Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Bath, Stratford, Ffos Las and Southwell on 29 October 2026.
BATH
Race 5 No13 ALBUS ANNIE (Nap)
Trainer: Jimmy Fox – Jockey: Olivia Haines
ALBUS ANNIE picked up well in the final furlong to score going away at this course in the manner of a mare who is reached her seasonal peak. She’s up a grade over the same mile and a quarter but is capable of following up.
Race 8 No14 LEGENDSOFTHELAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Adrian Wintle – Jockey: Finley Marsh
LEGENDSOFTHELAND brings solid form at this course to the table with figures of 1320. The former Irish based sprinter enjoys a plum draw in the same grade as when he delivered here earlier in the season, since when he’s proved a model of consistency.
STRATFORD
Race 1 No5 ROSIE MAHLER
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Though slow to get going this season, Derham holds claims to take out this mares’ maiden hurdle with ROSIE MAHLER. The six-year-old put in a very pleasing first run under Rules when second in a heavy ground maiden at Haydock and although not seen for almost a year has the firepower to,open her account.
Race 2 No1 RED METAL (Nap)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
RED METAL did this column a good turn with his debut success over hurdles at Stratford. The French bred asserted in the straight to come home unchallenged and appeals as good value for his 5lb penalty.
Race 5 No2 GEORGE’S LAD
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
GEORGE’S LAD was a very consistent performer over hurdles when scoring twice and being placed on five of his other eight starts. He responded positively to a breathing operation last spring, and though beating only one home on chase d3but at Ffos Las that was a baptism of fire from which he can progress now moved into a handicap.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No7 PASSAGE GUENOT (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Harry Cobden
PASSAGE GUENOT scored on his only run in a point for Derek O’Connor and has thrived since his move to Hobbs. In the hands of owner JP McManus’s new retained jockey Harry Cobden the four-year-old can make it a winning introduction under Rules.
Race 6 No2 DOCTOR KILDARE
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
In a race sponsored by his owner, DOCTOR KILDARE could be the horse to be on. The lightly raced chestnut won his first two starts in handicap hurdles for Thomas before making the podium in both subsequent starts in better company. Chasing has always promised to bring out the best in him, and while it’s probable this has been on the agenda for some time his cause is also boosted by the addition of cheek pieces.
Race 7 No1 LEADER IN THE PARK
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
I strongly believe LEADER IN THE PARK is a horse that will more than pay his way in the coming winter. The eight-year-old has kept good company in his time as a chaser but not been without training issues. It means he has few miles on his racing clock, and he’s fancied to make a winning return.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No1 ANTHROPOLOGIST (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
ANTHROPOLOGIST attracted plenty of support when rewarding us with a clear cut triumph over 1400 metres here. He’s taken that in his stride, and now back moved up to a mile can prove his stamina for the extra distance, as he certainly wasn’t stopping towards the business end last week.
Race 3 No10 PERFECT HOPE
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Sean Levey
Sheer consistency is an asset in racing but sometimes doesn’t yield that outright success. I hope that’s not the case any more with PERFECT HOPE, who seeks to end a run of four near misses. Tom Ward equips her with a tongue strap today, which could do the trick on her first visit to this track.
Race 6 No13 DOWN TO THE KID (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
The giant DOWN TO THE KID steps out after an absence of six months during which he’s undergone a breathing operation. A three times winner over 1400 metres here in 2026, he’s shown in the past he can go well when fresh, and could make this a seventh career win at the course where he’s become a standing dish. Herrington also fields NIKOVO who is more than capable and warrants a saver.
