Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Doncaster, Newton Abbot, Beverley, and Chepstow on 03 July 2026
SANDOWN PARK
Race 1 No2 COMICAL POINT (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The addition of Ryan Moore could make a difference to COMICAL POINT and help notch him a second career success. The son of Blue Point hails from the stable that won the race 12 months ago, and shouldn’t mind dropping back to 1000 metres as a worthy favourite.
Race 5 No2 FURTHER
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: James Doyle
Since failing to get into the money in the St Leger, FURTHER has found it hard going in the main. He stayed on to grab a minor cheque in the Yorkshire Cup only to underwhelm in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown and then fail to get the trip in the Gold Cup. If that Ascot run hasn’t taken too much out of him the grey is capable of bouncing back
DONCASTER
Race 2 No8 TILANI (Nap)
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
TILANI has served his connections well with back-to-back triumphs at Yarmouth and Newbury and a very good run in defeat at Goodwood. He’s enjoyed a four week break since that latest effort and is fresh and well for a race in which he’s getting weight from the field.
Race 4 No8 BE PATIENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Oisin Orr
REDBUD SIXTEEN is afforded much respect in her bid to complete a hat-trick but BE PATIENT may represent better value on only her third career start. The daughter of French Derby winner St Mark’s Basilica popped up without being supported at Newcastle last November, and has been given plenty of time to grow into her frame.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 2 No1 KITTY’S GLANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
KITTY’S GLANCE has looked progressive since breaking her duck at Huntingdon, running well in defeat under a penalty at Hereford. She’s gone up 2lb since making the podium on her handicap debut at Worcester and possesses the overall fire power to see off these rivals.
Race 4 No3 SCHMILSSON
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
A lengthy absence shouldn’t unduly inconvenience SCHMILSSON. When scoring on chase debut at Perth 14 months ago he took to the fences like a duck to water. He underwhelmed when sent off favourite for his latest outing at Uttoxeter but that was almost a year ago, giving him the time needed to recover from a training setback.
Race 6 No5 DARING PLAN
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Lucy Gardner
DARING PLAN came good at Uttoxeter last month when unwanted in the betting. It makes him the in form horse for this long distance handicap chase in which he’s fancied to follow-up from 4lb higher.
BEVERLEY
Race 2 No2 FAST TRACK
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
FAST TRACK holds the cards in a significant class drop following her run in the Queen Mary. Although out of the money in that Ascot race the daughter of Blue Point had troubled the judge on two previous occasions, and this looks a gilt edged opportunity for her.
Race 5 No2 HATAMOTO
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
HATAMOTO has knocked on the door a couple of times including when his forcing tactics almost paid off at Ripon. Assessing today’s opposition, he might be capable of bossing the race in a similar manner, whilst this time hanging on for a deserved success.
CHEPSTOW
Race 3 No1 DR STRANGELOVE
Trainer: Oliver Cole – Jockey: Mason Paetel
DR STRANGELOVE has progressed from race to race in three outings this season. When second on his latest start at Goodwood he had a subsequent winner baying at his heels and from only 1lb higher he threatens to cause problems to paper favourite SUPREME KING.
Race 5 No5 RIVER EDGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Christopher Mason – Jockey: George Wood
Mason saddles two in this bottom level sprint handicap, and while DARKENED EDGE is shorter in the betting it may be worth chancing RIVER EDGE, who is lightly raced and open to progression. The grey needs to prove his fitness after two and a half years on the sidelines, but if consenting to settle he can get involved.
Race 7 No8 MAID IN DEVON (Nap)
Trainer: Rod Millman – Jockey: Jack Doughty
MAID IN DEVON is creeping up the weights but such is her well being right now that the completion of a hat-trick looks on the cards in the lucky last. The Sergei Prokofiev filly bolted up at Salisbury, and though 8lb higher looked good value for that. Furthermore she’s enjoyed a freshening break.
