Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming Catterick Bridge, Lingfield Park and Kempton Park from on 21 January 2026.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 2 No3 RED OAK (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
This can fall to the consistent RED OAK, who ran out a convincing scorer to open his account under Rules at Musselburgh. He beat a good yardstick in Timefortom, with the remainder stretched out like washing. It was just a second run in the UK for the selection, who should have more to offer,
Race 4 No8 INFERNO SACRE
Trainer: Nigel Hawke – Jockey: Murray Dodd
The eye is drawn to INFERNO SACREE on his long journey to North Yorkshire from the West Country. The five times winner in early 2023 hasn’t managed to add to his fine tally, but he’s the most consistent performer, and after near misses at Plumpton and Taunton can deservedly return to winning ways.
Race 5 No6 VALENCE D’AUMONT
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
VALENCE D’AUMONT is very interesting as he defends a two race unbeaten record at this course. Those handicap chase triumphs stretched between January and December last year, with that recent effort showing him to be a dogged stayer who relishes a battle. There’s every reason to believe he’s not coming here just for the goodness of his health.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No6 WHITELEY WAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Gary Brown – Jockey: Harry Brown
Although she’s been a slow burner, WHITELEY WAY a might have at last been found the opening she requires to post a belated first career success. The Sixties Icon mare tan well to trouble the judge both on the grass and in an AW race before the turn of the year and is picking up prize money for her new handler on a regular basis.
Race 8 No1 BELL SHOT (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Rab Havlin
BELL SHOT has thrived since coming off a turf summer campaign to progress in each of three starts on sand. It resulted in him gaining a last gasp verdict when a 33-1 roughie at Southwell on New Year’s Day. He put together back-to-back successes last season, and returns at the same level as his latest win with strong claims to follow-up.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No3 BREATHE EASY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
From a stable that’s given us some well supported winner this week, BREATHE EASY needs a market check in this 1400 metres maiden. It looks an ideal distance for the selection, who upped his game when troubling the judge at Southwell. He needs to find 3xtra to win this, but he can.
Race 7 No5 SHRIMP SHADY (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Balding does well with horses like SHRIMP SHADY who is the least experienced contender for this mile and a quarter handicap but a worthy favourite. He did tend to over race in the early stages of his latest outing at Lingfield, but if settling can cope with the step up in trip to open his account.
