Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket , Brighton, Chepstow, Sandown Park and Southwell on 06 August 2026
NEWMARKET
Race 5 No5 KOALA ROSE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hector Crouch
KOALA ROSE can prove a deserving winner as the youngest runner in this stayers’ handicap. She was up against a doughty stayer on handicap bow, and though ultimately held by him has to be greatly respected returning off an unchanged mark.
Race 6 No4 SEEKING CHARLES (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Tyler Heard
SEEKING CHARLES is weighted to turn the tables with EDUCATOR, who beat him at Windsor, and appeals as a lively type to prevail in the finale. He’s been dropped 1lb and though yet to win a race has more potential than anything else in the field.
BRIGHTON
Race 2 THE MONKEY KING (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
THE MONKEY KING to beat FOSCARINI is the way I see this panning out. The Nap upped his game on a second start when switched to turf to claim a cheque and can open his account before having his attention turned to nurseries.
Race 6 No4 SERENITY DREAM
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jack Doughty
SERENITY DREAM looks much the better of his trainer’s two runners in the nightcap. He’s higher than ever in his career ratings wise, but has his tail up after scoring at Chepstow and his jockey knows him well.
CHEPSTOW
Race 1 No1 DOUBLE RED (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Rob Hornby
From a stable that gave us a nice winner earlier in the week, DOUBLE RED has the fortitude to defy top weight for owners that include Alex Frost. He gave it his best shot when second at Salisbury for which he went up 1lb, but it was his fourth earning run from five outings in 2026 and this fast ground is in his favour.
Race 4 No6 SPIRIT OF THE BAY
Trainer: John Flint – Jockey: Taylor Fisher
SPIRIT OF THE BAY posted a second win for his trainer when looking to score with something to spare over the course and distance last month. He travelled best, and when given the office quickly put a seal on proceedings. His other success for Flint also happed here, so he is very much on his favoured terrain.
Race 6 No4 RED SNAPPER
Trainer: Kathy Turner – Jockey: Charlie Tucker
In a tightly framed handicap RED SNAPPER looks the one. In first time blinkers he always appeared likely to prevail at Salisbury, and despite meeting traffic he was soon well on top after hitting the front to score going away. He can follow-up, with HALLANDALE BEACH forming the flip side of the exacta.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No2 CATCHING DREAMS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Connor Planas
Showcasing colt CATCHING DREAMS has the points on the board following his pleasing first effort when second to a well supported winner over this 1000 metres at Lingfield. He gave his conqueror plenty to think about, has come on for it and should take care of business as the best bet on the card.
Race 5 No6 THURSDAY GIRL
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
LUNARIO has a good chance of repeating his 2025 victory in this but the concession of 3lb to THURSDAY GIRL might prove too much for him. The selection ran into a very smart foe when second on her reappearance at Newmarket, occupied the same placing in two subsequent outings and then landed the odds with a bit to spare at Nottingham, a win that has done wonders for her confidence.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No4 DISTILLATION
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Rab Havlin
DISTILLATION delivered a professional performance to open his account at Wolverhampton when making most and shaking off three challengers. He’s well drawn for this slightly longer contest, and if leading can serve up a repeat.
Race 4 No7 VINERY (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: David Nolan
Although easy to back on both Leicester outings so far, VINERY finished with gusto on the latest and has thrived for a five week break. He should go forward again and open his account in a race where the step up to 1600 metres will play to his strengths.
Race 6 No5 BABA REZA
Trainer: Julie Camacho- Jockey: Clifford Lee
A second breathing operation appears to have done the trick for BABA REZA, who in two outings after the surgery has made the podium. If the chestnut arrives in similar form he looks the one to beat in a weak affair.
Race 8 No5 MEET ME IN MERAKI (Each Way)
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: John Egan
MEET ME IN MERAKI came off eleven straight runs on sand to trouble the judge in two outings on grass. The cash that came for him went west at Ffos Las but he should get into the shake-up in this slightly better race, and if getting luck in running can win.
