Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming from Newbury, Warwick, Uttoxeter, Lingfield Park, and Southwell on 7 February 2026.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No1 SOBER GLORY (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Harry Cobden
After his halo slipped on a rare off day at Sandown, SOBER GLORY put the record straight by scoring as a long odds-on shot at Newbury where he was never out of third gear. In order to make this a sixth win from seven starts for his trainer he needs to outpoint the less experienced KADASTRAL to whom he’s conceding 4lb, but he’s in great form, and can.
Race 3 WILLIAM HILL DENMAN CHASE (Grade 2)
No1 L’HOMME PRESSE
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
In a race that has attracted a poor field considering its place as a recognised Gold Cup trial, L’HOMME PRESSE can down odds-on HAITI COULEURS. Though now in the veteran stage, the selection continues to operate well at the top level, and by finishing second in both the Turners Handicap Chase and the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham has shown there’s still fire in his belly. While the Williams stable hasn’t by any means attained its usual high strike level so far this season, the eleven-year-old can with an win earn himself a crack at the big one next month.
Race 4 WILLIAM HILL GAME SPIRIT CHASE (Grade 2)
No1 MASTER CHEWY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
History can repeat itself in a race that more than any other on this card can have a bearing on the Cheltenham Festival. MASTER CHEWY gained his biggest career success when accounting for a good field in the 2025 running and signalled with his recent second in a Grade 2 chase at Kempton that he’s operating close to his highest level. The nine-year-old needs to utilise his greater experience to halt the winning sequence of novice LULAMBA, who is using the race as an unorthodox stepping stone to the Arkle and trading very short.
Race 5 No6 UN SENS A LA VIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
In the best betting race of the day, UN SENS A LA VIE can get into the shake-up. The former Irish point winner has delivered on three of his five outings out of Grange Farm Stables and as a clearly talented novice needs respecting on this first run in a handicap. His cruising triumph at Ludlow has teed him up perfectly for the blood and thunder of this contest, in which those to include in all permutations are fellow novice LET IT RAIN, locally trained ALL IN YOU and top weight TUTTI QUANTI, who I rate the main danger.
Prediction: 1st UN SENS A LA VIE, 2nd Tutti Quanti, 3rd Let It Rain, 4th All aim You
Race 6 No1 JIG’S FORGE
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Enterprising tactics probably best serve JIG’S FORGE, who just as his trainer predicted last season has developed into a smart novice over fences. He demonstrated his liking for this galloping track by taking down odds-on Lucky Place with the minimum of fuss, and over a slightly longer trip can serve up a repeat en route to a possible handicap assignment at the Festival.
WARWICK
Race 1 No9 PIPING ROCK (Each Way)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
In an open affair PIPING ROCK is one that could improve on what he’s achieved so far. He was a heavily supported favourite when only third at Wincanton, but possibly didn’t enjoy the run of that race. I think he will strip a different proposition today, and can recoup the losses.
Race 3 BET SMARTER WITH ODDSCHECKER KINGMAKER NOVICES’ CHASE (Grade 2)
No1 STEEL ALLY (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
For the best bet of the day STEEL ALLY can stave off the challenge of MAMBONUMBERFIVE. The trial for next month’s Arkle Challenge Trophy looks a match, and one that my selection can dominate. He jumped brilliantly when taking out a Grade 2 at Ascot where he was always in control. He had two of Mambonumberfive’s stablemates behind him, and has delighted Sam Thomas in subsequent work.
Race 5 WEATHERBYS CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL BETTING GUIDE JANE SEYMOUR MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2)
No9 WHITE NOISE
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Multiple scorer WHITE NOISE can exemplify the survival instincts of the queen this race is named after by making it a fourth success from as many outings this season. Successive handicap triumphs should have served to give the selection a cutting edge that can serve her well in this match up with Irish raider GOOD GIRL KATHLEEN.
UTTOXETER
Race 2 No3 HORS JEU (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Boultbee- Brooks – Jockey: Richard Patrick
HORS JEU went up 3lb for finishing second in a race he possibly should have won at Hereford. He’s an unexposed individual who can show he’s got more to offer by gaining a first Rules success in this novices’ handicap chase. The testing conditions will play to his strengths.
Race 5 No3 DOUBLE OBAN
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Lewis Stones
Fresh Speculation is right in the zone after winning his last two but I think DOUBLE OBAN will prove a thorn in his side. The selection looked very good value for the margin of victory on a recent visit to Leicester to show that the addition of cheek pieces is having the desired effect.
Race 6 No3 MADAME LA PAPILLON
Trainer: Claire Dyson – Jockey: Alice Stevens
MADAME LA PAPILLON travelled kindly when well backed on a second outing for her trainer at Newcastle. Though unable to convert she will be wiser for the experience, and this former bumper winner has the ammunition required to go one better.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No2 KING OF CHAOS
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Luke Morris
KING OF CHAOS was a bit keen and in the circumstances ran a cracker when second at Wolverhampton. He needs to settle, but if his jockey can get him some cover from an admittedly tricky wide draw he rates a betting proposition.
Race 7 No6 CELTIC JOHN (Nap)
Trainer: Pat Phelan – Jockey: Paddy Bradley
CELTIC JOHN was delivered with expert timing to get up on the line at Lingfield last month and to prevail despite being intimidated by another runner. Scoring by a couple of inches actually worked in his favour, and from a cracking draw here he can show that a move up to a mile and a quarter will see him in an equally good light.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No5 TIGER POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
TIGER POWER was a first time out scorer at Haydock before being anchored by his penalty when well supported to follow up at Newcastle, although he might have been compromised by having to make his challenge wide. He rates the best of his age group in this restricted novice, and can bounce back.
Race 7 No4 BIRKENHEAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Barry McHugh
Midgley has done well with sprinters sourced from former trainer Mick Channon, including the veteran BIRKENHEAD. The nine-year-old has since returning to race on sand gone close over today’s course and distance and deserves a change of luck in a race where he should once again earn.
