Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Hexham, Wolverhampton, Newcastle on 02 October 2026.
ASCOT
Race 2 No4 LEARNING
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
LEARNNG has lived up to her name in three starts culminating in a career best when second to a Godolphin odds on shot and beaten just half a length. She’s proven over the 1400 metres distance and handles cut in the ground, while this race has cut up in her favour.
Race 3 No8 COCKADE
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: William Buick
COCKADE and PRINCLING run under the same ownership but with so few miles on her clock the first named filly attracts my attention. A daughter of Pinatubo, she is a winner and has earned in all three starts whilst looking handily weighted for this first handicap assignment.
Race 4 No4 INFRAAD (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
It was hard not to be impressed by the way INFRAAD made it three wins from his last four outings on a step up to 2800 metres at York where he was in total command at the business end of proceedings. He takes another step up the class ladder into this Listed race, but should be up to the task in hand.
Race 6 No2 CRANACHAN
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
CRANACHAN put in a career best when storming to a six lengths triumph at Chester for which he’s incurred a 9lb hike in the ratings. As the only three-year-old in the race he can continue his progression though this is a far tougher assignment given any one of the six can win.
HEXHAM
Race 1 No5 DARK TIDE RISING
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Kielan Woods
DARK TIDE RISING benefitted from enterprising tactics when spread eagling his field in a Worcester bumper, and now plies his trade in a first run over hurdles. While he might have been flattered by his margin of victory he remains a smart prospect, and can take care of business at the main expense of RIDE LIKE A GIRL.
Race 3 No1 MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Back from a break and racing at this course for the first time are factors that can help MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE successfully concede weight all round in this handicap hurdle. The selection appears set to remain hurdling and with his stable amongst the winners can show he’s not making the long journey from Gloucestershire just for the goodness of his health.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No2 TIGER BEETLE (Each Way)
Trainer: T Faulkner – Jockey: Zoe Lewis
It’s a longtime since TIGER BEETLE saw the winners’ enclosure but with recent signs of a revival he can run well and at a working man’s’ price.
Race 2 No9 CLASSIC BELLINI
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
Two offspring of Belardo can dominate this restricted maiden, with CLASSIC BELLINI just preferred to ANNA BELARDO. the selection hails from a stable going through a hot streak and with an earning run n her second outing at Wetherby under her belt is ready to open her account.
Race 6 No5 QUIET SUMMER (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
QUIET SUMMER isn’t one of the stars at Park House Stables but her trainer seems to have found a good opening for the Isfahan colt in this stayers’ handicap. On a first run in this type of race and back over a longer trip he can take advantage of big weight concessions from the three older horses in the field.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No2 SON OF A FISH (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
SON OF A FISH left it too late at Redcar, but nevertheless has made it an earning experience in both nursery outings. The Territories colt now reverts to 1400 metres in a race he’s capable of winning.
Race 8 No6 BEAUTY GENERATION ( Each Way)
Trainer: Ross Burdon – Jockey: Jason Hart
For a horse that’s won three times and reserves his best form for the AW BEAUTY GENERATION could reward small stakes at the end of a tricky card for punting, in which playing the Place Accumulator could be the better way to winning.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
2, 4 x 3 x 11 x 11, 4, 3, 7 x 7, 1, 2 x 6, 1, 3 x 4, 6, 5
R216
