Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Doncaster, Ludlow, and Kempton Park on 19 February 2025.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No6 QUEENS WISH (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Irish point winner QUEENS WISH looked a tad raw when opening her account under Rules at Newcastle, though ultimately got the job done in authoritative fashion. With her burgeoning potential she should come out on top in what looks a straight match with Calimystic.
Race 5 No2 BENMORE
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Brian Hughes
BENMORE has always looked the type to do better in handicaps, making him very interesting for a trainer who knows the time of day. His frame finishes in a bumper and two maiden hurdles make him unexposed, and capable of improving past a field of more experienced opponents.
LUDLOW
Race 2 No1 BOLD RECRUIT (Nap)
Trainer: Billy Sprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Former Irish pointer BOLD RECRUIT is a first runner in a month for Aprahamian, who has given his horses an easy time away from the racecourse as some were suffering from a low grade virus. The six-year-old brings the best form to the table after placing in two bumpers and both outings over hurdles this season, and is very much the one to beat.
Race 3 No5 REGAL RENAISSANCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Locally trained REGAL RENAISSANCE has won three times and never been out of the frame in eight of nine other visits to this track, to make her something of a standing dish. Based on that impressive statistic, she can shrug aside an underwhelming recent run when out of the money at Fakenham and ensure by troubling the judge that normality is restored.
Race 5 No4 KELCE
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Miss Gina Andrews
Confirmed front runner KELCE squandered a good chance to add to his laurels when falling at Market Rasen. It was an uncharacteristic error and one that shouldn’t resurface in this weak affair in which he can lead from tape to line.
Race 6 No4 VOIX DE BOCELLI
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
VOIX DE BOCELLI responded well to forcing tactics and jumped beautifully when third at Hereford, only to fail to build on that on his next outing at Market Rasen. He’s not the most reliable of performers, but if bringing his best game to the table is capable of picking up another cheque, and at a price.
Race 7 No3 STONE’S THROW
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
STONE’S THROW enters the handicap spectrum after showing promise in a couple of his races over jumps. He’s been given a freshening break since his latest start at Taunton where he went out very quickly, but was found to be carrying a low grade virus. Well regarded, he’s an interesting proposition with that genuine excuse on his CV, and needs respecting.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 5 No4 PAPA OSCAR (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Dougie Costello
Unraced PAPA OSCAR wears a hood but in the Juddmonte colours won’t need to be any star to deliver at the first time of asking. His trainer does well with horses of this ilk, and has a good record with his runners on Polytrack.
Race 7 No5 GRENHAM BAY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Nicola Currie
With triumphs in two of his last three starts GRENHAM BAY takes the eye as the one to beat. He’s benefitted from a change of headgear, scoring on both occasions with blinkers, while his figures at this course in 2025 read an impressive 131.
Race 8 No4 CRACKING GOLD
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Dougie Costello
Costello has a good book of rides and CRACKING GOLD should prove hard to beat. In first time cheekpieces he finished second to a clear cut winner on a first run in six months, while his record in only four all-weather starts embraces two successes and two near misses. There should be more to come from him.
