Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming from Ludlow , Sedgfield, Kempton Park and Newcastle on 4 February 2026.
LUDLOW
Race 3 No8 SHERMINATOR
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Bryan Carver
SHERMINATOR looked to be travelling well within himself when falling at Cheltenham on a second run back from a wind operation. Unfazed after the mishap, he can return to the level of form that saw him land some good bets on a first start for his trainer at Taunton.
Race 4 No8 REGAL RENAISSANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Eight-year-old mare REGAL RENAISSANCE can add to her laurels in what has become a regular visit to her local track. Trained only a mile away at Downton Hall, she knows this terrain like the back of her own hooves and can make life difficult for seven male opponents under bottom weight. She fell for the first time in her chase career when running here before Christmas, but is none the worse for the spill.
Race 5 No9 HARD DEALT
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: David Bass
From the same stable HARD DEALT can take away a cheque in what is a competitive affair. She is operating at her optimum distance on slightly better ground than when runner-up at Haydock in December. She also receives weight from everything in the field, and goes to post with confidence behind her.
Race 6 No2 FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Nap)
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
From a yard that’s been amongst the winners, the progressive FOLLOWING CHAPTER should prove hard to beat. He was thumped with an 8lb rise for his Warwick win, but that was just a fifth ever race for the six-year-old who has scope for further progression.
SEDGFIELD
Race 6 No6 JUKEBOX JOKER (Nap)
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Isabel Williams
JUKEBOX JOKER returned from a long absence to open his account in good style at Warwick and is a very interesting runner making the long haul from Wales. He was well on top at the finish and can consolidate.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No5 NIKOVO (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
NIKOVO did nothing wrong when narrowly denied at Newcastle last week and has strong claims to recoup the losses on only a second career visit to this track. The Kingman gelding is well drawn, and if enjoying the rub of the green in the straight can gain a first success since March last year.
Race 5 No4 MYTHICAL COMPOSER
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
After a strong of frame finishes MYTHICAL COMPOSER got it right over the course and distance last time. The Sergei Prokofiev colt is well drawn to brain a handy early position in this race over 1400 metres and can defy a 3lb higher mark.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No5 PIT BOSS (Each Way)
Trainer: Liam Bailey – Jockey: Billy Garritty
If there’s a runner capable of halting the fine winning sequence of Spartan Fighter then PIT BOSS looks the one. He’s a long-standing maiden, but has improved from race to race this season and following a near miss here last time can score on his eleventh visit here from his last dozen outings.
Race 6 No2 MONKS DREAM (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
It’s eleven months since MONKS DREAM gained his last success but it happened over course and distance, since when he’s frequently earned on subsequent visits to Gosforth Park. He seemed to have too much to do with little time to achieve it here last month, but that earning effort is there to be built on.
