Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Ascot, Goodwood , Warwick and Newcastle on 01 May 2026.
NEWMARKET
Race 2 No4 MY LOVE IS KING
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
MY LOVE IS KING landed some good bets on his Newcastle introduction in November before reappearing to get close to a well regarded type in a blanket finish at the Newbury Spring meeting. This is a quick return to the track for the sun of Kingman, but he’s gone forward and has a good chance of toppling odds on POSEIDON’S WARRIOR.
Race 4 BETFRED JOCKEY CLUB STAKES (Group 2)
No2 EYDON
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
EYDON highlighted last year with a victory in the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury and flirted with further success at Pattern level although the majority of his races were Listed. When going to Hong Kong he was over the top, but he’s done well through the winter, and might well take the spoils as BAY CITY ROLLER needs to step up while LION’S PRIDE was ultimately well held in Newbury’s John Porter.
Race 5 No7 GOLDEN REDEMPTION (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
De Sousa’s link with GOLDEN REDEMPTION indicates the son of American stallion Medaglia D’Oro needs strong handling. His turf form since joining Balding has been impressively consistent, and he should improve from his earning effort on Polytrack at the end of March.
Race 6 No2 JEL PEPPER (Each Way)
Trainer: Oliver Cole – Jockey: Hector Crouch
The once raced CERRO BLANCO could be anything, but at much longer odds JEL PEPPER makes appeal as he was a winner here on his final 2025 start and had a good blow following his fourth on seasonal return in Listed company at Newcastle. The way he’s been working suggests he’s benefitted from that.
Race 7 No4 POWDERING (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Connor Planas
While not the most consistent of sprinters, POWDERING is a past winner over 1400 metres on the Rowley course and appears just as effective over today’s shorter trip. The Ribchester mare didn’t enjoy the best of runs through when third on her latest start at Southwell in a run that indicates she is ready to pop.
ASCOT
Race 1 No1 A BEAR AFFAIR (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
A BEAR AFFAIR added to Hannon’s good record in the Brocklesby when making no mistake in that first 2yo race of the season. This has been his target ever since, and he’s looked better than ever in his subsequent work. The Nap is likely to be preferred in the betting by Newmarket winner ADAAY OF SCARLETT whose chances were boosted when the second scored easily at Pontefract. However the last named colt will have to be special if he’s to remain unbeaten
Race 2 LONGINES SAGARO STAKES (Group 3)
No2 SWEET WILLIAM
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
Strictly on the book SWEET WILLIAM has to be the answer. He was placed in each of the Group 1s he contested for owners Normandie Stud last year, whilst taking out the Group 2 Doncaster Cup for the second year in a row. The seven-year-old met defeat in this race in 2024 and 2025 but might be more forward this time, whilst the opposition is not as strong.
Race 4 No6 JONQUIL
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Colin Keane
JONQUIL impressed with his Greenham and Celebration Mile triumphs last year and wasn’t near his best for three overseas defeats in the US and Abu Dhabi. He’s been freshened up for a first domestic run of the year, and should find the Listed assignment calmer waters. The strong traveller should have too many guns for a likely improver in REMMOOZ.
Race 7 No10 DINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Christian Howarth
Camacho has done well with DINGLE and saddled him to score three times at Newcastle and once at Kempton and Lingfield. The million dollar question is whether he can up his game on this return to turf, on which he is yet to win, as his last three ventures onto the grass have proved fruitless. However he’s been going well at home, and with that in mind I will pay to find out.
GOODWOOD
Race 2 No2 PACIFIC AVENUE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby- Jockey: Saffie Osborne
PACIFIC AVENUE backed up a promising 2025 campaign with a win and two places from as many starts in the Middle East, latterly when second in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan. He’s up against three opponents who have been off for over 200 days, and should have a fitness edge.
Race 4 No3 CREPE SUZETTE
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Tyler Heard
CREPE SUZETTE can show she’s a filly to follow in 2026 by taking out this Listed feature for the Gosdens. Her final two starts last season marked her down as an improving stayer, with a career best when in the money in the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster. She’s done well for her winter break.
WARWICK
Race 6 No5 SLIPWAY (Nap)
Trainer: James Luck – Jockey: Miss Molly Armytage
SLIPWAY made the perfect start to his career point-to-pointing win scoring at Siddington and can consolidate by following-up on this first hunter-chase start for presenter Nick Luck’s brother James.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No2 NEW YORK MINUTE (Nap)
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
It’s taken NEW YORK MINUTE a couple of outings to retain full fitness, but his earning run at Southwell is a pointer to him regaining the form that saw him win three on the bounce through the autumn.
