Alan Kelly’s Tips

Alan heads to Ludlow on Wednesday for his best bet

Updated: February 17, 2026 at 9:30 pm GMT+0

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An excellent week ending Saturday 14th February with five winning days out of six, along with successful naps at 8/1, 3/1, and 4/6. The three losing naps all pulled-up for one reason or another, the most disappointing being that of Myretown in Haydock’s Grand National Trial on Saturday.

The Russell/Scudamore-trained gelding weakened so quickly when headed that connections must be scratching their heads regarding last year’s impressive Ultima winner.

To rub salt into the wound, Grand Geste, our nap when pulled-up in last month’s Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster, showed his true form at the Merseyside racecourse with a comfortable victory.

  • P/L for the week ending Sunday, 15 February: +£19.92
  • P/L for the year 2026 to date: +£40.13
  • P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38
  • P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
  • P/L since 1st September 2022: +£540.79

Alan Kelly's Tips - Wednesday, 18 February

We head to the meeting at Ludlow for Wednesday’s horse racing selections, the going at the Shropshire racecourse currently described as soft, with a cloudy forecast for the day.


3:05pm Ludlow - Theonewedreamof

It's very much a case of the usual suspects for this Challenger Mares’ Chase Series Qualifier with Minnimum, Party Vibes, Molto Bene, Georgi Girl, Malaita and Regal Renaissance all having form in similar races, many on this course. I like the chances of the ex Gavin Cromwell-trained THEONEWEDREAMOF however, now in the care of the title-chasing Dan Skelton.

The daughter of French Navy ran well on her first three starts for connections, recording a comfortable win at Exeter on the second occasion before going down narrowly to fellow rival Party Vibes in a 15-runner qualifier at Cheltenham’s December meeting.

A visit to Hereford just seven days later, when fifth of the 10 runners, probably came too soon for Tristan Durrell’s mount, who is fancied to continue her progression following a break of two months. 

Recommendation: Theonewedreamof - 5/1 with bet365


3:35pm Ludlow - Jacks Parrot (Nap)

The Venetia Willams stable had their first winners in some time at the weekend and in top weight Busksy Des Epeires they have a potentially well-handicapped horse, the mount of Miss Lucy Turner last successful off a mark only 1lb higher at Ascot 15 months ago. Lightly-raced over fences and still only 7, a big run from the gelding would come as no surprise despite a series of poor efforts of late.

The Twiston-Davies’ The Newest One returned to something like his best form when runner-up at Warwick on the final day of last year and is respected, along with Fergal O’Brien’s Landen Calling and Petty Cash, the latter subjected to two recent wind ops. However, this Prince Of Wales Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase looks a perfect opportunity for the Greenall/Guerriera contender JACKS PARROT (Nap) to record his first victory since winning races at Uttoxeter and Perth over today’s trip of 3m in April of 2024.

The mount of 3lb amateur Mr Huw Edwards has been running well in defeat since those two successes, most recently when finishing third behind a well-handicapped Grand Geste in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock just before Christmas. That horse gave the form a massive boost when winning the Grand National Trial on that course four days ago. Of today’s 7 runners, Jacks Parrot is the one most likely to be staying on best of all the business end of the race.

Recommendation: Jacks Parrot (Nap) - 11/4 with bet365


2:43pm Newcastle (Eider Chase Saturday) - Anglers Crag

The passing of 1969 Grand National winning jockey Eddie Harty last week reminded me of the Eider Chase of that year. Still in short trousers, after watching the victory of the Toby Balding-trained Highland Wedding (with Bob Champion in the saddle) in Newcastle's extreme stamina test, I was convinced I had just seen the next winner of the world's most famous steeplechase on that February afternoon.

After telling everyone who would listen, and even those who wouldn’t, it remains to say that I was the most popular boy in school the following Monday after the 12-year-old had romped home by 12 lengths on ground officially described as firm (I know, hard to believe now). Anyway, fast forward a minor 57 years later and the important matter of this year’s renewal at the north-east racecourse on Saturday.

While it is highly unlikely that this year’s Virgin Bet-sponsored extended 4m 1f marathon will have any bearing on the outcome of the great race in less than two months time, I am keen on a repeat victory for 2024 winner ANGLERS CRAG, now in the care of Nicky Richards after leaving trainer Brian Ellison last November.

After totally losing his form on his last six starts for Ellison, it was thought a change of scenery may rejuvenate the 11-year-old, who made his debut for Richards in an extended 3m handicap at Carlisle later that month. With jockey Danny McMenamin setting out to make the running, his mount never looked in any danger of defeat, eventually cruising home by 9 lengths from his 7 rivals.

Straight after the race, the Eider Chase popped into my mind, thoughts which were echoed by Richards in a post-race interview. Not seen since that win of almost three months ago, connections are clearly keen on retaining the gelding’s current handicap mark of 130, only 4lb higher than when previously successful. 

Saturday’s forecast heavy ground will hold no fears for the son of Multiplex, who is fancied to give his trainer a second victory in the race following that of Baywing in 2018.

Recommendation: Anglers Crag - 8/1 with Coral


* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.


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About Alan Kelly

A passionate follower of horse racing for over 50 years, Alan has enjoyed a 40-year career in the betting industry, 28 of which he spent running his betting shop as an owner/manager.

A successful punter with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights, including a Scoop 6 win and has shown a consistent profit in the battle with bookmakers since joining Freebets.com in 2008.

You can follow Alan Kelly on Twitter for more racing insight.


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Alan Kelly
Alan Kelly

A successful punter, with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights down the years, including a Scoop 6 win and has shown a consistent profit in the battle with bookmakers since joining Free Bets.

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