Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming from Plumpton , Hereford and Wolverhampton on 26 January 2026.
PLUMPTON
Race 2 No7 RETETI (Nap)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
Since going hurdling the 2024 Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly has shown vulnerability despite winning, and it might pay to take him on with RETETI. Though disappointing in five outings on the Flat the gelding has shown more in three hurdling runs including when second on the latest over course and distance. He did well to get as close after running with the choke out, and will boost his chances if consenting to settle.
Race 5 No5 PIPERS CROSS
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Cameron Johnstone
PIPERS CROSS hails from a yard that is getting back into the big time following the victory of Ma Shantou at Cheltenham. My selection couldn’t hold a candle to her stablemate, but looked to be running back into some form when troubling the judge at Exeter where she looked to be given too much to do. It’s hard to know where the pace will come from in this small field, but she’s definitely ready to win.
Race 6 No2 SHANTOU LUCKY
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Nathan Howie
SHANTOU LUCKY was out of his comfort zone dropped back in trip last time, but now goes to the other end of the stamina spectrum to contest this three and a quarter mile handicap chase. The testing conditions are a worry, but he won over course and distance back in November in the last of a five race blitz of successes, while he’s temptingly priced in an open affair.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No1 DRACO MALFOY (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
DRACO MALFOY impressively opened his account under Rules at Huntingdon before making a good fist of it against the talented Get On George at Doncaster. This longer trip will play to his strengths against class dropper BIG TICKET.
Race 2 No2 SKI LODGE
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
SKI LODGE has gone 222 this season without doing anything wrong. His transition to fences resulted in near misses at Uttoxeter and Haydock, and interestingly this is his first experience of racing on a right-handed track. The bumper and hurdles winner is too good to remain a maiden over fences for long, and this looks a perfect opportunity.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No1 MASTER DANDY
Trainer: Michael Keady – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
MASTER DANDY has rarely caught the eye in betting exchanges but that was not the case when he opened his account for Keady over course and distance last week. Backed in to 15-8, the chestnut benefitted from a fine judgement of pace from Loughnane to get up in the final strides. The way he finished suggests moving up to 1200 metres this evening will be just his cup of tea.
Race 3 No1 KING OF CHAOS
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Luke Morris
KING OF CHAOS attracted support on a first run for Cunha at Newcastle, and though a tad disappointing that day may be worth giving another chance to in this weakly contested affair. It was the chestnut’s first run on the all-weather, and he’s hopefully learned from it.
Race 5 No2 CHANTELLE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
CHANTELLE was a 16-1 roughie when downing an odds-on foe on her introduction over course and distance at the turn of the year. The Gleneagles filly responded to her pilot’s urgings and was well on top at the finish, and will have learned in spades from that experience. Giving 5lb to Denver Doll and Get An Attitude makes life tougher, but she is all quality.
