Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday, 05 September 2026

HAYDOCK PARK

Race 1 BETFAIR BACKS OPINIONS SUPERIOR MILE (Group 3)

No2 DANCING GEMINI (Nap)

Trainer: Roger Teal – Jockey: William Buick

Since his unlucky defeat in the French Guineas and sixth placing in the Epsom Derby DANCING GEMINI has been campaigned as a Group 1 horse with podium finishes in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Lockinge (twice) and the Prix Jacques Le Marois. His form has taken a dip in recent races at Ascot and York but this represents calmer waters for the talented entire, who can outclass his foes.

Race 4 No1 AEGEAN PRINCE

Trainer: Charlie Appleby- Jockey: William Buick

AEGEAN PRINCE stands apart from his opponents in this Class2 handicap courtesy of a short career with few miles on his racing clock. The Kempton and Ascot scorer is having a first outing since a narrow defeat in a Listed race at Deauville where the principals pulled clear. He’s endured some training issues, but Charlie Appleby will have the Dubawi gelding ready to put his best foot forward on ground that should suit.

Race 5 BETFAIR SPRINT CUP (Group 1)

No6 KIND OF BLUE

Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: James Doyle

This year’s sprint division isn’t especially strong and in Haydock’s biggest day of the Flat season running your pen through any of the nine contenders isn’t easy. Course form can count for a lot when the ground softens here, and that’s my reason for opting for KIND OF BLUE to take the spoils. He’s finished second in the last two renewals and has been selectively campaigned this season. Having had a break since Royal Ascot he’s fresh and well in himself. Hungerford Stakes winner COPPULL should be suited by a return to 1200 metres on a course where he was a late scratch from the Temple Stakes back in May. He can account for a slice of the cake while MARVELMAN should also handle a drop back in trip as he loves to get his toe in. The times for the final 200 metres on Friday were slow, which is good news for Andrew Balding’s runner.

Prediction: 1st KIND OF BLUE, 2nd Marvelman, 3rd Coppull

Race 7 No9 RHOSCOLYN

Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope

RHOSCOLYN regularly carries out the roll of being a captain of industry at this time of the season, and such has been the case with the gelding in 2026. In three outings in the space of nine days he finished last at Chester, eighth at Goodwood and second at Epsom. The latest evidence is that he’s ready to win again, with the heavy ground just what the doctor ordered.

ASCOT

Race 1 No2 NORTHERN EXPRESS (Each Way)

Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds

More than two years since his success in the International here NORTHERN EXPRESS can advertise his liking for the straight 1400 metres and with a new jockey in his saddle. The chestnut paid the price for that success to go winless for two years, but recent evidence suggests he’s back on a workable mark, as demonstrated with his York triumph in July and near miss at Thirsk. THUNDER CALL will start at prohibitive odds for a race of this nature and in fairness to the Pinatubo colt he brings the best form to the table. He finished second in the Shergar Cup Sprint over 1200 metres when doing his best work at the finish having earlier in the year bagged a Class2 at York. A late gamble on GHOST MODE came unstuck at Goodwood but there’s every chance Andrew Balding’s colt can bounce back.

Prediction: 1st NORTHERN EXPRESS, 2nd Thunder Call, 3rd Ghost Mode

Race 4 No1 GAVRIEL (Nap)

Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin

Frankel colt GAVRIEL is fascinating in this switch to handicapping and should make short work of his foes. When beaten by Najidi Storm at Kempton he was only denied close home with the principals pulling clear, whilst this 400 metres longer trip is sure to play to his strengths. It’s only a fourth career start for the Nap, who is bred to handle the easy conditions.

Race 7 No2 FLUORESCENSE

Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Oisin Orr

FLUORESCENCE can justify the long journey from Middleham by taking out the nightcap. Since being dropped in class she’s raised her game and was a decisive scorer at Pontefract after receiving on course support. Her stable has enjoyed a bountiful summer, and by winning this the daughter of Twilight Son can add to it.

KEMPTON PARK

Race 2 No4 NIKOVO (Each Way)

Trainer: Michael Herrington- Jockey: Oisin Murphy

Murphy has experience of riding NIKOVO whose trainer did us a good turn with Southwell scorer Papa Cocktail on Thursday. The selection is of the same ilk in that he needs holding up for a late run and the champ knows how to get the best out of him, as was the case when the gelding gained a deserved success at Newmarket last time. He’s demonstrating that he’s as effective on grass as he is on sand, but this return to Polytrack from a plum draw should again see him in the shake up.

Race 3 WILLIAM HILL SEPTEMBER STAKES (Group 3)

No7 WARRANT HOLDER

Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette

This race has taken some twists and turns through the week with peoples’ favourite CONSTITUTION HILL contracting in price. The harsh reality however is that the former Champion Hurdle winner has only won two Flat novices and the form from those races taken some heavy knocks. The nine-year-old would need to improve a stone to win this, and if we look away from the hot favourite GETHIN the value probably lies with WARRANT HOLDER in the colours of the King. John Gosden’s gelding brings a very good AW record to the party, won well at York and again when beaten at Royal Ascot and is better than he showed on a return to the Knavesmire last time.

Race 4 WILLIAM HILL SIRENIA STAKES (Group 3)

No3 MOONRISE (Nap)

Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

Course winner MOONRISE carries a penalty for her success in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes last time but the daughter of Churchill can defy it. Confidence is tempered by her high draw, but if Murphy can get her out and across she should have the legs of the unexposed TAWAKAL.

Race 6 No7 MAJESTIC (Each Way)

Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez

Veteran and former Cambridgeshire winner MAJESTIC put in a solid enough effort when troubling the judge at Thirsk to indicate there could still be a tune to be played out of him. He’s only a speculative selection, but has been in good form at home.

THIRSK

Race 4 No1 OOLONG POOBONG (Nap)

Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Connor Beasley

With few miles on the clock OOLONG POOBONG commands abundant respect on just a second outing of the season. She ran creditably on seasonal return when coming from a long way back to finish third in a fillies’ handicap at the York Ebor Festival. If she can progress from that she has every chance of taking the spoils.

NEWCASTLE

Race 5 No2 PERSIAN SPIRIT (Nap)

Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Sam James

Also from the Bethell stable, and of the same ilk, PERSIAN SPIRIT can make a winning start from it. She brings good form to the table and can show she’s improved for a change of scenery.