Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Thursday, 17 September 2026

AYR

Race 3 No2 KRISSY
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Rhys Elliott

Hamilton specialist KRISSY finished last on her only visit to this course which is a worry, but a very good subsequent effort to go down by a short head to Polygram at her favourite venue suggests local handler Go,die will have the Calyx mare primed for today’s assignment.

Race 4 No8 GALYX
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass

Soft ground specialist GALYX upped his game when getting his conditions to score in convincing fashion at Beverley he landed some good bets and looks a horse to follow in the closing weeks of the season, granted the relatively few appearances on his CV which makes him open to further progression.

Race 7 No1 VINCE LE PRINCE
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

VNCE LE PRINCE failed to menace on his latest visit to Ayr at this meeting two years ago and has carded just one success in 29 subsequent starts. However, this captain of industry has troubled the judge in his last three outings to signal he’s ready for the cards to turn in his favour.

YARMOUTH

Race 3 No1 SOLDIER OF THE SEA
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Tom Marquand

SOLDIER OF THE SEA carries top weight on this first run in a handicap after flattering to deceive at Ascot. He raced wide of the eventual winner and placed horses leaving the impression he would have finished closer if on the stands’ side. He’d earlier chased home the useful Gentle Hurricane at Salisbury, making him a big player.

Race 6 No5 HINT OF THE JUNGLE
Trainer: Mike Murphy – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark

HINT OF THE JUNGLE has been on an earning streak this year, carded no three successes and five seconds in nine 2026 outings. He’s a credit to his trainer’s good and should again get into the shake-up on ground that will suit.

Race 7 No5 MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT can reward punters waiting for the best bet on this card by taking the spoils in the finale. The Night Of Thunder filly proved no match for Cypriot Diaspora on handicap debut at Ffos Las and her conqueror has boosted the form with a couple of good runs in defeat. She has few miles on her racing clock, making her more open to progression than anything else in the field.

PONTEFRACT

Race 1 No7 GOOD KARMA
Trainer: John Riches – Jockey: Joe Bradnam

An inside draw is usually an asset on the sprint track here, and GOOD KARMA looks ideally berthed one off the rail to extend his earning spree which stretches back six races. This is his first run at Pontefract Park but the uphill climb to the line should suit his style of racing.

Race 3 No5 TRAVELING MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Mason Paetel

TRAVELING MAN finds himself in a race that’s cut up in his favour. In the month since his breakthrough Newmarket triumph his trainer has erred on the sidelines of caution and resisted running him, but so impressive was he at Headquarters that there should be races to be won with him through the autumn.

Race 4 No7 RIVER NILE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson

Teofilo filly RIVER NILE has made the podium on both starts on sand and while needing further progress to take the spoils in this turf contest it’s entirely possible she can achieve it. She got the 1600 metres well on her last outing while her stable is going great guns.

Race 6 No4 PORT GEORGE
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: Charlie Maggs

Golden Horn gelding PORT GEORGE looked better the further he travelled when opening his account Thirsk which was his first outing in ten months. That was just a fifth race for the selection who should enjoy racing over a longer trip.

Race 7 No12 GRINDLETON
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Alec Voikhansky

GRINDLETON is a six times earner in only eight starts and remains a work in progress, but in receipt of weight from each of his eleven opponents needs to be taken seriously. He proved popular in the market when taking away a minor cheque at Ffos Las but might have finished closer had he not raced freely. He needs to settle if he’s to win this.

SOUTHWELL

Race 2 No3 VON KROLOCK
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Christian Howarth

Owen has done well with VON KROLOCK for whom he is a four times winner, with three of those triumphs happening in 2026. The Nap has had a break of a month since a dominating success at Lingfield and is overdue a success at this venue.

Race 5 No4 PEABERRY
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Rob Hornby

PEABERRY posted near misses at Wolverhampton and Kempton to make her the one to beat on form in this restricted novice. She is well drawn for a filly that likes to race handily, and impressed with the way she fought off challengers before eventually succumbing to the useful Rogue Defender at Kempton.