Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Tuesday 07 July 2026

BRIGHTON

Race 2 No4 BETTER NATURE (Nap)
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Rob Hornby

Plenty of support followed BETTER NATURE to post at Leicester where the gelding was made plenty of use of, only to fade. I suspect he will be given more of a chance in this match up with RADAHN in a race the pair can dominate.

Race 5 No8 MIST OF TIME (Each Way)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

Time Test filly MIST OF TIME hasn’t done anything to set the pulse racing, but there was a semblance of improvement on her first run on grass at Yarmouth where she claimed a minor cheque in spite of over racing. If she can operate with the choke in today there might be some further progression, though she is very much a speculative choice.

Race 6 No2 TOO DARN GOOD
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Rob Hornby

TOO DARN GOOD finds himself in a race that’s cut up. It should turn into a tactical affair, but the gelding produced his best in three starts for Candy when third at Goodwood, where despite taking a walk in the market he finished well. He retains the cheek pieces worn for the first time that day.

PONTEFRACT

Race 2 No5 KINETIC IMPACT
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Tom Marquand

Zelzal colt KINETIC IMPACT has troubled the judge on both outings to bring an experience edge to play in this maiden for future stayers. Granted normal progression he should make a bold bid to open his account.

Race 3 No11 NEVER LET GO (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark

NEVER LET GO was a Royal Ascot winner last season, and although unable to add to her tally in five subsequent outings she’s a tempting proposition at her double figure price, having had two months to recover from a heavy defeat at Longchamp. In the best quality race of the day she can get into the shake-up

Race 4 No5 BADRI (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington- Jockey: Jason Hart

BADRI runs this course well, as illustrated by his success here last month. Following a fruitless winter campaign on the all-weather he’s clearly enjoying the return to grass, and can make this a third triumph from his last four starts.

UTTOXETER

Race 4 No5 SMUGGLERS HAVEN (Nap)
Trainer: Sara Bradstock – Jockey: Miss Lily Bradstock

A return to hurdling saw SMUGGLERS HAVEN destroy her field at Fontwell where she made all to come home unchallenged. She’s still relatively unexposed as a hurdler, and is going to be at least as effective over this longer trip. Getting onto an uncontested lead could prove the key to success.

Race 5 No5 BUXTED REEL
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard

A belated first win over hurdles could await BUXTED REEL who posted another frame finish when second at Stratford last month. He let the winner enjoy an uncontested lead on that occasion but at the same time finished clear of the remainder. This more galloping track should play to his strengths.

Race 6 No8 PRAIRIE QUEEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Sean Houlihan

Few chasers jump as accurately as PRAIRIE QUEEN, who can again do her connections proud by taking away a cheque in this two miles handicap chase. Following her clear cut Hereford success she might have done too much too soon at this course where she tired over the last and onto the run in. I expect her jockey will use to good advantage the experience gained on that occasion.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 No8 TYRANT GG (Nap)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

TYRANT GG has earned in both career starts at Kempton including when chasing home Masked Warrior in what looked a better race than this. The Mehmas colt has Oisin Murphy doing the steering and can fend off the challenge of market rival ROGUE INVINCIBLE.

Race 5 No4 NUTCRACKER
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Rossa Ryan

With a top pilot in his saddle and breaking from a plum draw, this should be the right time for NUTCRACKER to strike. He’s earned in two of his previous three visits to Dunstall Park, and after running a blinder in defeat when back on the grass at Chepstow is going to be spot on for this return to sand.