Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Friday 05 June 2026

EPSOM DOWNS

Race 1 No11 HANNEY GIRL (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

Let’s hope that HANNEY GIRL isn’t making the long journey from Malton just for the goodness of her health. The Cable Bay filly has progressed from race to race in three starts this season, latterly troubling the judge on ground that was not unlike today’s at Haydock. This is however a wickedly competitive sprint and for exotic purposes it could be worth adding NAANA’S SHADOW and RILEY ROCKS.

Race 3 BETFRED DIOMED STAKES (Group 3)

No6 ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa

ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT rocks up in the same race in which he underwhelmed 12 months ago but is having a first outing of the season with a strong jockey on board for the first time, who might be able to get a tune out of him. He was ambitiously campaigned in 2025, but interestingly his only success happened when there was plenty of give in the ground. If able to operate as well as he works at home can ruffle the feathers of those at the head of the market of whom PERSICA has the best form, but is certainly beatable.

Race 4 No6 HAND OF GOD (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds

HAND OF GOD ran well in the Spring Cup and made a successful return to Newbury last month where he greatly appreciated stepping up to a mile and a quarter and scored by a cosy margin under the same jockey who is in his saddle today. The chestnut is a well balanced individual who should handle these undulations. Another big earning run is in the offing as he enjoys a perfect draw from which to lie handy, whilst the first two in the betting SALLAAL and RESPOND have work to do from stalls 16 and 15 respectively.

Prediction: 1st HAND OF GOD, 2nd Respond, 3rd Sallaal

Race 5 BETFRED OAKS (Group 1)

No2 AMELIA EARHART (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore

With the torrential rain having scuppered the chance of Precise joining her in the line up, AMELIA EARHART looks very strong in all departments as she tries to take out this historic Classic. The daughter of Camelot wears a hood and blinkers but is thoroughly genuine. She was a beaten favourite in each of her first four starts before opening her account at Leopardstown in the autumn, but looked a different filly stepped up to this mile and a half on the Roodee, responding to Moore’s urgings to forge clear in the final furlong. If there’s one to beat her in a race that has cut up it’s unlikely to be her stablemates CAMEO and SUGAR ISLAND. More potent threats loom in the form of Joseph O’Brien’s unexposed Navan Group 3 scorer THUNDERING ON and the Musidora Stakes winner LEGACY LINK.

Prediction: 1st AMELIA EARHART, 2nd Legacy Link, 3rd Thundering On

Race 6 No3 MISTER WINSTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy

With his ability to race freely and close to the pace, MISTER WINSTON should prove difficult to reel in under the champion jockey. He landed some good bets at the Newmarket Craven meeting, and although unable to consolidate in a similar race back at the Rowley Course on Guineas day was probably ridden too vigorously. He’s more than capable of bouncing back, though one that’s worth saving on is HOT CASH who brings course winning form to the table and looked unlucky not to win at Thirsk last month. He’s going to get the strongly run mile he needs, though a tad worrying is that his stable has been without a winner in almost a month. Others to put into exactas and trifectas are the unexposed CELEBORN, STERLING KNIGHT and ASMEN WARRIOR. The latter is of particular interest. He’s well drawn, and in first time blinkers should get into the shake up.

Prediction: 1st MISTER WINSTON, 2nd Hot Cash, 3rd Asmen Warrior, 4th Celeborn, 5th Sterling Knight

Race 8 No1 DANCE IN THE STORM
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy

There’s a touch of class about DANCE IN THE STORM that served her well on her seasonal reappearance at Chester. Murphy gave the filly a peach as he settled her in mid pack before picking off the field under a strong staying finish in the short home straight. The hooded selection is no stranger to conceding weight, with hat-trick seeking ZARATHOS probably her main obstacle to a follow-up success.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 6 No1 MERESIDE PRINCESS (Nap)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Oliver Stammers

A single advice at this meeting is MERESIDE PRINCESS. The Cotai Glory filly has to concede weight all round, but having revelled in the easy conditions when making all at Carlisle just needs to show she can operate in similar fashion on this faster terrain.

THIRSK

Race 1 No9 KYRENIA (Nap)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Rhys Elliott

Barron can also be on the mark with Coulsty filly KYRENIA who was a 20-1 shot when claiming a podium finish on her first run at Ripon. It was encouraging to see her stay on into the money when the penny dropped, and she will be more streetwise.

GOODWOOD

Race 1 No8 TILANI (Nap)
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Jack Dace

TILANI has shown himself to be much improved with back-to-back successes in an apprentice race at Newbury and a Class6 at Yarmouth. Neither of those races were in any doubt once the gelding hit the front, and though the handicapper has had his say there should be more to come.

Race 6 No7 MUST BELIEVE
Trainer: George Baker – Jockey: Ryan Kavanagh

MUST BELIEVE a got home by the skin of his teeth at Kempton and now returns to the grass off a 4lb higher mark. It proved the perfect start for his career with Baker, and as this is just a fifth ever run on turf the gelding could progress further.

DONCASTER

Race 3 No6 RULER OF TIME (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Zac Lloyd

RULER OF TIME represents a stable that took out this race 12 months ago. He carried a tall reputation last season only to be beaten on his first two starts. He then fared with mixed fortunes in Dubai, latterly finishing second in handicap company on turf. He’s a first ride in Britain for Australian Lloyd, a former champion apprentice Down Under who has arrived principally to ride at Royal Ascot.

Race 6 No8 PAPA COCKTAIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jack Mitchell

PAPA COCKTAIL is a favourite of mine who rarely fails to trouble the judge. Arguably his best display came when he was beaten into second over this course and distance two runs back. He’s returning to his optimum trip tonight, when it should pay to put a line through his disappointing run at York. This race will be run to suit, and he’s perfectly capable of bouncing back.

BATH

Race 4 No7 STRIKE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jonny Portman- Jockey: Rob Hornby

Although yet to win at this course STRIKE has gone close on three occasions, including when being foiled as a heavily backed favourite last time. It was his third frame finish from four outings this year, and if going one better the grey would be a deserving winner.

Race 7 No9 MALI STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass

MALI STAR has on two occasions here flattered to decisive, and is becoming expensive to follow. He was denied a run through on his return at action in late April before making up a lot of ground when losing out in a blanket finish just a week later. He’s had a month to get over those exertions and can recoup the losses.