Racing Tips Today - Thursday 21st May 2026
Thursday’s racing has a busy feel to it, with afternoon Flat action from Haydock, Catterick and Musselburgh before the evening cards at Southwell and Chepstow keep things rolling. We’ve picked out the leading NAPs from today’s table, plus the headline selections from Templegate, Robin Goodfellow and Newsboy, before rounding up the key racing angles to note.
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Today’s NAPs Table – Top 3
The NAPs table has a clear shape heading into Thursday’s racing, with Matt Polley sitting top of the pile after a strong start to the current competition. His selection comes at Southwell this evening, while Newmarket and Farringdon also feature in the top three with runners at Southwell and Haydock respectively.
| Tipster | NAP | Race/Time | Odds | P&L £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Polley (Ipswich Star) | J Street | Southwell - 17:57 | 9/2 | £26.71 |
| Newmarket (Racing Post) | Royal Fanfare | Southwell - 19:00 | 4/5 | £14.22 |
| Farringdon (Morning Star) | Showtown | Haydock - 16:38 | 7/1 | £13.38 |
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Templegate & Other Big-Name NAPs
There are also some familiar names to keep an eye on away from the main table, with Templegate, Robin Goodfellow and Newsboy all putting up their best bets for the day. Their selections are spread across Catterick, Haydock and Musselburgh, giving punters a decent mix of afternoon targets.
- Templegate - Velvet Rhythm, 17:27 Catterick, 11/10
- Robin Goodfellow - Trilby, 17:13 Haydock, 13/8
- Newsboy - Spirit Catcher, 17:00 Musselburgh, 5/2
Racing News Round-Up
- Haydock ground could be a major factor: Haydock’s afternoon card is being run on soft ground, which gives the meeting a different complexion and could put the emphasis on proven stamina rather than pure speed. The 15:30 handicap is one race where conditions and draw position may both be worth noting.
- Irish Guineas weekend moves into focus: The Curragh’s Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas is now firmly on the horizon, with 13 runners listed for Saturday’s Group 1 over a mile. It adds a proper Classic backdrop to the end of the week as the Flat season continues to build momentum.