Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming from Newmarket , Ripon and Hereford on 16 April 2026.
NEWMARKET
Race 3 ZYN ABERNANT STAKES (Group 3)
No1 ARAMARAM (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
ARAMARAM looked an improved sprinter when taking out the Listed Cambridge Trophy on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster. The Blue Point entire travelled up smoothly before putting the race to bed with a telling change of gear. He is out for more in an open race that remembers one of the best of all time, and can go in again granted the benefit that Town Moor triumph should bring to him.
Race 4 BETWAY CRAVEN STAKES (Group 3)
No3 HANKELOW
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
Night Of Thunder colt HANKELOW has a point to prove in this Guineas trial against AVICENNA who pipped him in a Listed race at Doncaster, while HIDDEN FORCE brings an unbeaten record on sand to the table. The latter is a beautifully bred individual for whom I can pass on good reports but HANKELOW was an engaging winner of the Autumn Stakes (Group 3) when last seen here and possesses the size and scope to go a long way in 2026. Coolmore representative HAWK MOUNTAIN also enters calculations following three straight successes culminating in the Group 1 William Hill Futurity, making this one of the best renewals of the race I can remember in quite a while.
Race 6 No4 MAHO BAY
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Dubawi colt MAHO BAY is among four once raced winners in what should be a good watching experience for this mile and a quarter novice. Appleby has won the race five times since 2018 making this horse of particular interest, and he was very impressive on that first run at Kempton back in December. John Gosden’s GUILDMASTER also sports the Godolphin jacket following his uncomplicated triumph at Lingfield, and he can fill the other half of the exacta.
RIPON
Race 1 No2 MIND OVER MATTER
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Jason Hart
MIND OVER MATTER was placed on his first two starts at Ayr but didn’t manage to build on it when switched to the all-weather at Newcastle. He’s equipped with a first time hood for this return to the fray, and should be good enough.
Race 3 No3 STORM ESME (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
Palace Pier filly STORM ESME delivered on two of her three outings at two, being well supported when going from gate to wire at Leicester. In the colours of Valmont she is a very good sprinting prospect for Habton Grange Stables this year.
Race 5 No5 POMME POMME (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
POMME POMME put together an impressive five race winning sequence under her apprentice rider in the spring and early summer of 2025. Although needing a couple of outings to bring her to the boil, that was when she was en route to getting a handicap mark, and she should be straighter for this first run of the season.
HEREFORD
Race 2 No6 CHURCHMAN
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Joe Tickle
CHURCHMAN has had many chances and so needs to be treated with an element of caution, but his recent form is very solid, and if running as well as he did in defeat here and at Stratford he should post a much overdue first success under Rules.
Race 4 No5 SHERBORNE (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
SHERBORNE absolutely bolted up at Ascot under an astute ride from Gingell. He’s arguably in a better race, but loves going right handed and this easy track should suit him in his hat-trick attempt, one which he can complete.
