Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming from Newbury, Musselburgh , Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton on 20 March 2026.
NEWBURY
Race 4 No7 LUTTRELL LAD
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Alice Stevens
With only three runs under his belt this season LUTTRELL LAD is a fresh horse. He’s been campaigned as a summer jumper in the past and will be making up for lost time on the better ground. He gets weight from the field and looks over priced.
Race 5 No9 PETTY CASH (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
One I’ve been waiting for is PETTY CASH. The nine-year-old has shaped well since a second breathing operation and was very eyecatching at Ludlow where he was looked after when his chance had gone. In that amateur riders’ race I felt he finished like a fresh horse, and it will be very interesting to see what happens now he has a top flight professional doing the steering.
Race 6 No14 RING O ROSES (Each Wa)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Former useful Irish trained hurdler RING O ROSES is a mare with a point to prove. There’s never been a semblance of support for her in five outings for Knight but she ran better than her placing suggests at Ludlow recently, and can step up on that.
Race 7 No8 MISTER COFFEY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Mr Daniel Williams
MISTER COFFEY didn’t manage to win a chase in 19 attempts but his luck can change now he goes down the hunter route. His second in a veterans’ chase at Cheltenham back in November is strong form to bring into this, while his poor cross-country chase run is best forgotten in the context of today’s race.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 1 No6 QUERCUS ROBUR (Nap)
Trainer: Adam Nicol – Jockey: Ryan Mania
This looks a punter friendly card and QUERCUS ROBUR should get the ball rolling by taking out the maiden hurdle. A winner on the Flat here in November, he troubled the judge on a first outing over hurdles and bettered that when second to a useful foe at Kelso. He can make life difficult for former Group 3 scorer ALSAKIB, who after getting beaten on his first two hurdling starts now returns following a wind op and has something to prove.
Race 3 No15 DISCO ANNIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Nathan Moscrop
DISCO ANNIE came in for late support and stayed on well up the final hill to trouble the judge at Carlisle. She’s back on a workable mark, and should prove even more effective on this easier terrain. This is a competitive affair but she appeals as value at her forecast odds.
Race 4 No1 SANILAM
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
SANILAM carries top weight in this feature remembering the great Night Nurse, but it might not stop him. He experienced a blip when raised in grade two starts back, but over a longer trip and equipped with a hood bounced back to sweep aside a horse that was backed to beat him at Newcastle, and that display can be repeated.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 6 No6 SONIC SI (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Matthew Slater
This card doesn’t float my boat for punting, with SONIC SI the one exception. The Nap has improved from race to race and as long as he gets a strong pace to aim at this is a good opportunity for him to shed his maiden tag.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No4 CHARLIE MASON (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
CHARLIE MASON has been a beaten favourite on three of his last four starts but can now enjoy a deserved change of luck to belatedly score at this course for the first time in his career.
Race 3 No2 PLEASANT MAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Finley Marsh
PLEASANT MAN went off quite hard at Lingfield and in consideration of that kept on well when headed to dead heat for third. The Galileo gelding is in very good order and should not be underestimated.
Race 6 No5 DOSMAN
Trainer: Oli Rix – Jockey: Jonny Peate
DOSMAN has thrived since joining the Rix yard. Having posted a deserved success in a Class3 at Southwell he can consolidate in this similar affair in which he’s taken to beat FIRST PRINCIPLE.
Race 7 No6 METALLO (Each Way)
Traner: John Butler – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
On a first run out of this yard METALLO finished like a train at Lingfield and would have won in another two strides. He responded positively to the application of a hood which is retained. He looks a more reliable proposition than SPANISH VOICE who was way too keen when folding tamely at Kempton, and needs to bounce back.
Race 8 No9 DRAGON LEADER
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Former smart sprinter DRAGON LEADER attracted plenty of support on return from a lay off at this course and while unable to land a blow shaped with a certain amount of promise. The run suggests he’s retained much of his old ability, and Rossa Ryan retains the mount.
Race 9 No9 PAPA COCKTAIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
Having held his own at Class4 level, PAPA COCKTAIL faces perhaps his toughest test so far, but granted luck in running can reward each way backing. His best form has been at this course, and it’s on the cards he will get the strongly run affair that brings out the best in him.
