Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming from Taunton, Ludlow,Wetherby and Chelmsford City on 26 February 2026.
TAUNTON
Race 1 No5 KHAFRE (Nap)
Trainer: Syd Hosie – Jockey: Paddy Hanlon
Local trainers should fill the places in a novice hurdle where KHAFRE can prove the answer. The winning pointer ran well in a better race at Cheltenham on Rules debut before throwing his chance away by hanging at Wincanton. He’s been given a short break, which should have done him a power of good.
Race 3 No1 SHERBORNE
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
This handicap chase features a number with obvious claims, but in spite of his welter burden SHERBORNE looks set for a deserved change of luck. He’s gone 2342 on his last four of five outings this season, and having been nudged down the ratings can end the winning spree of FAT FACED COLUMBO.
Race 4 No4 INFERNO SACREE
Trainer: Nigel Hawke – Jockey: Murray Dodd
Confirmed front runner INFERNO SACREE was mugged in the final strides at Catterick to post the latest of three near misses. Side stepping a subsequent opportunity might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the selection, who is fresh for this return at a track that should play to his strengths.
LUDLOW
Race 2 No2 BALLYCAMUS (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
In the most historic race run at this venue, BALLYCAMUS has a great chance of taking away the silverware. He’s unbeaten in two visits here over fences, latterly when gamely getting up close home on his latest outing before Christmas. He’s thrived for a freshening break and should prove hard to beat against mainly out of form opponents.
Race 3 No5 RING O ROSES (Each Way)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Richie McLernon
RNG O ROSES hasn’t had much to shout about in three starts this season and will go off at a massive price for this mares’ handicap hurdle. However, if her form with Henry De Bromhead in Ireland could be repeated she would be one of the favourites. This is only her fifth outing out of Knight’s Oxfordshire yard and it’s not out of the question she can up her game, but as a purely speculative advice.
WETHERBY
Race 2 No3 SKI LODGE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
SKI LODGE has proved costly to follow since his switch to fences, starting favourite for each of his three defeats. However he’s none the worse for an uncharacteristic spill at Hereford last time, and can give his relatively quiet stable a needed boost by taking the spoils in the colours of the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate.
Race 7 No6 HALFWAY HOUSE LAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Maurice Barnes – Jockey: Charlie Maggs
At a course where jumping ability is very important, HALFWAY HOUSE LAD can earn. He’s not managed to progress as it seemed he would since his back to back successes at this time last year but is a regular earner who on a going day could cause problems for these with his attacking style.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 7 No3 NIGHT BEAR (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jack Doughty
A night of low grade racing ends with a possible winning opportunity in the form of NIGHT BEAR. There’s been a consistent ring to the chestnut in his three earning starts this year, while a belated first visit to this course could assist in his mission.
