Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming from Hereford, Hexham , Lingfield Park and Kempton Park on 25 March 2026.
HEREFORD
Race 6 No1 ONE KNIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Cameron Johnstone
On his return from an absence of well over a year ONE KNIGHT can prove a bet worth waiting for. He’s in the last race of a card not wired up for punting, but impressed in taking out a Southwell bumper when last seen and is fancied to defy a 7lb penalty.
HEXHAM
Race 1 No9 BOLD REFLECTION
Trainer: John McConnell – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
BOLD REFLECTION hasn’t run for almost three years but this Limerick bumper winner had shown plenty before being shunted onto the easy list and her astute trainer wouldn’t have persevered with her unless he felt it was worth it.
Race 2 No1 SCOTTISH KING
Trainer: Richard Armson – Jockey: Philip Armson
SCOTTISH KING was a tidy scorer at Market Rasen but had to dig deep into his reserves to back that up at Plumpton after looking in trouble for much of the final circuit. He’s giving weight away all round, but has his tail up for this hat-trick attempt, and can convert.
Race 4 No4 JO COKO
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Richards saddles two for this four miler, and while MAROWN shown definite signs of a renaissance at Carlisle, JO COKO is narrowly preferred. The selection is a very interesting addition to the chasing ranks and in just two starts out of Greystoke finished third at Newcastle before scoring at Uttoxeter. First time cheek pieces assisted him that day, and it’s no surprise they are retained.
Race 6 No5 CASUAL OBSERVER (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
CASUAL OBSERVER was returning from a year off when chasing home a well supported winner at Bangor. It was also his first run over fences, and one from which he’s learned plenty. He’s in a good place from a handicapping perspective and can deliver as the best bet on this card.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No2 CALLING A STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Finley Marsh
CALLING A STAR has the advantage of being inexperienced on the all-weather which leaves her with plenty of room for progression. The Showcasing filly finished second over 1400 metres at Kempton, but suggested that sprinting is her game when cutting back to 1200 and landing some good bets at Wolverhampton. She made all to score comfortably and a similar plan of action is on the cards.
Race 6 No3 DOTTIES STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Pat Phelan – Jockey: S D Bowen
DOTTIES STAR makes a first appearance on sand in almost two years but is worth monitoring for some market confidence. The daughter of German Derby winner Sea The Moon has troubled the judge in recent races over hurdles at Plumpton and Huntingdon, and with little past experience on the AW could raise her game.
Race 8 No5 COMPRADOR
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
No Nay Never colt COMPRADOR gets cheek pieces added following a costly defeat at Newcastle for which he started 2-5. On reflection he spoiled his chance by racing freely, and is worth giving the chance to bounce back.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No8 HAZIYM (Each Way)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jack Doughty
Although he is slated to start amongst the roughies, HAZIYM could earn as one of a trio of runners from his stable. Carroll is the champion trainer on the all-weather and regularly fires plenty of mud at the wall, and after another drop in the ratings this Looe De Vega chestnut can figure.
Race 6 No1 CONSTITUTION HILL
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Ryan Moore
No horse has attracted as much publicity this year than CONSTITUTION HILL who at the age of nine belatedly embarks on a Flat career, for which this is a second step. Following his visually impressive success under Oisin Murphy at Southwell he now has Ryan Moore in his saddle for what should be a penalty kick. The aim will be for Moore to absorb the run and then advise Henderson and owner Michael Buckley of the type of races the gelding should be running in, and over what distance. The John Porter Stakes at Newbury has been mooted as a likely target, but the question of whether a Cup campaign over further makes sense remains in the melting pot. Good for racing is that this former Champion Hurdle winner is a huge draw wherever he goes, and will ensure Kempton has its biggest crowd since the Christmas meeting.
Race 7 No2 KNIGHT TEMPLAR (Nap)
Trainer: Robert Stephens – Jockey: Hector Crouch
As Constitution Hill is not a wagering option, KNIGHT TEMPLAR figures as my idea of the best bet on this card. He ran well in defeat at Southwell before defying a big weight rise to land a handicap hurdle at Taunton. Furthermore he’s a winner at this course under both racing codes, and will not be inconvenienced by the trip.
Race 8 No6 TERRIES ROYALE
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
It’s taken a few runs for the penny to drop for TERRIES ROYALE on the all-weather, but when finishing fourth at Wolverhampton earlier in the month he was racing for only the second time out of the Carroll yard. It was an encouraging run, and if improved on makes him the one to beat operating from the base of the weights.
