Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Pontefract and Southwell on 24 September 2026.
NEWMARKETRace 1 No1 CODE OF HONOUR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The best news in this interesting opener is for Frankel colt CODE OF HONOUR. He’s given off some very encouraging signals in his preparatory work in Newmarket for this introduction, and for a resurgent Godolphin he should oblige.
Race 4 TATTERSALLS STAKES (Group 3)
No5 MEZZO FORTE
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Ryan Moore
MEZZO FORTE greatly impressed me with the way he quickened from the front to stylishly open his account upped to 1400 metres at York earlier in the month. The son of Wootton Bassett delivered a controlled display of front running and is strongly fancied to take this step up the class ladder in his stride in the colours of Michael Tabor’s wife Doreen.
Race 5 No1 GREGORY
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: James Doyle
GREGORY defied a long lay off to score on his only outing of the season at York back in June where he gamely resisted Tabletalk and Mount Atlas in a blanket finish to a Listed contest. It was a first start following a breathing operation and his first experience of racecourse action for 18 months. Gosden looks to have given the selection the kid glove treatment subsequently, but he’s more than capable of following up in this.
Race 6 No6 MR FREEDOM (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Charles Bishop
MR FREEDOM is a speculative selection for a race that might be more open than it seems at first sight. The dual purpose performer has run well at Class3 and 4 level this year and could outrun his big odds on terrain that will suit his style of racing.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No4 SILVERELLA
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Jason Watson
SILVERELLA created a favourable impression when opening her account at Goodwood and taking the scalp of a well regarded foe in Rhythm Of My Heart. The daughter of Frontiersman stayed on strongly in what looked a good race, and should be right at home on this testing 1600 metres course around a left handed bend. The uphill climb to the winning post will also benefit this future Oaks prospect.
Race 4 No2 CAPTAINCY
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Each of the six candidates for this nursery are previous winners but CAPTAINCY jumps out as the most progressive. He went forward from his introduction to second start and enters the handicap arena as a worthy favourite who can follow up.
Race 5 No9 BE PATIENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Oisin Orr
In this good betting race PER CONTRA was not winning out of turn last time but often struggles to follow a good run with another one.
HOLYWELL LAKE brings solid form to the party as a horse that has to run well but at longer odds BE PATIENT can give them something to think about. The lightly raced gelding has posted two successes and three podium finishes in as many starts, is well drawn and should again find himself in the shake up.
Race 7 No5 WOODSTOCK (Nap)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Oisin Orr
Returning to 1200 metres has proved beneficial to WOODSTOCK who after scoring at Ripon looked most unlucky when beaten into third at Thirsk, where he came away with excuses after an early slip cost him valuable yardage. To his credit the gelding came back onto the bridle and was going on at the finish to be beaten less than two lengths by the winner Deep Havana. It’s very good form to bring to the table, and a big earning run is anticipated.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No4 LIEUTENANT KIJE
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
LIEUTENANT KIJE ran well to trouble the judge over course and distance last time which was a step in the right direction. His trainer tries two changes – adding both cheek pieces and title race leader Loughnane into the hot seat. They can make a big difference.
Race 9 No3 MEET ME IN MERAKI (Nap)
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Loughnane steered MEET ME IN MERAKI to back-to-back triumphs on the AW at this time last year and is reunited with the gelding after its clear cut Bath success earlier this month. It’s the Nap’s first run in plating company and he is strongly fancied to follow up.
