whom a market check is recommended. He was in good order when last seen just under two years ago with successes at this course and Taunton, where he landed a gamble. He can preserve his unbeaten over fences while under the tenure of Llewellyn, and just needs to prove his fitness.
SOUTHWELL
Race 6 No8 ARC ZOOSVE (Nap)
Trainer: Neil King – Jockey: Rab Havlin
ARC ZOOSVE is thriving with his current trainer for whom this is just a fourth AW start. He’s been successful and Wolverhampton and Lingfield where he landed some good bets, and though yet to score in six previous visits to this track is in the mood to change things.
Race 8 No5 GREY FORCE
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Blue Point colt GREY FORCE can prove the answer to an open maiden. He didn’t go unbacked on debut at Lingfield where after being shaken up early in the straight he kept on well enough to claim a minor cheque. Importantly he’s learned plenty from that, and just needs to overcome a tricky wide draw.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No2 FIVE CAY
Trainer: Jack Morland – Jockey: Jason Watson
A return to the 1400 metres distance can prove key to FIVE CAY in what looks a weak novice. The Ardad gelding brings an experience edge to the table after being reeled in late over a mile on his latest start at this course. He has plenty of pace which should allow him to be handy from the gate, and the others who have run need to improve considerably in order to beat him.
Race 3 No3 MYSTICAL LAND
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
MYSTICAL LAND troubled the judge on both handicap starts at this track. The cash that came his way last time went west when his attempt to force the pace cost him in the final stages. The decision to keep him to 1000 metres looks a sensible one, and his is the best form on offer.
Race 4 No2 NIKOVO (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
Although not an obvious pick for this Class 3, NIKOVO a is not a horse to lose faith in. Recalling that both his successes since joining Herrington happened at this course and around the same time in 2025, it might be worth having a speculative wager on him on this return from a short break, and at a level he’s comfortable in.
Race 6 No2 BUZZ BOX (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
From the same stable, BUZZ BOX rates the best bet of the night. The five-year-old returns from a break and from a 5lb higher mark than when scoring over course and distance ten months ago. But this is his first run out of the Herrington stable, while his success in late January last year also came after a long (one year) absence.
