Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday, 19 September 2026

NEWBURY

Race 1 DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AUGUST WORLD TROPHY STAKES (Group 3)

No3 REDORANGE (Each Way)

Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez

Cox has a very good record with his top sprinters at his local course and in REDORANGE he could well provide the answer to a fiercely contested sprint. The compact individual brings Listed winning form to the table from York in July, and while a tad out of his depth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe back at the Knavesmire that was a funny race that American horse Bacio totally dominated. It was nevertheless a fair effort from my selection to run on well at the finish after getting hampered, and he can now up his game.

Race 3 DUBAI DUTY FREE MILL REEF STAKES (Group 2)

No3 CUT A DASH (Each Way)

Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Jamie Spencer

The unbeaten Gimcrack winner ARAPAHO GOLD is one of the best northern-trained juveniles we’ve seen in years, and while he could add this Group 2 to his CV there’s value against him in the shape of CUT A DASH. His fourth on the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot reads well, while he gave it a good shot against budding French star Alec Toi in a Group 3 at Deauville from which he’s returned home in good order and worked well. His price of around 20-1 doesn’t reflect his chance of winning this.

Race 6 No3 THE FINGAL RAVEN (Nap)

Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Jockey: William Carver

I’ve had THE FINGAL RAVEN on my radar for a while and hope this is D-Day for the four-year-old. He enjoyed a good winter in Dubai where he took out an all-aged race in January, and since his UK return in June has steadily progressed with a good run to chase home handicap snip Thunder Call at Ascot a clear indication that he’s ready to win again.

AYR

Race 1 No2 NORTHERN EXPRESS (Each Way)

Trainer: Michael Dods- Jockey: Paul Mulrennan

Now down to a mark only 1lb higher than he last won from, NORTHERN EXPRESS can give us a good run for our money in a very open affair. The chestnut likes York but has run well here, and has the right jockey doing the steering on ground that will suit.

Race 3 No11 HAVANA BLUE (Each Way)

Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: David Egan

Camacho has HAVANA BLUE popping his corks for this Ayr Gold Cup consolation race. The grey has improved with every run in eight starts this season, following up a tenacious Newmarket success at Class4 level with a comfortable delivery in an Ascot Class2. He is clearly a horse in the zone, and might prove a more reliable choice than the undoubtedly well treated TOYOTOMI whose last three efforts are better than they look on paper.

Race 4 LADBROKES ‘NEW CUSTOMERS GET 50-1 OLD FIRM OFFER’ FIRTH OF CLYDE STAKES (Group 3)

No4 ETONNANTE ( Each Way)

Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee

There could be some value in this fillies’ race in ETONNANTE who returned to winning ways with a convincing win on heavy ground at Haydock. A winner at Ripon earlier in the season and having just a fourth career start today, she’s capable of making everything in this field know they’ve been in a fight.

Race 5 LADBROKES AYR GOLD CUP HANDICAP

No3 ARAMRAM (Each Way)

Ttainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Joe Leavy

The big betting extravaganza of the day and Scotland’s most cherished race has a very open look to it, but at his massive price I’m keen to get involved in ARAMRAM. The Blue Point entire goes to post off the back of a select campaign garnered around his need for some cut in the ground. He started with a fine win the Cammidge Trophy (Listed) at Doncaster before finishing second in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. While not doing as well at York or Royal Ascot he was drawn on the wrong side of the course when just out of the money in Ripon’s Great St Wilfrid and wasn’t disgraced in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup last time. He brings an element of class to the table and looks over priced. With his stable in rude health BINHAREER needs respecting following his earning run in a Group 3 at Newbury. DANCE IN THE STORM ran well when pulled back to 1200 metres at York and will surely arrive late under Oisin Murphy. She’s a major player for an owner/trainer combination in fine form. RED SPELLS DANGER couldn’t back up his smooth Shergar Cup triumph at York but he’s capable of bouncing back after being ignored in the betting.

Prediction: 1st ARAMRAM, 2nd Dance In The Storm, 3rd Binhareer, 4th Red Spells Danger

Race 6 No1 AMIR LEHAB (Nap)

Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

On a day of very competitive action a bet worth waiting for is AMIR LEHAB. The No Nay Never colt wore a sheepskin noseband in the Champagne Trial at Doncaster where he travelled beautifully and led briefly inside the final furlong only to be re pressed and overtaken by Quest For Stars. It was a step in the right direction and he’s now fully tuned to open his account.

NEWMARKET

Race 6 No4 PERCY SHELLEY

Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Callum Shepherd

This trial for the Cesarewitch has cut up and one that can take advantage is PERCY SHELLEY. The former French trained gelding doesn’t win very often but has a canny knack of getting into the money. With only seven starters here we are however looking for the win, and if his pilot can produce him late he’s more than capable of delivering.

Race 7 No4 HUMPHREY (Nap)

Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin

HUMPHREY cost his supporters dear for the second time in as many starts when third to Kokbastau over a mile and a half at Southwell where he still looked green. The son of Pinatubo has shown plenty at home however, and should be backed to recoup the losses on this switch back to grass.

CHESTER

Race 4 No3 KIRKDALE (Nap)

Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald

KIRKDALE’S defeat at the hands of Papa Cocktail at Southwell wasn’t done any favours when the winner was well beaten earlier in the week, but an examination of the gelding’s CV makes him a big player in this competitive sprint. Southwell was his first run since posting back-to-back AW wins in the spring, and he’s likely to step up on it.

Race 6 No3 BLUE PRINCE (Each Way)

Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: John Egan

BLUE PRINCE carded his last success at this course and has become a regular visitor to the Roodee. The turning track suits the racing style of this hold up specialist who likes getting his feet into the ground and enjoys the luxury of a plum draw three off the fence in the 1400 metres contest.

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 No3 FAIRYDALE (Each Way)

Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman

FAIRYDALE has been a work in progress but I fancy Easterby can get a tune out of her tonight as this is her first run on the all-weather after twelve straight losses on turf. It’s interesting that her latest defeat by the progressive Niffler at Catterick saw her raise her game in the visor which is retained.

Race 7 No4 MELISSA HONEY (Nap)

Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Mark Winn

With three successes from her last five outings MELISSA HONEY is proving another advertisement for the skills of Herrington with sprint handicappers. The Showcasing filly can add to her laurels and make it a first career win on the all-weather.