Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Haydock, Catterick Bridge, Musselburgh, Chepstow, and Southwell on 21 May 2026.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 No1 SECRET OF LIFE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
In what could prove an informative novice, SECRET OF LIFE can endorse the promise of her debut success at Wolverhampton. She’s proving to be a work in progress and returns from a long lay off, but can get the better of a well regarded recent winner in BORJINA.
Race 6 No5 FROM THE HIP
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Typer Heard
Usher did well with FROM THE HIP who delivered on his final two starts last season. He went up just 2lb for a photo finish verdict at Kempton but is having only a second outing on grass. He has speed on both sides of the page, and is more than capable after his break of showing further progression.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 3 No6 SAFARI DREAM
Trainer: Rod Millman – Jockey: Jake Dickson
SAFARI DREAM can make the long trip from the West Country pay off in spite of being handed a tricky draw. He avoids a penalty for his triumph in an apprentice race at Salisbury which makes him 5lb well in, and for a trainer whose runners here should always be respected.
Race 5 No6 HOOD WINK (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby- Jockey: Sean Kirrane
HOOD WINK did us a favour when dead heating at Wetherby and ran well from his new mark in a quick reappearance against a handicap snip at Ripon. This is not as strong a race, and he can bounce back.
Race 6 No8 BLUE JAY WAY (Each Way)
Trainer: John Riches – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
BLUE JAY WAY has stamina and speed in his pedigree but takes far more after his sprint bred mother. Though having a tendency to run free in his races he’s had a nice break since his first run back at Wolverhampton, and will be more effective on this track, at which he opened his account last autumn.
Race 7 No3 AMELIA’S JOY (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: George Wood
Expert Eye filly AMELIA’S JOY breaks from the rail in this Class5 around almost a lap of the course. The winner of two of her last three starts, she should operate equally as well back on turf and doesn’t look badly treated for a race in which VELVET RHYTHM could fill the other half of the exacta.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No7 CAILIN AINE
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Connor Beasley
CAILIN ANE has been busy of late but on her third run of the month gets a great chance to recoup the losses sustained on her at Thirsk, where her bid to make all petered out in the final 150 yards. This is a weaker heat and she should take advantage.
Race 3 No3 WHERNSIDE (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Connor Beasley
WHERNSIDE is a very likeable individual for whom rain would prove a welcome boost. On a first run on grass he made a good fist of it against an impressive all the way winner, and will be better for it on this more suitable ground.
CHEPSTOW
Race 3 No4 FOREVER GLAMOROUS
Trainer: Chris Mason – Jockey: Gina Mangan
There will be plenty of attention afforded to Irish raider BOSTOM MAX but the consistent FOREVER GLAMOROUS can cause him problems. The selection represents a trainer-jockey team that do very well with their sprinters at this course.
Race 6 No6 HAPINESS
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hector Crouch
The HAPINESS colours have been lucky ones for Beckett and he’s far from averse at having a filly of this quality ready to strike at the first time of asking. Whilst a market check on her is recommended, it would be no surprise to see her take the spoils whichever way she travels in the betting.
Race 7 No3 RIVER KING (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
RIVER KING has the profile of an upwardly mobile individual, while the form of his career first success is working out. He’s proven at the trip and doesn’t appear to have been given anything like a tortuous task for this first run in a handicap.
SOUTHWELL
Race 7 No1 SOUTH KENSINGTON (Nap)
Trainer: Adam Kirby – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
SOUTH KENSINGTON scored on her final outing of 2025 and signalled when troubling the judge on her latest start that she should be winning soon. Her trainer has engaged hold up specialist Spencer for the mount, though as she breaks from the rail he may be employ different tactics.
Race 8 No8 MU MU LAND
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Tom Kiely-Marshall
When second at this course last month MU MU LAND raised his game to indicate a recent breathing operation is having the desired effect. On a third run back since the surgery he should be spot on.
