Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Wednesday, 13 May 2026

YORK

Race 1 No5 SPECTACULAR DIVER (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

A new start to the May meeting in the form of a novice in which SPECTACULAR DIVER can make full use of his experience edge. The selection is from the final crop of Dandy Man and showed abundant promise when chasing home the smart Innichen at Pontefract. That form is very strong, and he’s confidently expected to go one better.

Race 2 No1 PLAGE DE HAVRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

There was plenty of money behind PLAGE DE HAVRE on his first run back at Kempton, but the gelding failed to make any impact on the leaders in the straight. It could be that he didn’t like the track and needed the outing to blow away the cobwebs, as it was his first appearance since taking out the valuable Old Newton Cup at Haydock last July. He’s back into a Class2 from a Listed today, and though having to concede weight is capable of leaving that first offering a long way behind.

Race 3 No2 POCKLINGTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Geoff Oldroyd – Jockey: PJ McDonald

POCKLINGTON disappointed me with his latest effort at Newcastle where he failed to fire at the business end. It was a rare reverse for the five-year-old whose previous visits to Gosforth Park had produced a 11222 sequence. His three races on the Knavesmire have shown he can go on the grass, and especially when he finished third in a Class2 at the August meeting when beaten in a blanket finish. One who should be supported and worth a saver is TROPICAL STORM, who could raise his game equipped with a first time visor. PILGRIM represents a master trainer of sprinters and could also enter calculations, as can the underrated ROUSING ENCORE.

Prediction: 1st POCKLINGTON, 2nd Tropical Storm, 3rd Pilgrim, 4th Rousing Encore

Race 4 GO LOCAL STORES MINSTER STAKES (Group 2)

No6 CRESTOFDISTINCTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley

The Duke Of York Stakes has a new name, and greeting its sponsors is a wide open sprint in which it could pay to go in search of value. While the evidence from his first run back when in the ruck in the Abernant at Newmarket suggests he might struggle in this higher grade, CRESTOFDISTINCTION has put in some creditable work in the past month and could be over priced at 33-1. He was Listed and Group placed on his final outings in 2025 and done well physically. ARAMARAM looks an improved individual based on his Doncaster Listed triumph and second in the Abernant. The Blue Point entire is right in the zone and can engage in another podium earning run. REGIONAL troubled the judge in a couple of Group 1s last year to make him a potential danger to all, though he finds it hard to win. COOL HOOF LUKE looks progressive as a new kid on the sprinting block. He’s yet to finish out of the money in only six career starts, which gives him scope for further progression.

Prediction: 1st CRESTOFDISTINCTION, 2nd Cool Hoof Luke, 3rd Regional, 4th Aramaram

Race 5 TATTERSALLS MUSIDORA STAKES (Group 3)

No2 FELICITAS
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark

LEGACY LINK has been all the rage for this Oaks trial since her eye taking effort to finish just out of the money in the 1,000 Guineas. The Dubawi filly represents a stable that boasts a superb record in the race. She is bred to appreciate the longer trip and will be hard to stop, but the unbeaten FELICITAS can cause her problems. It’s true that the selection’s form is in novice company, meaning that she will need to step up a long way, but the manner of her delivery at Sandown was visually impressive, whilst showing that this extended mile and a quarter is well within her stamina resources. SEA THE STORM is preferred to MOMENTS OF JOY for third spot. Her early form has been franked at Group level, she stays every yard of the trip while her trainer is red hot with his runners at this meeting.

Prediction: 1st FELICITAS, 2nd Legacy Link, 3rd Sea The Storm

Race 6 No6 INISHBEG (Each Way)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Kevin Stott

AL NAJASHI looks to make this a sixth triumph in as many starts in what has been an ultra busy year for the all-weather specialist. The million dollar question is whether he can do the same on just a second outing on grass, which makes INISHBEG a more attractive proposition. The son of Ghaiyyath has very few miles on his racing clock, and though proving easy to back was always in control when opening his account at Thirsk. More to the point, he races for a trainer who has excelled with horses of his ilk, and could easily make a mockery of his opening handicap mark.

Race 7 No1 GALYX (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand

GALYX was withdrawn from his intended first run back at Hamilton and I imagine his connections will take a look at the ground before giving him the green light to run. He’s a very interesting horse going forward, and whatever his fate today is one to put in your notebooks. But I will keep investments on him low key if he does take part. As few in the race grab me the likes of MASTER BUILDER and HERMETIC can go into the mix as lively outsiders. MAFTING could prove the pick of those closer to the top of the market in a race that should provide some pointers for the future.

Prediction: 1st GALYX, 2nd Mafting, 3rd Master Builder, 4th Hermetic

YARMOUTH

Race 5 No8 NOBLE GUEST (Nap)
Trainer: George Margarson – Jockey: David Egan

NOBLE GUEST has been dropped 1lb for an encouraging first run back when third over course and distance last month. He should have greatly benefitted from that needed outing, and has a good chance of opening his account against lightly raced BEAGLE BAY.

NEWTON ABBOT

Race 3 No3 SIAM PARK
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell

SIAM PARK was still leading when undertaking an uncharacteristic fall last time. Nonetheless worse for the spill, he’s stepping up in trip, and can bounce back.

Race 5 No2 CERTAINLY RED
Trainer: Lydia Richards – Jockey: Marco Goldstein

Veteran CERTAINLY RED put in a very pleasing run on his return from a lengthy absence at Sandown. Although eventually succumbing up the final hill the performance shows he still retains much of his old ability, and on a first visit to this course he can roll back the years.

Race 6 No6 REGATTA DE BLANC (Nap)
Trainer: William Biddick – Jockey: Mr Charlie Marshall

REGATTA DE BLANC lost her way on the hunter-chase circuit but returns to the fray having won her last two points, latterly over four miles. She’s still young enough to make her mark in this division, and can down the short priced favourite GOLDEN SON.

BATH

Race 2 No3 ROMEO GUEST (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes

Bungle Inthejungle colt ROMEO GUEST is out of a multiple winning mare and related to some useful past inmates of West Ilsley Stables. His trainer appears to have found a weak race for this first outing. He reared up and was withdrawn from his first race at Newbury, and has been subsequently stalls tested. Not many Channon juveniles win on debut, but if behaving at the gate he can prove an exception.