Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming from Newbury, Doncaster, Kelso, Lingfield Park and Southwell on 28 February 2026.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No5 DOCTOR BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
DOCTOR BLUE came back with a genuine excuse having bled when beaten at Doncaster before being given a mid season break. His Exeter return resulted in him digging in his heels at the start, but should he consent to race the six-year-old can reassert his position as one of the best novices in this stable.
Race 3 No2 PALACIO
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
The same trainer-jockey combo can get something out of this novices’ limited handicap chase with PALACIO. Although pulled up on his only previous visit to this course the confirmed front runner should prove effective on it if getting into a rhythm without being pestered for the outright lead. That’s a big ‘if’, but he has the ability to get a lot of these off the bridle out on the country.
Race 4 No6 OUR POWER
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
OUR POWER hasn’t been over raced this season and despite being beaten in all three starts has also taken a drop in the ratings. With the addition of a visor he can make a mark and give his stable further reason to be happy with the overall form of its horses.
Race 5 No4 VINCENZO
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
VINCENZO rewarded those that have followed him in the big two and a half mile handicap chases with a gritty success at Ascot in which for much of the journey he was fully under the pump. He had a hard race n grinding out the win, but has been given a deserved break, and having been happy in his work at home is given the chance to add this valuable feature to his CV. In a good race for betting BLOW YOUR WAD needs respecting, while TWINJETS can also get into the argument.
Prediction: 1st VINCENZO, 2nd Blow Your Wad, 3rd Twinjets
Race 6 No8 LUCKY BERE
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott- Jockey: Mr Joshua Newman
LUCKY BERE has a very good Corinthian in the irons for this handicap hurdle and should earn. He made a bold fist of trying to lead throughout on a recent visit to this venue, and with cheek pieces added can parry the challenges of HUFFIN AN A PUFFIN and KILWAUGHTER who can prove a winning boxed exacta with the selection.
DONCASTER
Race 3 No4 DARTMOOR PIRATE
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball – Jockey: Rex Dingle
DARTMOOR PIRATE has shown himself to be in a good place with his triumphs at Lingfield and this course where he had the measure of NEW ORDER. He’s gone up in the weights, but with the bit between his teeth should prove hard to beat in this hat-trick bid. KING’S THRESHOLD can also get into the shake-up if repeating his Newbury triumph from the end of December which was a fourth success from his last seven outings. JASMIN DE GRUGY is another to consider but he needs to put in a clear.
Prediction: 1st DARTMOOR PIRATE, 2nd King’s Threshold, 3rd Jasmine De Grugy
KELSO
Race 3 BET 365 PREMIER NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2)
No7 STARMOUNT (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
STAMOUNT has impressed on two visits to Wetherby and though underwhelming on his other start at Aintree remains a top prospect from a stable that can do little wrong. The former winning pointer likes to force the pace, and if establishing a lead can prove hard to catch, although this is his first run on an undulating track.
Race 4 No12 DEDICATED HERO (Each Way)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
One that can go well at a price in this historic race is DEDICATED HERO. The former smart novice hurdler contested a couple of very competitive races in the early part of the season before being let down by his jumping in two chase starts. Back over hurdles he still has potential for progression, and is worth a market check.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No6 PLEASANT MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Finley Marsh
Marsh is an eye taking booking for PLEASANT MAN, who after failing to get the trip on his penultimate outing at Southwell fared better than his finishing position indicated back at that course last week. He can do better on this belated first visit to Lingfield.
Race 4 No4 SIR ALBERT
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
SIR ALBERT progressed to win three on the bounce before getting Listed placed in a rewarding juvenile campaign. While it’s always difficult for this type of horse at three, he’s operating over his favoured 1400 metres, while his stable is in good form. One that looks over priced for value seekers is STAR STREWN, and she’s worth a market check.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No1 CARGIN BHUI (Nap)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
CARGIN BHUI quickened up smartly to seal the deal here last week. He looks progressive, and having taken those exertions in his stride can complete a hat-trick.
Race 5 No3 SILVER STATE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
SILVER STATE crucially missed the break at Kempton which resulted in his pilot rushing him into the lead. That process probably cost the visored gelding as much ground as he was eventually beaten by. If he can establish an uncontested advantage in this small field he could prove hard to catch.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
