Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming from Wincanton, Banger-on-Dee, Lingfield Park, and Kempton Park on 25 February 2026.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No1 AGUELLID (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Harry Cobden
The presence of Cobden adds allure to the chances of AGUELLID, who has looked a tricky ride and especially at this course last time where he traded short in running be ruined his chance by hanging. He’s a hard puller that is normally held up to preserve his energy, though it’s not entirely out of the question that Cobden might let him stretch out.
Race 2 No3 SHALFA
Trainer: Lydia Richards – Jockey: Rex Dingle
Dual purpose mare SHALFA is a turf winner at Brighton who late in her career is trying her hand at jumping. She followed the shadow of a well regarded foe when second at Plumpton, and if able to build on that could make this a first win under Rules.
Race 3 No5 WEST ORCHARD
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
WEST ORCHARD shaped with promise on his first run back but went out tamely next time, when his stable was in the middle of a quiet patch. He’s been given time to recover from those exertions, while the Tizzard horses are now right back in the groove.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 5 No11 PLANNED PARADISE
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Although he’s proved inconsistent, PLANNED PARADISE could be worth speculative support in this long distance chase as he’s dropped in the weights whilst on occasions showed flashes of ability. It might be worth taking a market check on him.
Race 6 No4 COPPER COVE
Trainer: Dominic Elsworth – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
COPPER COVE can do well in this if getting his jumping act together. He was in with every chance when departing at the final fence at Hereford and could be in here as the proverbial winner without a penalty.
Race 7 No5 CASUAL OBSERVER (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
The eye is drawn to CASUAL OBSERVER who ended his hurdling career on a high with a win at Ffos Las and has been well prepared for this switch to fences. In a tightly knit handicap he can score in the colours of the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No5 MOONSHINE (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: George Downing
Starman filly MOONSHINE returns to the sprnt t distance over which she posted a career best on debut having proved a shade costly when second in a Haydock maiden. That happened more than 200 days ago, but she’s ready for this task in which she brings outstanding claims to the table.
Race 6 No3 MOUNT MOGAN
Trainer: Laura Mongan – Jockey: Luke Morris
MOUNT MOGAN is an infrequent winner who has become frustrating, but although fading out of what looked a winning position on his latest outing here he can bounce back. He has the pick of the draw, and has dropped to a workable mark.
Race 7 No2 FIRST ENCOUNTER
Trainer: John Gallagher – Jockey: Luke Morris
Granted his ability to get the trip, FIRST ENCOUNTER needs taking seriously on this return to handicap company. He went down by just a neck on his latest start in a classified, having previously landed a Class6 success at Wolverhampton and those efforts make him the form pick.
Race 8 No4 DARK SUN (Each Way)
Trainer: James Bennett – Jockey: Laura Coughlan
DARK SUN came within an ace of landing a nice coup for this column at Wolverhampton, where the Dark Angel filly needed just one more stride to reel in an all the way scorer. She’s 1lb lower with the same apprentice in her saddle, and can go be better for a trainer who has just this one horse.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No4 NIKOVO (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
Race 5 No1 HIDDEN FORCE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Race 6 No2 HELGA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
HELGA a was given a peach from the front by Oisin Murphy when getting off the mark over course and distance last month. The Sixties Icon filly produced a telling change of gear to take the spoils and is strongly fancied to back it up under a 7lb penalty now in a first handicap.
