Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Thirsk, Ffos Las, Goodwood and Fontwell Park on 28 August 2026.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 1 No2 INNICHEN
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: William Buick
INNICHEN blew the start and then met trouble in running when taking home a minor cheque on his nursery debut at Goodwood. He was over faced in the big Sales race at York but this is calmer waters for the colt who is bred to handle easier conditions should the forecast rain arrive.
Race 3 No11 THUNDER HOME (Nap)
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
All eyes will be on THUNDER HOME as the colt tries to put behind him the riding error that cost him certain victory here earlier in the month. On that occasion the son of Night Of Thunder surrendered a four lengths lead in the final 150 when his pilot briefly stopped riding. He is the proverbial winner without a penalty, and from a plum draw should make amends.
Race 6 No1 GALYX
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
If ever a horse could do with some cut in the ground it’s GALYX, whose last success was gained almost two years ago in the heavy. He’s been sparingly campaigned in the interim with just six subsequent outings, but with such a low mileage he’s a horse that can reward us through the late summer and autumn, and this is his best winning opportunity in a while.
THIRSK
Race 1 No5 HATAMOTO
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Miss Rebecca Burley
Having drawn the rail HATAMOTO will need a slick exit from the gate to grab a prominent early position. Should he achieve that he should get into the money under his inexperienced pilot, with JUNGLE KNIGHT also fancied to get into the shake-up for the Rimell trainer and son combination.
Race 4 No17 WOODSTOCK (Nap)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Oisin Orr
An overdue drop back to this 1200 metres did the trick for WOODSTOCK when he finished strongly to take out the Silver Cup at Ripon. He forged a good rapport with his jockey that day, and from a potentially good slot in the gate can again get involved in this very competitive heat.
Race 5 No3 NORTHERN EXPRESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
While being drawn on the flank of this big field isn’t the ideal spot for NORTHERN EXPRESS I’m tempted to go with him as his recent form suggests he’s getting back to his best, especially his win at York and third in the Summer Cup here at the beginning of the month. He’s not short of gate speed, and if getting across he should again earn.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No5 MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: Steve Donoghue
MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT is a second horse from the Horton yard and owned by Saeed Suhail worth backing today. She’s also by Night Of Thunder, and while needing to step up to win this Class5 she raised her game to chase home an impressive winner here last month and gained valuable experience of the course in the process.
Race 3 No4 WITHTEARSINMYEYES (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
This should be run to suit WITHTEARSINMYEYES who has suffered the ignominy of finishing second three times and third once in four starts in the colours of Chris Wright. The Invincible Spirit filly is thoroughly genuine, has grown into her frame and deserves a change of luck in a race that’s cut up.
Race 5 No2 SUNSHINE AND ROSES
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Channon has prospects of landing a double as SUNSHINE AND ROSES arrives on an earning streak and should enjoy a return to grass. She goes well for Dawes and the combination’s near miss at Wolverhampton last time can be avenged.
GOODWOOD
Race 4 No9 VELVET GOLDMINE
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
VELVET GOLDMINE could be a standout off bottom weight and getting first time headgear on handicap debut. It was only by a short head that she failed to land a gamble in a restricted novice at Bath last time, and on just a fourth career start there should be more to come.
Race 5 No3 VEIL OF CLOUDS (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Harry Davies
VEIL OF CLOUDS ran out a wide margin scorer after being backed as if defeat was out of the question at Lingfield and needs respecting on her switch back to turf. The daughter of Pinatubo is strongly fancied to follow-up and should take care of business.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 1 No4 EASTER ICON
Trainer: Gary Brown – Jockey: Isabelle Ryder
EASTER ICON loved it round here when scoring over a shorter trip in June, and with a subsequent good effort on the Flat under his belt should take out the opener as a worthy favourite.
Race 4 No1 YOUDECIDE (Nap)
YOUDECIDE jumped superbly on the way to coming home unchallenged on his return to action at Stratford on Tuesday. It’s no surprise to see him back for more under a penalty, and this well treated individual should make no mistake.
