Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming from Catterick Bridge, Ludlow, Perth, and Taunton on 22 April 2026.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 3 No4 MYTHICAL VALENTINE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
Sottsass colt MYTHICAL VALENTINE has been hiding his light under a bushel since an encouraging display to finish third behind Charles Darnay at Kempton in early March. He’s a long striding individual for whom this first run on grass happens on a tighter track than ideal, but equally he has the potential to improve, and can stave off the attentions of his market rival CRANACHAN.
Race 5 No1 VINCE LE PRINCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
From a good draw, VINCE LE PRINCE could be poised for an overdue success. He’s been placed on four consecutive visits to this track, while his last success in the autumn of 2024 also happened here. It’s also encouraging that the Easterby horses are starting to run well.
Race 7 No4 FREE PIC
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Barry McHugh
It should pay to have a close look at FREE PIC in the nightcap. The mare notched a first success of 2026 when downing an in form and unexposed rival here earlier in the month. She wasn’t stopping at the finish which suggests today’s longer trip will not be a problem.
LUDLOW
Race 1 No1 UN SENS A LA VIE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twoston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Course winner UN SENS A LA VIE attracted plenty of support before finishing fourth in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury since when he’s enjoyed a freshening break. Winner of a point, a bumper and two hurdles, he should outclass his foes on this move back into novice company.
Race 3 No6 PETTY CASH (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Breathing issues have haunted PETTY CASH, but should the gelding avoid that annoying problem he has to go well back at his local course. The jury remains out as to whether the latest of two wind operations has worked, and his trainer adds insurance with the addition of a tongue tie. He’s carded to start at a double figure price which makes him a risk worth taking.
Race 4 No3 AFTER MANY DAYS
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Perennial bridesmaid AFTER MANY DAYS has finished second in four of her last five starts whilst doing little wrong. Her lack of a finishing kick means her rider has to commit early. That trait could finally bring about a way overdue first career success in a race where she’s the clear form pick.
PERTH
Race 1 No7 OFF THE JURY (Nap)
Trainer: Mickey Bowen – Jockey: James Bowen
The first race of the Perth Festival sees Gordon Elliott field two runners but one that can spoil Irish plans is OFF THE JURY. The talented Nap is having a first outing after a third wind op which can greatly assist him. Though still to win under Rules, he has bundles of talent and is capable of mixing it with better opposition than he faces today.
Race 3 No4 BLUE RUN (Each Way)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
It’s hard to put a line through the names of any of the six runners in this cracking novices’ hurdle but for value at his forecast double figure price BLUE RUN is worth considering. The six-year-old made abnormal improvement to hack up on a second career start at Southwell and has scope to build on that. He’s surely not making the long journey from Lambourn just for the goodness of his health.
TAUNTON
Race 1 No7 PARCHMENT (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
PARCHMENT has a point to prove on a first outing since last November. The former French based gelding, who scored on his only start there at Clairefontaine, came back with a breathing issue after disappointing on Rules debut at Kempton. Corrective surgery means he’s firmly back in the game, with the additional insurance of a first time tongue strap.
Race 3 No2 MYRIGHTHANDMAN
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
MYRIGHTHANDMAN has earned in each of his three outings over hurdles since undergoing wind surgery, including when failing to justify strong market support at Kempton in March. It was disappointing to see him flatten out when asked to make a challenge but a near two month break has done him good, and the better ground is what he wants for this move into handicap company.
