Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Ludlow, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park on 17 December 2025
NEWBURY
Race 3 No2 STARZAND (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
STARZAND made it three wins on the bounce on hurdling debut at Ffos Las to get the job done with a handy turn of foot. This is a step up in class for the five-year-old, but he’s well regarded by his trainer, and can take it in his stride.
Race 5 No1 LOOKAWAY
Trainer: Neil King – Jockey: J M Quinlan
On the back of a second breathing operation, LOOKAWAY can make his class count. He made a good fist of it to go down narrowly on his return to action over hurdles at Uttoxeter and should relish the return to fences in a race where HIGHLANDS LEGACY poses a real threat getting lumps of weight from the selection.
Race 7 No1 GALAXY STAR
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
GALAXY STAR can prove the better of two Barbury Castle contenders for the concluding fillies’ bumper. She made a winning start at Stratford in a race that’s been boosted more than once, and though lumbered with a 7lb penalty can remain unbeaten.
LUDLOW
Race 1 No1 UN SENS A LA VIE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Point, bumper and hurdles winner UN SENS A LA VIE can take full advantage of a class drop to take out the opener. He spoiled his chance by pulling for his head in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in October, but had scored cosily at Market Rasen before that, then stayed on well to chase home Old Park Star at Kempton. The latter boosted the form with an emphatic win at Cheltenham.
Race 4 No6 ROCKINASTORM
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: David Bass
Daly takes two on the short journey from his Downton Hall stables to his local track, with ROCKINASTORM preferred to Rapper. The selection is a dual scorer here over fences and had run well until falling at the last when returning at Cheltenham in the autumn. Back on his favoured terrain he should get into the shake-up.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 7 No6 CHARLIE’S CHOICE (Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock : Jockey: Taryn Langley
The ultra consistent CHARLIE’S CHOICE had a rare off day when picking up a minor cheque here last time. That may ensure he starts today’s race at longer odds than he should, making him a value win and place proposition against the odds-on MERSEA ISLAND.
Race 9 No1 VILLALOBOS (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Hodgson – Jockey: Finley Marsh
VILLALOBOS looks the best bet on a poor card for wagering on a mark 1lb lower than that off which he was narrowly denied over course and distance last week. He’s been in good form since returning to race on Polytrack in the late summer, and faces a field of mainly out of form opponents.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No5 WESTCOMBE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Poppy Scott
WESTCOMBE has attracted support on both starts for his trainer this season without winning. He seemed to take longer than was expected to reach top gear at Southwell last time, and though closing in on the one that beat him, ran out of real estate. A strong pace would certainly assist this good looking individual who is the best horse in the race.
Race 5 No3 ANCIENT WISDOM
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Former Group 1 winner ANCIENT WISDOM can take out the featured Listed race at the expense of DUBAI HONOUR. Since that Doncaster triumph in 2023 he’s been unfortunate only to add a single Group 3 to his CV, having finished second in three of five outings this year, latterly behind Hamish in the St Simon Stakes at Newbury in which the principals pulled clear. Interestingly this is his first career start on an artificial surface, but he’s been working well on the Polytrack in Newmarket.
Race 9 No3 MISTER SANDMAN
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Tom Queally
MISTER SANDMAN has been a beaten favourite on both outings since joining his trainer but any losses can now be recouped with interest in the nightcap. His race was over soon after the start at Chelmsford where he became restless, and after being slowly away as a consequence, ran too free. He has cheek pieces added this evening, and can open his account.
