Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Wincanton , Warick, and Southwell on 20 November 2025.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 6 No13 UNDERSTUDY
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
The first of two Listed races on this card can go to UNDERSTUDY, whose second placing in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot is easily the best form on offer. The Sea The Stars filly might not have backed it up when out of the money in a Group 3 last time, but a return to Polytrack should see her bounce back, and at the main expense of FAIRY GLEN.
Race 7 No4 SKY SAFARI (Nap)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
SKY SAFARI has been invincible on sand and should make this a fifth all-weather triumph from as many starts in a match up with SHUWARI. This is a step up the class ladder for the Nap, but she has the perfect draw and can complete a hat-trick to put the seal on a great season.
WINCANTON
Race 4 No9 BANKSMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
The flashy BANKSMAN troubled the judge on a second start over hurdles and has shown he gets two miles. It makes him an interesting contender for this first handicap assignment in which he’s completely unexposed.
Race 6 No3 PEP TALKING (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Jack Andrews
PEP TALKING has done this column a few favours, including when when leading throughout on his latest outing at Wetherby. If getting his own way from the front off his revised mark, and on ground that will suit, he should prove hard to beat.
WARWICK
Race 2 No2 BARON NOIR
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
It’s hard to knock the bumper form of BARON NOIR, who chased home a couple of smart foes at Newbury before opening his account at Punchestown. He’s looked the part in his preparation for a switch to hurdles, and can make a winning return at the main expense of BOSSMAN JACK.
Race 3 No6 CAST’S TASHA (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Clarke – Jockey: Toby McCain-Mitchell
A value option in this mares’ handicap hurdle could be CAST’S TASHA. In a select campaign the Westerner eight-year-old scored on reappearance at Ffos Las and then chased home a well regarded winner at Haydock. While she went out very quickly on her final start at Lingfield it could be a mistake to ignore her, especially if she’s near her paper price.
Race 4 No3 HILLCREST (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: David Bass
All bets looked off for HILLCREST when he faded in a novice chase on his latest start here but the giant has enjoyed his summer at grass, and can dominate a race that could set him up for a bountiful season ahead. He had the world at his feet until injury curtailed his novice hurdling career, and though getting older has few miles on his racing clock. He’s the most interesting runner over jumps today, and I hope he proves the best.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No3 HERETIC (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
Granted his preference for this course HERETIC needs to be taken seriously in his bid to complete a hat-trick. All but two of his 13 starts for Herrington have been at this track, culminating in back-to-back victories last month in which he arrived late on the scene. He’s higher in the weights, but remains a potent force at the bottom grade and can win again.
Race 5 No14 PAPA COCKTAIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
Stablemate PAPA COCKTAIL has regularly troubled the judge with his strong finishes from off the pace. His draw two off the fence means he will get plenty of cover……he just needs to see some racing real estate in the closing stages to again get into the money and is a bet I’m looking forward to.
Race 6 No7 NEW YORK MINUTE
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Hector Crouch
Ramsden is putting down some good foundations after returning from South Africa and brings an in form stayer to the table on a first run from his yard in the form of NEW YORK MINUTE. The gelding frequently attracts support, as was the case for his successes at Chelmsford and this course, and could find himself even better armed by the addition of a first time visor.
Race 7 No7 SAXON PRINCE
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Hector Crouch
Another big winning chance for Crouch arrives in the shape of SAXON PRINCE. The Saxon Warrior colt was too green to do himself justice against a long odds on rival on a first run here, but has learned plenty from that experience, and should be spot on.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 No4 SOHO SQUARE
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Kevin Stott
Showcasing filly SOHO SQUARE brings course and distance winning form to the table as the least exposed runner in the field. On just a third start for her trainer she’s likely to raise her game, and can put behind her a disappointing effort at Wolverhampton last time.
Race 7 No9 RAIN CAP (Nap)
Trainer: John Riches – Jockey: Ethan Tindall
RAIN CAP to beat course specialist CONCERT BOY is how this might work out. The selection needs luck in running owing to his hood up style of racing, but if getting the gaps is weighted to win on a return to the 1400 metres distance.
