Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming from Warwick , Exeter, Ffos Las and Southwell on 20 February 2026.
WARWICK
Race 5 No2 MINELLA DOUBLE
Trainer: Rob Summers – Jockey: Beau Morgan
M9NELLA DOUBLE produced a much improved effort when second at Huntingdon to suggest he could be ready to post a first success since the summer of 2024. This is a poor race in which he needs respecting.
Race 7 No8 SPARKLING WATER (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
SPARKLING WATER troubled the judge on her only start under Rules for a premiership trainer who has very few National Hunt runners. She’s beautifully bred for jumping, and if building on it should open her account.
EXETER
Race 1 No1 DOCTOR BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
Although he is opposed by a couple of well regarded opponents, DOCTOR BLUE should win this opener to put his season back on track. He was well supported but bombed out at Doncaster after breaking a blood vessel. Given time to recover from those exertions, he now gets cheek pieces added and can take the spoils from LISBANE PARK, who can form the flip side of the exacta.
Race 3 No2 BLUE LAS
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
In the same colours but out of a different yard, BLUE LAS can take this three cornered affair. She dominated her foes when dropped in class at Doncaster when she was returning from a break. It’s a similar situation here, and she’s fresh and fancied for this clash with FUN FUN FUN.
Race 4 No4 SIZABLE SAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
My guess is that Jeremy Scott has had this Devon National on his mind for SIZABLE SAM a for some time. The selection has endured a few training issues, but when fifth here last time this oft times front runner closed from the rear to be beaten only three and a half lengths into fifth. He’s on an attractive mark, and in receipt of plenty of weight from his foes could well prove the answer.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No5 JAUNTY VIKNG (Each Way)
Trainer: Brian Eckley – Jockey: James Best
JAUNTY VIKING is carded to go off as one of the roughies for this three miles handicap chase but could belie those odds. He showed a bit more of his old sparkle on his latest start here, and though getting tired at the finish might have needed it. That said, backing him can only be speculative and kept to small stakes.
Race 4 No5 ETON MESS (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Ryan Corcoran
ETON MESS escapes a penalty for his success in a conditional jockeys’ race at Wincanton, leaving him 7lb well in. This upwardly mobile individual has taken those exertions on his stride and can land the hat-trick.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No10 DREAM ILLUSION
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
DREAM ILLUSION has looked strong at the end of her back-to-back successes, and especially at this course last time. The penalised filly has copped the best of the draw in this turning 1400 metres, and is strongly fancied to complete a hat-trick.
Race 3 No9 PLEASANT MAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
PLEASANT MAN a has shown gradual improvement since joining Ramsden including when taking away a minor cheque on his latest start at this track. His last success came over hurdles, but he can show with an earning run that he’s still got something to offer.
Race 7 No3 CONSTITUTION HILL (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Few all weather races have attracted as much media attention as this race, designed to assist CONSTITUTION HILL in his path to another crack at the Champion Hurdle. While now a nine-year-old he is trading at a general 4-1 to regain his Festival crown in spite of falls in three of his last four outings over jumps. Murphy has ridden him in work at Seven Barrows, and should he win this admittedly competitive race it will not only open up the road back to Cheltenham next month, but also leave his connections the alluring proposition of a possible Flat campaign in the summer. It’s a fascinating scenario as both SQUARE NECKER and DADDY LONG LEGS have strong claims in their own right, especially the latter who for Willie Mullins has Ryan Moore in his saddle.
Race 8 No1 DOWN TO THE KID
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
The giant DOWN TO THE KID had his unbeaten run this year ended last time, but with five successes from his previous seven visits to the course this standing dish can get back to winning ways.
