Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Ascot, Redcar, and Southwell on 03 October 2026.
NEWMARKET
Race 2 No2 NIGHT IN VEGAS
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
NIGHT IN VEGAS is making a habit of plundering the back end Sales races and can add this 200,000 prize to the equally valuable contests in which he triumphed at Newmarket and Doncaster. The son of Night Of Thunder is able to travel close to the pace and quicken at the business end, and I see no reason that he can’t stage a repeat to put the icing on the cake of a bountiful season for his owners Kennet Valley.
Race 3 BET MGM SUN CHARIOT STAKES (Group 1)
No1 BLUE BOLT
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Colin Keane
Since overpowering Precise in the Falmouth Stakes here in July, BLUE BOLT has dominated this division with additional Group 1 triumphs in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville and the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and progressively increased her dominance over her Coolmore-owned rival. She produced a telling change of gear to quickly put the race to bed in Ireland and now faces a more straightforward task, having frightened off the bulk of the opposition.
Race 6 No3 ROYAL QUEST (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Colin Keane
Even though he is yet to win ROYAL QUEST appeals to me as one of the nicest juvenile colts to have run this season and a horse that could progress into a Derby contender next year. He was easy to back, but the last to come off the bridle when fourth in his Doncaster introduction. I have a strong suspicion he will leave that eye taking effort a long way behind in opening his account in a race that’s cut up.
ASCOT
Race 3 BET MGM CUMBERLAND LODGE STAKES (Group 3)
No 1 AL AASY (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Hold up specialist AL AASY looked as good as ever when winning the Grand Prix de Deauville courtesy of his hallmark late bid, and goes to post in a drop in grade with his tail up. Age doesn’t appear to be catching up with the gelding who is a Listed winner on this course and seems to be benefitting from the select campaign afforded him by his trainer.
Race 4 JOHN GUEST RACING BENGOUGH STAKES (Group 3)
No8 DIVISION
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
The same trainer-jockey combination can strike with DIVISION for whom this would be a thoroughly deserved first success of 2026. The Kingman colt finished third in the Group1 Jubilee here in June and more recently second in the Group 1 Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville which is the best form available and makes him a worthy favourite.
Ground conditions are in his favour and he can parry the challenge of the lightly raced HIDDEN FORCE.
Race 5 No10 MEZCALA
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Key to MEZCALA repeating his Royal Ascot triumph in June is whether Bass can keep the gelding covered up and uncork him with precision timing. The combination travelled best at Doncaster whilst seeing plenty of daylight, and though leading briefly at the distance weakened in the final 100 metres. It’s a question of this horse being anchored but not too far off the pace, as was the case in his other visit to this course in July.
REDCAR
Race 4 WILLIAM HILL TWO YEAR OLD TROPHY (Listed)
No4 SATELLITE OF LOVE (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
SATELLITE OF LOVE put in a respectable run to finish just out of the money behind the irrepressible Sun Goddess at York before chasing home Night In Vegas in another Sales race at Doncaster. On only a fifth career start this dual scorer looks to hold the aces required to lift Redcar’s marquee race.
Race 5 No8 OOLONG POOBONG (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Connor Beasley
This Listed race features a number of horses that are stepping out of handicaps or in the case of WITNESS STAND dropping down from three solid efforts in Group company.
On form the five-year-old holds the cards, but as the outsider of the field there could be better value in the shape of OOLONG POOBONG. The daughter of Make Believe has thrived since gaining a first triumph of the year at Thirsk, and as an improving filly in the autumn could go forward.
Race 7 No6 NORTHERN BRAVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
Not for the first time this season NORTHERN BRAVE made a good fist of it at Hamilton where after fighting off a couple of challenges he was pipped on the post. It was a fourth podium finish in a row for the selection who has built up a good understanding with his jockey.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No2 NOSTRUM (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Andrew Mullen
NOSTRUM dictated until the final strides against Walsingham at Musselburgh on Wednesday and is out quickly to try to go one better. Regarded as a Classic prospect in his early career, the six-year-old is drawn to attack and could prove hard to catch.
Race 8 No4 BLUE TULIP (Nap)
Trainer: William Muir – Jockey: Jack Doughty
Lambourn raider BLUE TULIP has shown by troubling the judge on consecutive outings since scoring at Wolverhampton that she’s coping with a 4lb weights rise.
It augurs well for her taking out the nightcap at the main expense of ASTRID.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
3, 9 x 2, 8, 5 x 7 x 6, 1 x 4, 6, 10, 2, 1 x 1, 5 x 4
R120
