Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming from Haydock Park, Wincanton, Lingfield Park, and Newcastle on 05 March 2026.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 5 No4 HEATHER HONEY
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Peter Kavanagh
HEATHER HONEY will enjoy the drying ground and represents a race here that has worked out especially well. That earning run was boosted when the winner went on to land a Grade 2 and it could be argued that my selection didn’t enjoy the run of things, as she finished with a wet sail.
Race 6 a No7 LAND OF PUNT (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
LAND OF PUNT races as though a step in trip should prove what the doctor ordered, and he will experience that today. The former pointer put in a career best when third at Plumpton and with the addition of cheek pieces can open his account.
WINCANTON
Race 4 No7 PENN AVENUE
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
As an unexposed four-year-old, PENN AVENUE needs to be taken seriously in this two miles handicap hurdle which is her first run in this type of race. The Mohaather filly brings figures of 3433 to the table and will be happy in the conditions for a stable that’s now amongst the winners.
Race 6 No5 PILSDON PEN (Nap)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
While it’s difficult to know what to make of PILSDON PEN following three underwhelming efforts since his fine comeback win at this course, I’m tempted to give him one more chance to bounce back. If he’s had trouble breathing, which I think is the reason, the application of a tongue tie could rectify the problem.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No5 AGE OF TIME
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Toby Moore
The blinkered AGE OF TIME a hit the crossbar again on his latest start at Newcastle but is overdue a change of luck. That can happen with apprentice Toby Moore taking 5lb off his back.
Race 2 No7 FOLK PAGEANT (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: S D Bowen
FOLK PAGEANT ran into a horse that went on to be rated 105 on her only start at Ayr and that’s very good form to bring to the party on this first all-weather run. She’s trained well on a similar surface at home and can endorse with a comeback success the promise she showed that day.
Race 5 No1 BRADBURY
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Helping to make it a good afternoon for Middleham trainers, BRADBURY can also justify the long haul from North Yorkshire with an earning run. He’s going into handicaps with a platers’ mark. Over this much longer trip that he’s bred to appreciate he is definitely worth a close look in the market.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No3 NIKOVO (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
NIKOVO was found out in a muddling race at Kempton last week but can show himself to be far more effective now back at Newcastle. This bigger field should provide the pace angle he needs to aim at, and if getting the timing right his customary late charge can earn him a deserved first win of 2026.
Race 6 No8 DIGITAL
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: James Sullivan
DIGITAL has been in a rich vein of form during a sequence of eight straight visits to Gosforth Park. This has yielded three successes and three near misses, latterly when needing just another two strides to catch Harb over this trip last month. The Kodi Bear gelding is in great heart, and can go one better.
Race 7 No9 WOODRAFF
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: James Sullivan
The same trainer/jockey combo can strike with WOODRAFF, who having been cut some slack by the assessor should find the drop into the classified division just what’s needed to post a first success since the autumn of 2025.
