Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Haydock Park , Salisbury, Newcastle , Lingfield Park and Southwell on 03 September 2026.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No2 I’D GO MANIAC (Nap)
trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Miss Georgia King
If recent Windsor scorer I’D GO MANIAC handles softer conditions than he’s experienced before he should prove hard to beat. The Bow Creek gelding was dropping down the class ladder that day, and impressive enough to suggest a 2lb rise won’t prove a barrier to further success.
Race 5 No6 POWERFUL FORCE (Each Way)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Ryan likes to introduce his best juveniles at this track which encourages me to keep a close eye in the betting on POWERFUL EDGE, a colt by Perfect Power whose dam was a precocious sprinter. This half brother to the smart Mystic Pearl has been well tutored for a first public appearance.
Race 7 No3 NIGHTSINWHITESATIN
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Cian Horgan
NIGHTSINWHITESATIN has with five seconds from her last six starts been labelled by some a perennial bridesmaid. It’s probably more logical to look back at her good spate of form at this time last season, when she posted back-to-back triumphs at Nottingham and Newbury. There’s nothing ungenuine about the daughter of Dark Angel, who deserves to enjoy the rub of the green this time.
SALISBURY
Race 2 No6 NIGHT STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Space Traveller colt NIGHT STAR represents a Doncaster race that has worked out, and on a fourth career start will be fully tuned for a race he should win. He’s proved he can handle some cut in the ground, while stretching out to 1600 metres should be just what the doctor ordered.
Race 3 No4 HEREWARD
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: Colin Keane
The two-year-old races on this card are where to cash in, with HEREWARD surely the way to go in the second leg of the novice. The Saxon Warrior colt troubled the judge in a strongly contested conditions race on his Deauville introduction, and in the famous Sangster silks has Colin Keane taking the reins. He will improve, and should make no mistake.
Race 4 No9 THI QAR
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
THI QAR is up against a couple of regally bred newcomers but can show there’s no substitute for experience by bettering her eye catching first run when narrowly denied at Newmarket. She holds some high profile entries including the Fillies’ Mile, which provides an indication of what Gosden thinks of her.
Race 5 IRE-INCENTIVE, IT PAYS TO BUY IRISH DICK POOLE STAKES (Group 3)
No9 MISS KODI
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
One of the prestige races of Salisbury’s calendar can fall to MISS KODI, who is taken to overturn Ascot placings with NUIT D’ECLAIR. Only a neck separated the pair in that Princess Margaret Stakes in July when the selection could have done with racing on a different part of the track. She subsequently made a bold attempt to make all before fading into fourth in York’s Lowther Stakes, making this is a step down in class that she can take in her stride.
Race 7 No5 POINT OF CONTACT (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Very interesting and one of the best value bets of the day is POINT OF CONTACT, for whom it’s a case of the more rain the better. While he couldn’t justify the money that came for him at Hamilton he is on a competitive mark whilst wearing first time cheek pieces. Any support for the four-year-old should be seen as significant, and I prefer him to the lightly-raced and unexposed SHIPBOURNE who is nevertheless worth saving on.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No2 QUIET SUMMER (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
A sole advice at this meeting is QUIET SUMMER to overturn market rival INTERSTATE in what looks a straight match. The Nap went down in a close photo at Kempton when seeing out the mile and a half trip well. He has Muscutt in the irons on a rare ride for the Balding stable, and can open his account.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No1 TWILIGHT MOON
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Marco Ghiani
TWILIGHT MOON recorded the latest of two course and distance successes off today’s mark in April, while important to his chance off top weight today is his good recent run at Epsom. It shows he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways, and for a stable amongst the winners.
Race 6 No4 SUGAR SUGAR (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
SUGAR SUGAR demonstrated her liking for an undulating track when carding a first career win at Epsom, only to throw it away at Nottingham by hanging left in the final furlong and a half. That trait caused her to concede several lengths, but the Dream Ahead filly is worth supporting to bounce back. She retains the eye shield that has worked for her previously, while George Bass knows her well.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No7 GRAND PIER ( Nap)
Trainer: Warren Greatrex – Jockey: Harry Vigors
GRAND PIER escapes a penalty for his wide margin Ffos Las triumph last week. He’s in a stronger race, but considering he’s due to go up 10lb in future handicaps all he has to do is prove he’s as effective on this Tapeta surface.
Race 4 No7 STAR OF THE DESERT
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Godolphin’s CASTLEMONT made no mistake on his Windsor debut but is short enough under a penalty. The vote goes to STAR OF THE DESERT, who remains in novice company when he could have gone down the nursery route. After three podium finishes he can cash in n the 7lb he receives from the favourite.
