Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Epsom Downs , Musselburgh , Worcester, Doncaster and Chepstow on 06 June 2026.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 1 BETFRED TATTENHAM CORNER STAKES (Group 3)
No5 NEVER SO BOLD
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
NEVER SO BOLD was one of the most improved horses in training in 2025 when he won three of his five starts including Ascot’s Group 2 Summer Mile and the Group 1 City Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire. He also ran well without picking up a cheque in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, where after a slow start he met traffic problems. He was noticeably easy to back when reappearing in the Sandown Mile, and it’s safe to say that run has brought him on considerably.
Race 2 PRNCESS ELIZABETH STAKES (Group 3)
No6 PINA SONATA
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Mary Slack looks to have a good prospect on her hands in the progressive PINA SONATA, who though facing her toughest test can show she’s up to the task in hand. Having been over faced in a Deauville Group 1 last August the daughter of Pinatubo returned to run out the cosiest of winners in the Listed Snowdrop Stakes at Kempton. That was just a sixth career start for the selection, whose trainer is a master at getting the very best out of an older filly.
Race 3 COOLMORE CORONATION CUP (Group 1)
No2 CALANDAGAN (Nap)
Trainer: Francis Graffard – Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Global champions certainly don’t come ten a penny and we have to step back and look in awe at the record of CALANDAGAN after his international travels that notched him a Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, a King George, the Champion Stakes, the Japan Cup and the Dubai Sheema Classic. Singspiel back in the nineties is the last I can recall with such a record and who is to say the Nap won’t add further far away Group 1s to his CV in 2026 ? He last met defeat in this race 12 months ago and subsequent events now explain the somewhat shocked look on the face of Graffard after his charge failed to peg back JAN BRUEGHEL. That opponent lies in wait for him again today, having made a pleasing comeback in the Ormonde at Chester. Last season’s Betfred Derby hero LAMBOURN also pitches up for Aidan O’Brien after taking out the Group 2 Huxley Stakes on the Roodee, but this should evolve into a day of revenge for the outstanding CALANDAGAN.
Race 5 BETFRED DERBY (Group 1)
No7 BENVENUTO CELLINI
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
It’s been a while since a chestnut won our Premier Classic but that could all change when the flashy BENVENUTO CELLINI exits Tattenham Hill to take aim at the leaders in what should prove a race to savour. The son of Frankel is the main arrow from a four strong Coolmore team and a worthy favourite following his tromping triumph in the Chester Vase. O’Brien loves to educate his Classic horses on the turning Roodee and the idiosyncrasies of that track proved no problem to my selection, who after striking the front quickly settled the issue to come home unchallenged. Moore was especially pleased with him, and had no hesitation in picking him for the race that will always carry more status than any other contest for three-year-old colts. PIERRE BONNARD met with defeat when a strong favourite in each of his trials at Leopardstown and therefore has a point to prove. I still think there will be more to come from the son of Camelot who has French ace Christophe Soumillon in the irons. JAMES J BRADDOCK was just too good for Pierre Bonnard in the Leopardstown Derby Trial and figures to get into the argument for Joseph O’Brien, while ITEM might prove the best of the horses trained in England following his no nonsense triumph in the Dante, which tends to be one of the best pointers to Derby success.
Prediction: 1st BENVENUTO CELLINI, 2nd James J Braddock, 3rd Pierre Bonnard, 4th Item
Race 6 No9 FOLK PAGEANT (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Rowan Scott
FOLK PAGEANT did us a good turn with her Chester triumph last week which proved her previous big priced Newmarket delivery was no fluke. From a plum draw she’s out to strike while the iron’s still hot, and she can.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No1 FURTURRA (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
FURTURRA chased home her well supported stablemate at Ripon before running well in plating company at Chester last week, where she put in her best work at the finish. She remains in a seller which does not look as strong, giving her a very good opportunity to open her account.
WORCESTER
Race 6 No6 BERTIE B (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brooks – Jockey: Richie McLernon
BERTIE B returns from a lengthy absence and though carded to start as the rank outsider might be worth a small speculative investment to get into the money.
DONCASTER
Race 5 No2 SHIPBOURNE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Frankel colt SHIPBOURNE landed some good bets on his Newbury introduction only to be anchored by a penalty when third at Kempton. His dam was top class, and with a winter behind him and back on grass we could witness an impressive performance from a horse that needs to be followed.
Race 6 No7 ARCTIC DAWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Zac Lloyd
Australian Lloyd should get a good spin out of ARCTIC DAWN, who shaped with a deal of encouragement on his Newmarket return and has been made fitter. The grey should give us a cash return racing over his optimum trip of 1400 metres.
CHEPSTOW
Race 7 No12 TOO MUCH TREVOR (Each Way)
Trainer: G Harris – Jockey: Olivia Tubb
TOO MUCH TREVOR ran well to trouble the judge here last week when drawn on the wrong part of the track. He drifted left and lost ground side the final furlong but for which he might have challenged the winner. His rider needs to be ready should he try to repeat that trait, because if keeping straight he can go well.
