Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming from Catterick Bridge, Southwell, and Kempton on 04 March 2026.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No7 RUSSIAN VIRTUE (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Joshua Thompson
Class dropper RUSSIAN VIRTUE has shown enough this season to believe he can play a part in the finish of the opening claiming hurdle. He wasn’t far away from a cheque in a better race at Carlisle last month, and faces his best winning opportunity for a while.
Race 5 No1 GABORIOT (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: Mr Huw Edwards
GABORIOT looks to have the bases covered as long as he puts in a clear round. He’s won his last three hunter-chases when getting completing and wasn’t entirely disgraced on his latest start in the valuable Becher Chase at Aintree, making him the clear form pick.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No8 HERETIC (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
HERETIC has returned to his previous winning mark but is quoted at a big double figure price the first division of this bottom level handicap round a lap of the track. A three times AW winner over this mile, he made a pleasing first run back in 2026 only to be made too much use of here three weeks ago. From his good slot in the gate he could earn, but needs to be given a chance.
Race 4 No3 HOMER STOKES (Nap)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
HOMER STOKES has delivered back-to-back near misses here and at Wolverhampton but the key today is a step up in trip for the eight-year-old who can foil last year’s winner of this race MASHAM MOOR. He’s in very good form and should mow down his rivals at the business end under a jockey who knows him.
Race 6 No1 FIVETHOUSANDTOONE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
From being out of form, FIVETHOUSANDTOONE showed more when making the podium on his latest of two starts this year at Newcastle. He absolutely flew from an impossible position to be narrowly denied, while he’s only 1lb above his last winning mark. He’s hard to win with but can swoop to conquer if there’s a pace collapse, which with a couple of front runners in the field is entirely possible.
Race 7 No7 ROADLESSTRAVELLED (Each Way)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
A couple of horses from major Flat yards dominate the market in this novice but ROADLESSTRAVELLED will have learned from his spin here two weeks ago when he finished sixth to Constitution Hill. He is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and no slouch, although the trip will be shorter than ideal for him.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No7 PICTURE PALACE (Each Way)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Harry Davies
PICTURE PALACE faces some well related opponents in an interesting novice but he did little wrong when second on his first run at Chelmsford for which he will be wiser. The Pinatubo colt has the pick of the draw, while his stable is in good form.
Race 6 No3 RIVER SPEY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
RIVER SPEY was galloping past trees when belatedly opening his account at Chelmsford and now returns from a winter break. He proved something of a ‘nearly’ horse last year before that first run on Polytrack but troubled the judge in a couple of good races in a Goodwood maiden and a York nursery, latterly when fourth to Ruby’s Angel. He’s done well physically and is one to follow whatever happens tonight.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
