Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 04 July 2026

SANDOWN PARK

Race 1 CORAL CHARGE (Group 3)

No1 GETREADYTORUMBLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez

In selecting GETREADYTORUMBLE for this sizzling opener to Eclipse day I’m putting a line through each of his last two starts. The grey was drawn on the wrong side of the track when Haydock’s Temple Stakes was switched to a different strip of ground, whilst in the King Charles III Stakes at Ascot he completely blew the start, and was also badly drawn. His previous effort when an unlucky in running third to Mission Central at Naas is very good form, and if repeated good enough for him to win this.

Race 2 No15 TRIBAL CHIEF (Each Way)

Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

TRIBAL CHIEF and BEAGLE BAY are the horses that interest me most in this good betting heat. Beagle Bay is attempting to hunt down a hat-trick but TRIBAL CHIEF has acquitted himself with credit in two well contested races this season and arrives as a fresh horse. He troubled the judge at both Doncaster and Ascot, and following a two month break goes to post for a stable doing very well with its select number of runners, and with an in form jockey doing the steering.

Race 4 CORAL-ECLIPSE STAKES (Group 1)

No7 HAWK MOUNTAIN (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Aidan O’Brien is odds-on to take out the crown jewel of Sandown’s season with one of his three contenders but whether that horse is Ryan Moore’s pick remains to be seen. Moore got it wrong when deserting Precise in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and I have a hunch his mount CONSTITUTION RIVER might find HAWK MOUNTAIN too hot to handle. Only threequarter of a length separated them at the end of the French Derby with A BOY NAMED SUSIE another two lengths back in fourth, in what proved a clean sweep for the Irish at Chantilly. But at their respective prices HAWK MOUNTAIN is more attractive. He has a similar profile to his esteemed stablemate and I would rather take 11-2 about him than 6-5 for the favourite. Whatever happens I don’t think there will be much in it, while GETHIN deserves a mention on the back of his excellent run against Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes here in May, one which makes him a danger to all if he can perform to the same level, though it’s a big ‘if’.

Prediction: 1st HAWK MOUNTAIN, 2nd Constitution River, 3rd Gethin

Race 6 No7 BARBURY BOY
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan

BARBURY BOY hails from a stable enjoying a purple patch with its middle distance handicappers. Although overturned when starting odds on at Haydock that was his only blemish in three 2026 outings, and he was always doing enough when edging home from Gatehouse on his latest outing at Nottingham, when the principals pulled clear.

NEWMARKET

Race 2 No5 LOPEO (Each Way)
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Hector Crouch

LOPEO has run with credit on both starts this year at Doncaster, first behind the well regarded Al Azd and then when chasing home Any Which Way. He is a strong stayer with few miles on his racing clock, and more than capable of improving past these rivals in an admittedly competitive heat.

Race 3 BETWAY LANCASHIRE OAKS (Group 2)

No6 TIFFANY (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris

TIFFANY brings very good form to the table for this prestigious race switched to HQ because of drainage problems on the track at Haydock. A select 2025 campaign saw her win a Group 2 in Germany, finish third in the Distaffers’ Group 1 at Ascot on Champions Day and second in a Group 1 on a return to Germany in November. It was only by a short head that she was denied by the smart Rabbit’s Foot when returning at Chantilly last month, and this is in many respects a move into calmer waters.

Race 4 No2 PLAGE DE HAVRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson

PLAGE DE HAVRE attracted plenty of support before his withdrawal from Royal Ascot owing to ground concerns. He now attempts to repeat his 2025 triumph in this historic Old Newton Cup, which switches from Haydock to Headquarters whilst repairs on the first named course are completed. He should be primed for a massive effort following his eye taking run at York, where the Saeed Suhail-owned gelding was only found wanting in the final 100 yards. He represents top connections, and appeals as one of the best betting propositions of the day.

LEICESTER

Race 4 No6 Q T PIE (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Dascombe – Jockey: William Carson

Q T PIE skipped an opportunity last week and his wait for this race run on suitably faster ground should be rewarded. The Nap ran a cracker in defeat on her first start for Dascombe at Goodwood where she was easy to back, and she should go forward for it.

BEVERLEY

Race 4 No2 AL AASY (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Cieren Fallon

AL AASY is the class act in this Listed feature on a very rare appearance north of the Trent. The Newbury specialist is in new territory for a class drop that should see him return to winning ways, as this track with its stiff finish will allow him to sit in behind before pouncing late.

Race 7 No6 HOOD WINK
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane

HOOD WINK numbers just one success at Wetherby to his bow, but the blinkered gelding is capable if in the mood of adding to that tally today. While there are only seven runners in the field there should be plenty of pace on, meaning his rider can find cover.

NOTTNGHAM

Race 7 No3 TIME TURNER (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan

TIME TURNER probably lost more ground when blowing the start than the distance he was beaten by when fourth at Musselburgh last time. He’s been dropped 1lb, and granted no repeat of that hiccup can gain compensation as the only bet on this card.

CARLISLE

Race 3 No7 BARLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Faye McManoman

The time is ripe for BARLEY to come good off bottom weight in this 1600 metres handicap with a stiff uphill finish. He’s going to post with everything in his favour on terms of his current form, ground conditions and the draw, and granted any luck in running (as a closer) he should get the job done.

Race 6 No2 THISTLE NIL
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Lauren Young

THISTLE NIL left previous runnings behind when opening his account on soft ground in an Ayr maiden. It might not have been much of a race, but he’s the one that’s an unknown quantity in a switch to handicaps company. Another Investment can fill the flip side of the exacta.