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.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 LADBROKES DOVECOTE NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2)
No8 LOADED AND LOCKED (Each Way)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Harry Cobden
This late trial for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is an open affair in which LOADED AND LOCKED possesses scope for further progression. His trainer has excelled with horses of this ilk, and there was much to like about the way the six-year-old put his race to bed under a confident ride from Cobden at Hereford. At a likely double figure price he’s preferred to wide margin Huntingdon scorer DOUBLE MEASURE.
Race 5 No7 KATATE DORI (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
KATATE DORI led them a merry dance when taking out this race 12 months ago, and while 11lb higher now, signalled with a good run in defeat at Cheltenham that he’s coming to the boil. Furthermore he should be happier back on this less demanding course. KDEUX SAINT FRAY flew up the final hill at Cheltenham to suggest he will appreciate today’s longer trip and can’t be ruled out. LOOKAWAY went up 4lb for what might have been a fortuitous success last time but with few miles on his racing clock could also have a say. CHANCE ANOTHER ONE was very good round here over the same trip in November, and despite a couple of subsequent blips might easily bounce back.
Prediction: 1st KATATE DORI, 2nd Lookaway, 3rd Kdeux Saint Fray, 4th Chance Another One
Race 6 No2 BAD (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
BAD can cock a snook at the handicapper by repeating his 2025 success in this race from a 19lb higher mark. Such is his effectiveness at the Sunbury venue that the grey can parry the challenges of CALIFET EN VOL and JAVERT ALLEN in an interesting finale.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No6 JIMBO SPORT
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Callum Pritchard
Journeyman JIMBO SPORT should with a first win of the season justify the long journey from Gloucestershire. The Hereford bumper winner hasn’t done much wrong in a couple of earning runs at Kempton, and is now in calmer waters for his red hot stable.
Race 4 No9 RED DELTA (Each Way)
Trainer: Fiona Needham – Jockey: Charlie Maggs
The Eider Chase might not be quite the same indicator to Grand National success as it was, but it nevertheless attracts some doughty stayers including ANGLERS CRAG, a past winner who made no mistake on a first outing for the Nicky Richards stable. He is rock solid, while if getting the near four and a quarter mile trip the JP McManus-owned FORTUNATE MAN should also be involved. MR VANGO found three miles round Sandown a bridge too far when taken off his feet last time but he could easily bounce back granted this is all about stamina. The one that appeals for value is RED DELTA, whose trainer will have had this on the gelding’s radar since his convincing Market Rasen triumph on Boxing Day. My selection receives a lot of weight from each of the three that I see as dangers, and at forecast odds of around 14-1 makes sense as good each way value.
Prediction: 1st RED DELTA, 2nd Anglers Crag, 3rd Mr Vango, 4th Fortunate Man
Race 6 No2 PEAKY BOY (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
The ability to be near his best when returning from a lay off can see PEAKY BOY taking this on a first run for more than a year. The eight-year-old scored on chase debut at Cheltenham in November 2024 before running well in two further races over fences including on debut for Jonjo O’Neill. He’s had some issues, but is a talented individual that needs a close market check.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No2 STAR OF AFFINITY
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
This is a good track for front runners of whom STAR OF AFFINITY can prosper. Since undergoing a wind operation he’s been a regular earner for his owners, winning four times and only once finishing out of the money in ten attempts. Buoyed by a bloodless triumph at Plumpton, he can lead his foes a merry dance.
Race 3 No9 STONE’S THROW
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Hat-trick seeking STONE’S THROW swerved an opportunity last week and now has the right conditions to give of his best in this three miles handicap hurdle. He’s a four times winner from only nine career starts and is another that can benefit from employing forcing tactics.
Race 5 No3 DOUBLE OBAN (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Lewis Stones
VOL ROYALE was game at the finish of his Hereford win but his hat-trick bid can be thwarted by DOUBLE OBAN, whose stable can do little wrong. The selection boasts an excellent record as a hurdler with five successes from ten starts as well as four frame finishes. He has the make and shape to make a chaser next year, but for now can back up his impressive Leicester success. He’s definitely a horse to follow.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 MIDNITE WINTER DERBY (Group 3)
No5 SKY SAFARI
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Lingfield’s marquee race on sand has drawn a select field including a twin attack from the Gosden stable via CHANCELLOR and NEBRAS. It’s short odds that one of that pair will prevail but better value lies with the only female in the race, SKY SAFARI. The daughter of Zoustar has proved a good servant to owner Mary Slack and came within an ace of making it four wins on the bounce in a hot handicap here last time. Whilst having a bit to find on the book she is still on the upgrade, and could find her main obstacle to success the Cambridgeshire winner BOILING POINT.
Race 5 No8 TURRET (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
The form of those that have already run doesn’t amount to much. It leads me to newcomer TURRET as the likely winner. The Kingman colt hails from a good family and if overcoming a difficult draw on the outer can turn the promise he’s shown at home to success on the track.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 5 No8 MADE IN NORMANDIE (Each Way)
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Dominique Van Der
This is a weak fillies’ maiden in which any money for MADE IN NORMANDIE would be of interest. The selection beat only one home on her only start on grass but that was last June, and having been given time to mature on this switch to sand, could prove a different proposition.
Race 7 No1 CHARLATAN (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
CHARLATAN has been in good form through the winter, in which he’s carded figures of 2172. His visits to this track are few and far between, but with Spencer back on board he can outpointed the consistent VOLENDAM.
