Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming from Ascot, Wincanton, Haydock Park, Lingfield Park, and Newcastle on 14 February 2026.
ASCOT
Race 1 No4 STARZAND
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
After winning a bumper and a maiden hurdle on his first two starts for Hobbs STARZAND ran into the smart Bossman Jack at Ffos Las and then disappointed when odds-on at Leicester. That was on extreme conditions however, and having been freshened up the Harzand gelding can bounce back.
Race 2 INJURED JOCKEYS FUND AMBASSADORS PROGRAMME REYNOLDSTOWN CHASE (Grade 2)
No4 WESTERN KNIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Jack Tudor
From a stable that took out the 2025 running of this contest, WESTERN KNIGHT can complete a hat-trick. The selection has shown battling qualities in his successes at Haydock and Doncaster but should operate just as effectively now switched to a right-handed track. He’s down to start third favourite of four, which could prove generous.
Race 3 No15 MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE has raced with mixed fortunes at this course with one of his best efforts coming when he finished a closing third in the race won by Came From Nowhere last month. He’s the sort of bet that could pep up exotic payouts, along with must includes LISTENTOYOURHEART and LIGHTNINGUPOURDAYS who can also earn.
Race 5 BETFAIR ASCOT CHASE (Grade 1)
No3 EDWARDSTONE
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
Veteran EDWARDSTONE rolled back the years when landing the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last month. Runner-up Master Chewy didn’t do the form any favours when well beaten at Newbury, but if there’s a hole in JONBON at a new distance for that JP McManus-owned horse then my selection can exploit it. Course specialist PIC D’ORHY tries to complete a hat-trick in the feature but hasn’t looked as good in two starts this season, including when well beaten in the 1965 Chase back in November.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No1 AT THE OCHE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Tom Broughton
Twiston-Davies saddles a few with definite chances including AT THE OCHE, who has attracted support in all three outings since switching to handicaps. Winner of a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las, he’s finished second in three of his other four starts and sets the standard for his rivals to aim at.
Race 3 BetMGM KINGWELL HURDLE (Grade 2)
No4 SECRET SQUIRREL
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
With Golden Ace skipping the race owing to the testing ground, SECRET SQUIRREL a is a joker in the remaining pack of four for this recognised Champion Hurdle trial. The flashy chestnut needs to overcome a protracted lay off, but showed enough when last seen racing when falling at the last in Newbury’s William Hill Hurdle a year ago that he can make the progression to become a Graded class hurdler.
Race 4 No6 THE EGYPTIAN GINGE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Mr Jamie Nield
THE EGYPTIAN GINGE has started 40-1, 80-1 and 20-1 for his three races this season but is now in much calmer waters. He wasn’t disgraced in Baron Noir’s race at Kempton last time, and should find this a much more straightforward task.
Race 5 No1 PILSDON PEN
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Bryan Carver
PILSDON PEN hasn’t gone on in two disappointing efforts since his comeback triumph here. His recent Exeter defeat is worrying, as he was beaten a long way out, but as a speculative bet he remains of interest, as he’s a lot better than he showed.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 ZYN RENDLESHAM HURDLE (Grade 2)
No3 BEAUPORT (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell
BEAUPORT is taking this unorthodox route to the Grand National for the second year running. He finished second here 12 months ago before running well for a long way at Aintree on ground that was too quick for him. Interestingly he’s undergone a breathing operation since his latest disappointing offering, and needs to be seriously considered..
Race 4 ALBERT BARTLETT PRESTIGE NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2)
No10 WHISKEY YANKEE
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
If the fixture passes its inspection one I’m looking forward to is WHISKEY YANKEE. He looked to be faced with a baptism of fire on hurdles debut at Ascot, yet brushed them aside to indicate he’s a proper Cheltenham prospect.
Race 5 No8 RIVERS CORNER (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
RIVERS CORNER had looked a ‘nearly’ horse before his resounding win at Wincanton, which should have done much to boost his confidence levels. A strong traveller and safe jumper, he figures to be a natural for the Grand National fences and should finish in the thick of the action at the end of another earning run.
Race 7 No6 GOOD BOY BOBBY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Miss Amber Jackson
GOOD BOY BOBBY has been denied two openings in hunter-chases owing to cancellations and the 13-year-old is now pitched into a tougher assignment on a first run in this division. The bold jumper should enjoy the fences on the Mildmay course, and perform better than his price suggests he will.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 5 No3 LEGAL REFORM (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
LEGAL REFORM went up 2lb for his strong finishing second at Southwell but his record at Class3 level reads well. Before that he scored in good style at Wolverhampton, and he has the right man on board today to get the job done.
NEWCASTLE
Race 7 No1 SILVER STATE (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Leaving the best until last looks the safest option at this meeting where SILVER STATE can back up a recent Wolverhampton success. Under Dawes and wearing a first time visor he proved easy to back, but when asked to find more turning into the short home straight readily kicked clear. The headgear obviously played its part in the success, and he’s strongly fancied to follow up.
