Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Newton Abbot and AYR on 18 September 2026
NEWBURY
Race 1 No2 AL WIDYAN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
With frame finishes in his two outings, AL WIDYAN should make an impression under the champion jockey. He finished strongly on the latest of those at Kempton and won’t mind switching back to grass in a race where OAKFORD has similar credentials and should also go well.
Race 3 No9 SILVER SOVEREIGN (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Ten Sovereigns filly SILVER SOVEREIGN represents a stable not averse to success in this hot nursery. She looked better the further she travelled when opening her account at Haydock to qualify for handicapping after just two starts. She’s gone forward from that at home, and should give it a good shot in the colours of Jeff Smith.
Race 4 No2 BIN JAHWAR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Mightily impressive on his Newmarket introduction in a three runner affair where he won in a canter, BIN JAHWAR now steps up the ladder in a race whose past winners include the legendary Shergar. The son of Ghaiyyath has a presence about him and future Group 1 entries that indicate he’s in Godolphin’s premier division. While Andrew Balding’s IMPASTO should progress from a promising first effort at Ascot, more of a danger to the Nap might be GROVE STREET who was beaten by a subsequent Listed winner on debut, and probably ran into one when turned over at odds-on at Chepstow.
Race 6 No5 NIGHTSINWHITESATIN (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Ryan Moore
NIGHTSINWHITESATIN certainly isn’t reaching the end as the lyrics of the song she is named after suggest. The Middleham-trained posted one of her two career successes at this course a year ago and after figures of 242224 in her six outings in 2026 fully deserved to add to her laurels. Having Ryan Moore in her saddle might prove the X-factor in this match up with the unexposed LITTLECOTE, who should also run well.
Race 7 No3 RIVER CARD
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: David Egan
One of the most interesting runners at the meeting is RIVER CARD, who despite proving easy to back put in an eye catching effort to claim a minor cheque on his return to action at this course last month. But for some late interference he would have finished closer to the winner Abundant, and I understand he’s been going well at home in his subsequent work.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 4 No3 BROADWAY HONEY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
BROADWAY HONEY jumped beautifully from the front when scoring on her chase debut at Worcester. She looked a different entity to that which failed to score over fences, and when asked to stretch out easily went clear. She looks a mare to follow through the autumn.
Race 5 No5 REBEL TRIBESMAN
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
With two successes from three starts this season, REBEL TRIBESMAN looks to hold the cards. The former Aintree bumper winner is making up for a couple off odds on defeats after joining his trainer from Ireland and is another to follow in the weeks ahead.
AYR
Race 3 No2 DANCE A JIG
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
DANCE A JIG couldn’t cut the mustard in the Roses Stakes at York but had won well on her previous start at Haydock. It’s interesting that her connections are persisting in the quest for black type and she’s almost certainly a lot better than she showed on the Knavesmire.
Race 4 No4 FLUORESCENCE (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Yorkshire raider FLUORESCENSE commands respect against paper favourite BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND in this distaffers’ race. The four-year-old is holding her form well and deserves a crack at a Listed race following her success at Pontefract and earning run at Ascot. A 1000 metres test with some cut in the ground is just her cup of tea.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No4 PERFECT HOPE (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
PERFECT HOPE rates the best bet on a very strong book of rides for title race leader Billy Loughnane. The Perfect Power filly has posted near misses in both handicap outings, with the cheek pieces she wore for the first time at Leicester retained.
Race 6 No1 LUAN
Trainer: Nick Schofield – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
LUAN carded back-to-back triumphs for James Ferguson before his move to Schofield where he’s quickly settled into his new environment. On a second start for his new handler over this course and distance he was only denied in the final strides. It’s strong form to bring to the table in a weak affair.
