Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming from Sandown Park , Musselburgh , Wetherby , Lingfield Park and Newcastle on 31 January 2026.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No2 TENNESSEE TANGO (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Everything about the way TENNESSEE TANGO has been campaigned smacks of ‘destination handicap’, and here we are. The six-year-old has troubled the judge on his last two outings and was looked after when his chance had gone at Chepstow. A super prospect for fences next season, right now he’s going to love the step up in trip and gruelling climb to the finishing post.
Race 5 VIRGIN BET SCILLY ISLES NOVICES’ CHASE (Grade 1)
No4 KALA CONTI
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: James Bowen
When KALA CONTI brushed aside KARGESE at Cork to remain unbeaten over fences the mare put up one of the best novice chase performances of the season. In a sizzling renewal of this Festival trial she receives 7lb from compatriot KITZBUHEL, which can tip the balance in her favour in a likely all Irish finish.
Race 7 No1 MR VANGO
Trainer: Sara Bradstock – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Having been forced to side step the Welsh National because the ground wasn’t soft enough, MR VANGO now finds himself back on his favoured terrain. Three miles is short of the marathon distances at which the top weight excels, but he has the option of making his own running and turning it into a slog, which I’m confident he will try to achieve. However i’m mindful that there’s a well handicapped foe in the field in the shape of PIC ROC, who needs saving on as the other side of the exacta.
MUSSELBURGH
Race No4 WELSH CHARGER (Each Way)
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
WELSH CHARGER carried 11st 5lb when winning this 12 months ago, and while probably not quite as good he nevertheless figures to be dangerous operating off 11lb lower. This has probably been the plan all along, and though underwhelming on his latest start at Ascot he could easily bounce back now returned to his favourite hunting ground.
Race 3 No1 JPR ONE (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Scotland’s version of the Champion Chase can fall to JPR ONE, who has the class to defy top weight. Winner of the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup last season, he has run well to earn on all three starts this season including when narrowly failing to concede 25 lb to the fast progressing David’s Well at Cheltenham. He will be just as effective on this easier track, and appeals as one of the best bets of the day.
Race 5 No4 MAGNA VICTOR
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
MAGNA VICTOR displayed a liking for this course with a first career win in December which was just a second run of the season for the seven-year-old. He’s gone up 4lb but remains unexposed, while he should fare just as well now handicapping.
WETHERBY
Race 5 No3 JOHN BARBOUR
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
JOHN BARBOUR has thrived since being operated on for a breathing problem, posting figures of 4121. Both those successes happened at Uttoxeter and on the latest he floored a well supported rival in gritty fashion. With his preference for a left-handed track he should be more than comfortable on this first visit to Wetherby.
Race 6 No7 GOOD BOY BOBBY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Miss Amber Jackson
It’s no surprise to see GOOD BOY BOBBY having his attention turned to hunter chases, the 13-year-old having fared well in veterans’ chases last season. Half of his six successes over fences have happened at this course, and as a horse that has won on his first run of the season on five occasions this is definitely the best time to be on him.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No1 OBSIDIAN DREAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Stan Moore – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
On a second outing after wind surgery this could be a day for OBSIDIAN DREAM to raise his game. He’s been lightly campaigned over the past two seasons, but a recent pipe opener may have brought him to the boil. He’s well drawn in this 1400 metres contest round a left handed bend.
Race 5 No5 FERROUS (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Given his excellent record on the all-weather this looks a good opportunity for FERROUS to put his best foot forward. He’s prevailed on five of the seven occasions he’s raced on an artificial surface including on his first outing of 2025 over this course and distance. He has the pick of the draw and shouldn’t lack for fitness after two gallops on the winter grass at West Ilsley.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No1 LONDONER (Nap)
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Jack Doughty
LONDONER returned from a mini winter break to trouble the judge at Kempton earlier in the month which indicates he’s on the cusp of a return to the winners’ circle on this long journey from Lambourn.
Race 7 No8 ARDADDY
Trainer: Grant Tuer – Jockey: Oliver Stammers
ARDADDY posted his only career success at Southwell last autumn and has possibly been unlucky not to add to his tally in half a dozen subsequent outings. A near miss at this course last week suggests he’s ready to win again.
