Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming from Doncaster, Kempton Park, Uttoxeter, Stratford, and Southwell on 28 March 2026.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No1 A BEAR AFFAIR
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
Granted the trainer’s excellent record in this Brocklesby Stakes, which he has won twice since 2002, much attention is focussed on the Hannon runner A BEAR AFFAIR. The son of Kodi Bear has done plenty of fast work at Herridge and can exploit any holes in the make up of paper favourite BLIXEN FORCE.
Race 3 No12 MEZCALA (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
MEZCALA has been popular in the market for this Spring Mile and is ready to trouble the best of them. His owners have been very lucky with their runners at the Lincoln meeting and the Expert Eye gelding ran well on each start of a select 3yo campaign, including when beaten only three lengths when out of the money on his final appearance at Newmarket.
Race 4 No3 QIRAT (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Colin Keane
Last season’s shock Sussex Stakes winner QIRAT can get his foes in trouble by employing similar forcing tactics. When things go right for him, as they did in that Goodwood Group 1, he is very hard to peg back, and it’s hard to see where there’s one that will take him on over the straight mile today.
Race 5 WILLIAM HILL LINCOLN HANDICAP
No7 URBAN LION (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
The Channons saddled Johan to win this race four years ago, and the West Ilsley operation could again have the answer in URBAN LION. This track and the ground will suit the selection who was not disgraced when beaten around six lengths into ninth in the Cambridgeshire, won by Boiling Point. He’s been a bit raw around the edges but appears to have grown up, while Greatrex is the man to get the best out of him. Furthermore he’s drawn 2 and three of the last four winners have enjoyed a low number. A springer in the ante post market has been the lightly raced LA BOTTE. He looked unlucky not to land the hugely competitive Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot and then shaped well on his first run of 2026 at Wolverhampton. He could easily be a Group horse masquerading as a handicapper. ETERNAL FORCE represents William Haggas on an 8lb higher mark than when completing a hat-trick at Haydock. His season was transformed by a gelding operation and Haggas supplied last year’s winner with Godwinson. At longer odds I like METAL MERCHANT, who suffered from his own consistency but is now in a new stable and operating from a lower mark.
Prediction: 1st URBAN LION, 2nd La Botte, 3rd Eternal Force, 4th Metal Merchant
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No8 GOLDEN REDEMPTION
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
GOLDEN REDEMPTION skipped an opportunity on the all-weather which can prove a wise move. After shipping from Dubai the Medaglia D’Oro colt troubled the judge in each of his five outings out of Park House which included a win at Newbury. He frequently attracted support, and the same could be true this afternoon.
Race 2 No7 BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
The historic Queen’s Prize can fall to BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS, who after an incredible run of seconditis deserves a change of luck. He hit the crossbar on all three starts in 2025 including the Brown Jack at Ascot in July. An eight month subsequent absence is a worry, but he’s shown in the past that he can operate effectively when fresh from a break.
Race 4 No8 NEVER LET GO (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: George Downing
SURVIE is very short in the betting for this Listed race which begs us to seek out some value. That can come in the shape of NEVER LET GO, who is well regarded by her trainer. The daughter of No Nay Never wasn’t able to build on her gritty triumph in Ascot’s Sandringham Handicap in June but hinted that black type was within her compass when second in the Dick Hern Stakes at Haydock.
UTTOXETER
Race 2 No5 SOLID PERFORMER (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
SOLID PERFORMER was in total command when crumpling at the penultimate hurdle at Haydock to make him a winner without a penalty. This strong stayer is expected to make amends and looks a very tasty prospect for fences next season.
Race 6 No2 MAGICAL KING ( Each Way)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Charlie Hammond
MAGICAL KING did not enjoy his period jumping fences and when returned to hurdles put in a much more creditable performance at Newbury. He prefers the good to soft ground he will most likely encounter this afternoon, and his double figure price is too big to resist.
STRATFORD
Race 3 No1 CLASSIC KING (Nap)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Harry Cobden
CLASSIC KING’s previous flirtation with chasing resulted in one success but was largely tainted by his tendency to make mistakes. Following a complete no show at Cheltenham the gelding might be worth risking back over fences, because if anyone can get him to jump better, Harry Cobden is that man
Race 6 No3 REGAL RENAISSANCE
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: San Twiston-Davies
REGAL RENAISSANCE has carded just one success over fences but regularly troubles the judge, and especially when Twiston-Davies is in her saddle. She operates best on an easy track like this, and following a solid run at Ludlow can again earn on a first visit to this course.
Race 7 No9 WHATSGOINGNMARVIN
Trainer: Mickey Bowen – Jockey: Shane Fenelon
My eye is drawn to WHATSGOINGONMARVIN who after three educational outings could easily show more in this first run in a handicap. A three times winner for Sir Mark Prescott in 2025, the Camelot gelding gets weight from the field, and is well worth a market check.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No3 GOLDEN MUSE (Nap)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Although she will be short GOLDEN MUSE appeals as the only advice on this evening card. The Golden Horn filly landed some good bets when opening her account at Wolverhampton and can defy her penalty in a race that’s cut up favourably for her.
