Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming from Ludlow, Southwell and Kempton Park on 18 February 2026.
LUDLOW
Race 2 No11 HORNICA
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
HORNICA can prove a match for her mainly male opponents in a novices’ hurdle that shouldn’t take too much winning. All three of her races this season were deeper than this, especially when she finished second at Windsor. If she repeats that level of form in these calmer waters she should open her account.
Race 3 No8 REGAL RENAISSANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: David Bass
Henry Daly is a short price to win this mares’ handicap chase with one of his three runners. MINNIEMUM has a lot of weight for a slightly built individual while PARTY VIBES brings the best form to the party but needs to bounce back from a poor run over hurdles at Sandown. That leaves REGAL RENAISSANCE as the one to offer most value, taking stock of her fine record at this track which reads 4416124232422F.
Race 4 No5 PETTY CASH (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Miss Eleanor William
PETTY CASH has to be forgiven his underwhelming run at Huntingdon when from travelling sweetly he went out like a light. The nine-year-old had previously returned from a lengthy absence to chase home Ben Solo at Chepstow. It transpired he had a breathing issue, which has hopefully been corrected by a recent operation.
Race 7 No4 MANIGOD
Trainer: Warren Greatrex – Jockey: Harry Bannister
MANIGOD has hit the woodwork in three starts but the form has held up to suggest he just needs a change of luck, which this move into a handicap can bring about. It’s a longer trip but he should stay, and we know he handles the easy conditions.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No3 MIXEDWAVE
Trainer: Pam Sly – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
MIXEDWAVE isn’t easy to catch right but could represent the value. The key is his jumping, which was slipshod at best when he was beaten a long way at Leicester. He was also far too keen at the Oadby course. If he jumps better and is held up it can bring about some stark improvement.
Race 5 No1 HIDOR DE BERSY
Trainer: Mel Rowley – Jockey: Mrs Vicki Sollitt
With most of the runners badly out of form, HIDOR DE BERSY may prove the answer to this handicap hurdle. He’s 3lb higher than for his cosy conversion at Wincanton from which he’s been given plenty of time to recover. He’s less likely to get things his own way in the bigger field, but against that his confidence is on a high, and he goes well for his pilot.
Race 6 No1 ASA (Nap)
Trainer: Phil Kirby – Jockey: Joe Williamson
ASA was having a first run over fences for a year when landing the same Catterick race for a second year in succession. What appeals about her on this immediate switch back to hurdling is that she also won this race 12 months ago. She’s 5lb higher but has clearly been prepared for the same back-to-back winning experience as in 2025, and it looks achievable.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No3 SILVER STATE (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
SILVER STATE seeks to further capitalise on a hot streak of form which saw him blow his rivals away at Wolverhampton Saturday. He’s on a hat-trick mission under a 6lb penalty, but went up 11lb on Tuesday, which means he’s 5lb well in. Dawes knows him and the combination can end a similarly impressive run of MARIA DA SILVA in what looks a strictly two horse war.
Race 4 No2 COMIC HERO
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
COMIC HERO improved from race to race in three 2025 outings and is bred to enjoy this first attempt at the 1400 metres trip. It was by the length of a well smoked cigarette that he was beaten when last seen at Newbury last July, and he’s worked well on an all-weather surface in preparation for this.
Race 5 No5 SILENT STRIKE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
Mehmas colt SILENT STRIKE attracted a welter of support on debut only to find his inexperience costing him at the business end. He proved his ability to act on Polytrack in that Lingfield race, and has learned plenty from it.
