Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Lingfield Park, Haydock Park, and Leicester on 09 May 2026.
ASCOT
Race 3 No24 NIKOVO (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
If there’s to be an upset in the Victoria Cup then hold up horse NIKOVO is the type that could provide it. He’s spent the majority of the last 18 months racing on the all-weather but when switched to grass in the Spring Cup at Newbury wasn’t entirely disgraced as he was one of the last to come off the bridle. He’s a monster price and warrants a speculative investment, although there are other roughies in here that could also have a say. GOLDEN MIND was looked upon as a Group horse in his juvenile season, and though an infrequent winner subsequently showed with his good run at Musselburgh last month that he’s on the cusp of another success. NOSTRUM is a Group 3 and Listed race winner and a pea out of the same pod. While he drew a blank in six outings for his last trainer it’s interesting that this is his first run for Mike Appleby, and the change of scenery might work. These three outsiders are worth comingling with YORKSHIRE, who has a good record when fresh from a break, and also TRIBAL CHIEF for whom Billy Loughnane is an eye taking booking.
Prediction: 1st NIKOVO, 2nd Tribal Chief, 3rd Nostrum, 4th Yorkshire, 5th Golden Mind
Race 4 No10 VALEDICTORY (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
In this handicap the lightly raced VALEDICTORY represents top connections, brings very strong form to the table and could prove the proverbial snip. He’s been heavily supported on each of his last three outings including when a shade of odds-on at Newbury when Rathgar got first run on him. The money that went west that day should now be recouped with interest.
Race 7 No5 CAJETAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
CAJETAN went into my notebook when troubling the judge at Newcastle after meeting plenty of trouble in running. Carr does very well with cast offs from other stables and this could well be D-Day for the five-year-old, who is undoubtedly well handicapped.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 WILLIAM HILL OAKS TRIAL (Listed)
No5 ROMANTIC SYMPHONY
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The first Classic trial on the cards offers up a Coolmore versus Godolphin scenario that the Boys In Blue can prosper from. Their representative ROMANTIC SYMPHONY takes a two race unbeaten record to post, and was hugely impressive in landing the odds laid on her on her Kempton reappearance last month. She’s a beautifully bred daughter of Dubawi who has already proved herself over this trip. Aidan O’Brien fields a twin attack on the prize with CAMEO and BLOOM. It seems Ryan Moore prefers the former, but she has something to prove after finishing out of the money on her reappearance at the Curragh, while it would be no surprise if her stablemate proved more dangerous to the selection.
Race 3 WILLIAM HILL LINGFIELD DERBY TRIAL (Listed)
No5 MAHO BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Godolphin can bag this Derby trial with another progeny of Dubawi in the form of MAHO BAY. He’s also been heavily supported to score at Kempton before Christmas and on his return in a novice at the Craven meeting at which he made all, and quickened clear when meeting the rising ground. On breeding he should have no trouble getting the extra yardage today, while he has the balance and brawn to handle the switchback course which very much resembles Epsom. From the O’Brien camp ISAAC NEWTON has definite claims but needs to improve, and a bigger threat to the Nap could stem from MALTESE CROSS, who can form the flip side of the exacta.
Race 4 WILLIAM HILL CHARTWELL FILLIES’ STAKES (Group 3)
No1 COPACABANA SANDS
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Ryan Moore
On this rare occasion that Moore teams up with Balding the combination can prove a toxic one with COPACABANA SANDS. She was a Group 3 and Listed winner for her previous trainer in Ireland and brings very strong form to the table, having shown plenty in her work ahead of a first outing out of Park House Stables.
Race 5 No2 BACK IN BLACK
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
BACK IN BLACK has done the majority of his racing over today’s trip of 1400 metres, though when making a podium finish on his return to action in the Newbury Spring Cup he stepped up to a mile. I fancy Fanshawe has in mind the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot as a main target for the grey, who is perfectly capable of teeing himself up for it with a delivery today.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No5 GIBBS ISLAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
GIBBS ISLAND could be the answer to the ultra competitive Swinton Handicap Hurdle at a track where he put in a personal best. He was noted doing all his best work at the finish after being given too much to do in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and is just 1lb higher than for his last success.
Race 4 No2 BARBURY BOY
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
BARBURY BOY has plenty of stamina on the dam’s side of his pedigree and showed plenty at the end of his race despite taking a keen hold on handicap debut at Beverley. His trainer looks to have found another good opportunity for him, as this isn’t the strongest of contests.
Race 6 No11 TEN BOB TONY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
TEN BOB TONY was campaigned like a good horse through the 2024 and 2025 seasons and carded a career best with his success in the Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes at this course a year ago. He finished third in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, and if running close to either of those performances should get the job done in this Listed race which his trainer is using as a springboard to Royal Ascot.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No10 THUNDA STRUCK (Nap)
Trainer: David Loughnane – Jockey: Rowan Scott
THUNDA STRUCK made a promising start when chasing home a well regarded foe at Ripon. The daughter of Bungle Inthejungle will be more streetwise, and should open her account as the only bet on this card.
