Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Yarmouth, Epsom Downs, Thirsk and Newmarket on 14 August 2026.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No5 QUICKEN AWAY (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Juveniles carrying these colours must always be handed respect on their debuts and my news about QUICKEN AWAY suggests he’s carded to go close and rates the best bet at his local track. The son of Frankel has been going well on the all weather at Park House.
Race 4No5 SPIRIT OF LYRA
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Tom Marquand
SPIRIT OF LYRA landed some good bets at Lingfield where after getting a nice tow into the contest produced a telling change of gear to storm clear with her rivals strong out like washing behind her. That stamps her as decent, and with normal progression she should take this step into a conditions race in her stride.
Race 5 No2 ACTING LADY
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The featured St Hugh’s Stakes can go to ACTING LADY who showed gritty determination to come off best in a five way blanket finish on second start at Newmarket. When her hood was removed she raced keenly for the first hand of that 1200 metres, but it didn’t sap her strength as she was firmly on top at the business end. The big danger is FAST TRACK who brings equally strong form to the table and has an experience edge.
YARMOUTH
Race 3 No4 DIVOT (Nap)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
DIVOT has put together a couple of cosy recent course successes and though higher in the weights brings a ring of confidence into a race that has cut up favourably for him. He’s 5lb higher than for the latest, but has his tail up, while the move up to a mile and a half shouldn’t pose a problem as he wasn’t stopping.
Race 6 No1 BULLINGTON BRY (Each Way)
Trainer: Jessica Macey – Jockey: Ray Dawson
BULLINGDON BRY put a couple of underwhelming efforts behind him when attracting support and going close on a first start out of the Macey yard. He wasn’t disgraced last time when claiming a minor cheque, and remaining at classified level he has every chase of another pick up.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 3 No5 ON EDGE
Trainer: Christopher Mason – Jockey: Gina Mangan
ON EDGE has been given a select campaign and notched a Chepstow success as well as finishing third at Ffos Las where he was doing his best work at the finish. The visored gelding gets a first taste of Epsom, and if handling its undulations can return to winning ways.
Race 5 No1 CHANTELLE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Jack Gilligan
In what looks a match against hat-trick seeking TRIO, Prescott’s promising filly CHANTELLE can come out on top. The dual scorer has gone close in her other two starts including when chasing home that same rival here last month. It should be closer this time, with the Nap weighted to turn the tables.
THIRSK
Race 2 No3 NATIONAL HONOUR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
NATIONAL HONOUR gave it his best shot when chasing home market rival Sexy Chick at Newmarket and should now be the full package. The Wootton Bassett colt will appreciate a longer trip tonight, and can outpoint the equally promising VARZI.
Race 4 No7 DERRYGARREN LAD
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Ryan Sexton
Though the least experienced in this field, DERRYGARREN LAD has done nothing wrong, earning in two Tapeta starts and one on grass this year. He’s thoroughly unexposed, and the addition of cheek pieces could assist him to a breakthrough success.
Race 5 No12 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
MOUNT KING has been racing almost exclusively around Pontefract, and while little came of it through the spring and early summer he got his act together with blinkers added to score last month, and then finish second to Polygram in a better race than today’s. He’s in a strong race at a lower level, but the bigger field can help this strong traveller again get not the shake-up.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No12 NECROMANCER (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Bangkok filly NECROMANCER made late headway after looking green on a promising first effort over this course and distance. Representing top connections she can make the best of this good opportunity in the colours of King Power Racing.
Race 4 No11 MOLLY MAC
Trainer: Michael Fenton – Jockey: Grace McEntee
MOLLY MAC has won and twice been in the money from just four starts since joining former jockey Fenton. Backed as if defeat was out of the question, she bolted up at Nottingham to suggest another triumph is more than likely at this slightly higher level.
Race 5 No10 MYTHICAL GUEST (Each Way)
Trainer: George Margarson – Jockey: Mason Paetel
The popular Margarson has largely struggled for winners this summer but he could be fielding a well weighted runner in MYTHICAL GUEST, who under a capable apprentice can end a long losing sequence and at a working man’s’ price.
