Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Wednesday 03 June 2026

NOTTINGHAM

RACE 3 No4 LILLIE MARGOT (Nap)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Jack Garritty

Kameko filly LILLIE MARGOT served up easily her best career effort when making her handicap debut at this course and chasing home odds-on Valkyrie Storm. It was a bold attempt to make all the running, and she doesn’t have an opponent of that calibre to worry about this time.

Race 5 No5 BARBURY BOY
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Marquand

King is doing well with his handicappers on the Flat of whom BARBURY BOY can now step up to the plate. The Oasis Dream gelding has taken his form to a higher level since being switched to handicaps and being moved up in trip, with a success at Beverley and fourth at Haydock. He started odds on for that race but came back with a genuine excuse to encourage me he can bounce back.

Race 6 No3 MAY ENCOUNTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Nicola Currie

Candy lost one of his old warriors Seamus Shindig a few days ago and it would be more than apt if MAY ENCOUNTER, who also carries the trainer’s colours, was successful in this 1200 metres sprint. The Mayson filly embarks on just an eighth career outing, but after narrowly missing out on the money when reappearing at Windsor is more than capable of a bold show.

NEWTON ABBOT

Race 3 No4 BLACK OCC
Trainer: Sheila Lewis – Jockey: Sean Houlihan

This long distance novices’ handicap chase could turn into a real test following the rain and BLACK OCC can handle it. He’s run well with some give in the ground over hurdles and signalled with his recent podium finish at Warwick that there might be a race of this nature in him.

Race 5 No3 AMERICAN LAND (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell

Granted his ability to win when returning from a break, AMERICAN LAND has to be of real interest in this two miles handicap hurdle. In his hat-trick of successes last spring were two appearances at this course and he went on to trouble the judge in each of his other three outings. Since undergoing a second breathing operation he hasn’t put a foot wrong, and is very solid.

WARWICK

Race 2 No5 TOUCHWOODEXPRESS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Kevin Brogan

TOUCHWOODEXPRESS needs looking at in view of his great record when coming back from a break. He’s delivered on seasonal return for the past two seasons, whilst this is his first outing in almost 200 days.

Race 3 No4 MIDNIGHT VIEW (Each Way)
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: Ned Fox

One that can run well at a price is MIDNIGHT VIEW. He put in a winning display over this course and distance to open his account, whilst then finishing third at Ludlow. This latest evidence suggests he can be competitive.

Race 5 No4 SIORAI (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien

SIORAI placed in two maidens from only three starts for Jim Bolger and has troubled the judge twice in four starts over hurdles since joining Derham. The daughter of Derby winner Masar holds scope for progression after a first handicap offering at Sandown which is better than it looks.

RIPON

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

Following a highly encouraging first offering at Pontefract it was disappointing to see SPECTACULAR DIVER fail to show up at York where he was the first beaten. Finishing 12 lengths by the winner Cut A Dash, he needs to be given a chance to redeem himself, as his debut effort points to him being above average and he might have endured an off day.

Race 3 No8 BARLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

BARLEY normally finds a race or two to cover his keep in spite of drawing a blank last year, and I suspect this might be a pay day for him. The seven-year-old put three underwhelming 2026 runs behind him when second at Hamilton, where he needed only one more stride to prevail.