Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming from Huntingdon, Sedgefield, and Newcastle on 19 February 2026.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No2 IDAHO VALLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
Although he’s squandered a few chances, IDAHO VALLEY will surely not find a more attractive opportunity than this. The six-year-old faces nothing of the calibre of the horses that beat him at Sedgefield and Carlisle, and has the makings NHS of a professional bet if he’s odds against.
Race 6 No3 AFTER MANY DAYS
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
AFTER MANY DAYS looked the likely winner for much of the trip at Leicester until getting worried out of it at the finish. She’s put together a string of earning efforts for her long-standing owners, and would be a worthy winner of this.
Race 7 No3 THRUTHELOOKINGLASS
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
THRUTHELOOKINGLASS jumped particularly well and looked the winner of his race at Lingfield for much of the journey. Although grabbed in the closing stages he had a couple of recent winners in his wake, and after being selectively campaigned over the last two seasons remains unexposed.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 3 No4 FORGED WELL (Nap)
Trainer: Martin Todhunter – Jockey: Ryan Mania
FORGED WELL scored over fences and might have added to his laurels but for unseating his rider at Musselburgh. Back over hurdles, the visored gelding appeals as the only bet on this card.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No9 TEAM PLAYER (Each Way)
Trainer: Ewan Whillans – Jockey: Greg Fairley
TEAM PLAYER is an interesting contender on a first start since the autumn and a first from the Whillans stable. A dual scorer for Gemma Tutty, the chestnut ran well to trouble the judge in each of his other four starts for that trainer including when third on a first visit to Gosforth Park and when narrowly denied at Ascot’s Shergar Cup. This rider restricted race marks a step down the class ladder which aided by a first time tongue tie he can take.
Race 3 No3 FACTUAL (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
Sioux Nation colt FACTUAL made a winning debut at Salisbury when popular in the market, and when returning from a six month break went down in a blanket finish at Lingfield. He was beaten by a more experienced foe who knew too much for him, but has learned plenty from that first run on sand. He can add to his trainer’s excellent record with three-year-olds at this track.
Race 4 No9 DEQUINTO
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Myla Coppins
DEQUINTO brings recent course and distance winning form to the table in which he smoothly accounted for ESQUE ELEGANCE. Under the same apprentice who rode him he can confirm his superiority and make it back-to-back successes.
Race 5 No2 BULLINGTON BOY
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Jack Garritty Ramsden
has done well with new recruits to his stable and BULLINGTON BOY can prove another. He’s troubled the judge on both outings this year, and from his new surroundings can show further progression to open his account.
