Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Goodwood, Haydock Park, Bath, and Pontefract on 22 May 2026.
GOODWOOD
Race 1 No1 NIGHT IN VEGAS (Nap)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
NIGHT IN VEGAS looked thoroughly professional in the way he delivered on debut at Ascot two weeks ago, and is out quickly in order to gain necessary further experience ahead of Royal Ascot. He’s smart, and victory this afternoon can earn him a shot at the Coventry Stakes.
Race 4 No1 MISS DOLLY ROCKER (Each Way)
Trainer: Faye Bramley – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Although she has to give weight away all round in this Class3, MISS DOLLY ROCKER should go well. She enjoyed a rewarding 2025 campaign with Dan Kubler before he relocated to Bahrain, and on a first run for Bramley found only the progressive Castle Cove too strong in a Class2 on heavy ground at Doncaster. This can be seen as a calmer strip of water for the selection to return on.
Race 5 No4 CERTAIN LAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
The ground has come right for CERTAIN LAD on a first run of what will almost certainly be his final season. The ten-year-old has been a fine servant to Mick and Jack Channon, and though unable to add to his CV in five outings last season is fresh and well for this Listed contest in which he can outrun his price.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 6 No1 BNAIDER (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Charlton saddled a nice winner in Hand Of God last week and can do us another favour through BNAIDER, who represents a Sandown race that has worked out. Beaten four lengths under a hold up ride that day, the New Bay gelding is going to be all the better with the outing under his belt, while the winner Lost Boys followed up in the best three-year-old handicap run this season at Newbury. Murphy’s presence also adds allure to the chance of the selection.
BATH
Race 5 No4 OUR GUY (Nap)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
OUR GUY is an unexposed improver who enjoys a favourable draw in this 1000 metres sprint. He popped up as a 33-1 shocker on his seasonal return at Windsor which was his first run on grass. Prominent throughout, he buckled down well to seal the deal and can now show by following up that it was no fluke.
Race 7 No9 NEWYORKSTATEOFMIND
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Luke Morris
The rail might be the best place to be for NEWYORKSTATEOFMIND on his long journey from Yorkshire. This is his 50th race for Carr, but only the second time he’s raced further south than Nottingham. In view of the way her sprint handicappers are performing it’s probably time to sit up and take notice.
Race 8 No7 TILANI
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Jack Dace
Should TILANI turn out again just 48 hours after his clear cut triumph under Dace at Yarmouth he should be backed to complete a hat-trick. He set the ball rolling at Newbury where he was again in full control in the closing stages, and is taking his races well.
PONTEFRACT
Race 1 No4 STONEACRE JOE (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
STONEACRE JOE hasn’t done much wrong in chasing home a couple of useful foes in his two appearances this season. It’s interesting that his connections have resisted running him in handicaps, and with NAVAL LIGHT taking out a large chunk of the betting handle on this contest he should represent good value.
Race 6 No8 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
Following a couple of readying runs MOUNT KING should make a good fist of repeating his 2025 triumph in this race. The strong traveller is carded to start at double figure odds, but that doesn’t put me off. Three of his four career wins have happened here, and though out of the money at Wetherby last time he’s more than capable of bouncing back.
