Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from York, Newbury, and Newmarket on 15 May 2026.
YORK
Race 4 No10 PRINCESS D’ORANGE
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
O’Meara uncovered a Group class filly for owners Cheveley Park two years ago and might have another heading that way in the unbeaten PRINCESS D’ORANGE. The daughter of Ardad dominated her Beverley introduction over this 1000 metres trip and is physically forward. She could have most to fear from hat-trick seeker LOVER GIRL in a fascinating match up.
Race 5 BOODLES YORKSHIRE CUP (Group 2)
No6 RAHIEBB (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Ray Dawson
AMILOC proved himself on two continents last year, culminating in a frame finish at the Breeders’ Cup in California. He finished second in the Irish St Leger and is versatile regarding trip, and has shown he can operate effectively after a break. He can fight out the finish of this historic race with last season’s Doncaster St Leger runner-up RAHIEBB, who is just preferred. The son of Frankel made the podium in a sequence of good races last year, culminating in a narrow defeat in the final Classic in September. He’s proven over two miles, and fits the bill as a major contender for Cup honours in 2026.
Race 7 No2 PORTCULLIS
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: William Buick
The King’s PORTCULLIS was taken off his feet in the early stages of the Wood Ditton but when the penny dropped running into the Dip fairly stormed home in that maiden for unraced three-year-olds at the Craven meeting. He has an entry in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and can state his case for that Group 1 by remaining unbeaten.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No1 HAND OF GOD (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
HAND OF GOD endured a blank season when only making it to the track three times in 2025, but evidence from his comeback in Newbury’s Spring Cup indicates he could soon be back in business, and making up for lost time. After proving easy to back the five-year-old made eye catching headway before blowing up inside the final furlong. It was just a ninth career start for the selection, who though plagued with training issues is undoubtedly well handicapped.
Race 3 No7 PURE GRIT
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Rob Hornby
Balding fields a big team numerically at his local track and in this maiden PURE GRIT can put his best foot forward. The Pinatubo colt has worked well ahead of of his first run for owner Saeed Suhail, and should prove hard to beat.
Race 6 No3 ECHO OF STARS (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Cole – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
ECHO OF STARS troubled the judge on both 2025 outings at Ascot and Newmarket and attracted support before that last run in which he chased home odds-on Lyneham, with the pair pulling clear. He’s done well through the winter and has hold up specialist Spencer in the saddle. If running as well as he’s been working he should open his account.
Race 7 No7 TOUGH DATE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
TOUGH DATE was probably not as far forward as his connections thought when beating only one home on handicap debut at Windsor. He had to be chivied along and was intimidated when two rivals became involved in a bumping match in front of him. He wasn’t given a hard time through the final furlong and a half, and importantly now has a new jockey who should give him strong assistance.
NEWMARKET
Race 4 No2 O’GORMAN
Trainer: George Scott – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Sergei Prokofiev colt O’GORMAN landed some good bets on his second start at Kempton when only needing to be pushed out to beat Angela Sense. If he’s to earn a trip to Royal Ascot he will need to consolidate with another success under a 6lb penalty.
Race 5 No3 CRAZEE ICON (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Blading – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Balding equips CRAZEE ICON with a first time hood in a race where the champion jockey can bring her safe home. She was very unlucky not to score last season, had too much to do on her Newmarket reappearance and left the money behind when narrowly beaten at Windsor. This is her best chance so far and she should take care of business.
