Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming from Fontwell, Wetherby, Lingfield Park and Newcastle on 27 March 2026.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 6 No1 TEST THE MARKET (Nap)
Trainer: Jim Boyle – Jockey: Robbie Dunne
TEST THE MARKET returns on a first run since the autumn, but after three near misses this can be his day. He’s the final ray of hope for punters on a trappy card but has always promised to do well in handicaps, while his main opponent JUGGERNAUT has struggled to win to an even greater degree.
WETHERBY
Race 1 No9 PIONEER PETE (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
In similar vein PIONEER PETE can stem the tide of a series of podium finishes without a win. His figures of 232243 casts a shadow on his willingness to put his head in front but his trainer believes he’s been unlucky not to prevail, and now brings him back refreshed from a break on this better spring ground.
Race 2 No9 MIXEDWAVE
Trainer: Pam Sly – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
MIXEDWAVE has run well in each of his races since winning this race off a similar mark 12 months ago. He put in an improved display when taking away a minor cheque at Huntingdon last time, and now back on his favoured terrain should prove to be very competitive.
Race 6 No1 JONQUILLA
Trainer: Sara Humphries – Jockey: Sean Bowen
JONQUILLA has earned on all three starts under Rules to look like a winner waiting to happen. She has the best form, and holds the cards under top weight as she moves into the handicap arena.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No1 PLEASANT MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Miss A Bowers
PLEASANT MAN appeals as one of the better bets of the day and would be a deserving winner of the opener. He was foiled in a tight finish at Wolverhampton but showed a liking for this course when ridden from the front previously. Enterprising tactics might well be the best option here, as he has an inexperienced amateur in the saddle.
Race 3 No1 METALLO (Each Way)
Traner: John Butler – Jockey: Luke Morris
METALLO had Morris in his irons when narrowly beaten on a first run out of this stable here, only to fail to get competitive in a similar race last week. A line is best drawn through that performance as he’s not short of talent. However, as a hold up performer he will require luck in running in the short home straight.
Race 7 No6 CHARLES MORIN
Trainer: Pat Phelan – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
From a stable that gave us a 16-1 winner on Wednesday, CHARLES MORIN takes the eye returning to the AW after a good effort over hurdles at Plumpton where he got going too late. The dual purpose performer needs a market check, as he is very much ‘overdue’.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 No4 BADRI (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
BADRI is fancied to make this a first AW win in over a year as he has plenty going for him in this admittedly competitive heat. He was making what might have been a race winning move when hampered on his latest start at Wolverhampton which in itself is a signal he’s getting ready to winning again.
Race 9 No9 TIRIAC (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Barry McHugh
TIRIAC exploded the myth that he was a pure turf sprinter by posting two all-weather successes from only three attempts last season, when he proved very effective at this track. On a first outing of the year he’s worth waiting for in this finale.
