Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Ascot, Chester, and York on 11 July 2026
NEWMARKET JULY DAY 3
Race 5 AL BASTI EQUIWORLD JULY CUP (Group 1)
No7 SATONO REVE (Nap)
Trainer: Norifumi Hori – Christophe Lemaire
Japan’s top sprinter SATONO REVE gave a good account at Royal Ascot from which he can build in this valuable and prestigious Group 1. He is without Ryan Moore, who is committed to MISSION CENTRAL, but Lemaire is a more than useful bedfellow to the Nap, having ridden him in his homeland. ALMERAQ proved his master at Ascot when arriving with a scything run to get up in the final strides, but this very different course could suit SATONO REVE better, and enable him to turn the tables. Mission Central steps up to 1200 metres after his worthy triumph in the King Charles III Stakes and is respected for Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore, whilst VENETIAN SUN grabbed Group 1 glory in the Commonwealth Cup and appeals as a major threat to all, granted the way she travels and quickens.
Prediction: 1st SATONO REVE, 2nd Venetian Sun, 3rd Almeraq, 4th Mission Central
Race 6 No5 NIKOVO (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
NIKOVO appeals as a strong win and place entity in this consolation race for the Bunbury Cup. As a hold up horse he always requires some luck in running, but recent efforts suggest he’s progressing, and a return to 1400 metres under the champ could prove just what the doctor ordered.
ASCOT
Race 2 JUDDMONTE SUMMER MILE (Group 2)
No1 NO LUNCH (Nap)
Trainer: Christophe Ferland – Jockey: Maxime Guyon
NO LUNCH brings an impressive winning sequence to the table for a trainer who always needs respecting with his runners in England. Ferland gave consideration to pointing his charge at a valuable all-weather contest at Newcastle only to have a change of heart and opting to wait for this highlight. It’s a decision that can be rewarded.
Race 3 No7 RISING TIGER
Trainer: Andrew Baldng – Jockey: Colin Keane
RISING TIGER skipped an engagement earlier in the week to wait for this restricted novice, and the move can pay off. He will have learned plenty from his first visit to the track and has been working with aplomb ahead of this second start.
Race 6 No6 ROSA INGLESA (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Kaiya Fraser
ROSA INGLESA is a name to conjure with following her good earning run here last month. She is fairly treated to suggest she will be in the mix again although this is admittedly a warm contest.
CHESTER
Race 1 No2 DREAM VEGA (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
There’s no wonder that DREAM VEGA side stepped what looked a tricky affair earlier in the week to wait for this fillies’ maiden in which she enjoys a plum draw two off the fence. She would have engaged with a couple of previous winners had she headed for Yarmouth, and there’s nothing of their ability in today’s field, making her the best bet on the card.
Race 4 No9 CRAZEE ICON
Trainer: Andrew Blading – Jockey: Jason Watson
CRAZEE ICON’s previous visit to Chester last season resulted in a horror show in failing to get a run, when she was blocked on more than one occasion and failed to get up by a paper thin margin. It’s taken the Sixties Icon filly a few runs this year to taste victory, but now that has happened she takes a ring of confidence to post in a race where she’s receiving weight from her opponents.
YORK
Race 3 No13 MISS ATTITUDE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Fast ground is essential for MISS ATTITUDE who should bounce off this surface under a jockey who was aboard for her career best effort when landing a Listed sprint at Deauville last summer. The mare arrived with a late charge but too late to make an impact in the King Charles III Stakes at Ascot and now finds herself in calmer waters than for that Group 1.
Race 4 No17 CASTLE STUART (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Barry McHugh
CASTLE STUART has been a slow burner this season but indicated with an earning run last time that he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways. This is a tight knit handicap but he’s run well here in the past, and should again get into the shake up.
Race 6 No3 EPIC POET (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
EPIC POET put in a seasonal best here back in the spring, and though unable to build on it can gain a deserved first win of the season in a race that will play to his strengths the faster they go in the early stages. He needs to be delivered late.
SALISBURY
Race 1 No2 DARK SUN (Nap)
Trainer: James Bennett – Jockey: M Slater
Bargain basement purchase DARK SUN opened her account when finding a smart change of gear to score decisively at Bath. The success should have instilled confidence into the grey, who under a capable pilot can follow up.
