Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Leicester, Haydock Park, and Wolverhampton on 26 April 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 1 No6 MYTHICAL MOON (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Brendan Powell
MYTHICAL MOON is second string to HMS PRESIDENT on jockey bookings but is a tempting option granted his big double figure price. A strong traveller, he put in a solid effort when third on handicap bow at Newbury and can trouble the judge in an open affair.
Race 2 No6 PIC ROC (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Having seen his jumping go to pieces at Ayr a fortnight ago, it takes a brave man to step in and back the disappointing PIC ROC, but should the seven-year-old get that part of his act sorted out he is undoubtedly over priced. His hurdling form from last season stands up to the closest inspection, while that latest debacle was his only proper failure in four starts over fences, as he overjumped on debut at Carlisle; was a good second at Newbury and suffered from false starts at Cheltenham where he couldn’t get near the front, where he needs to be.
Race 3 BET365 OAKSEY CHASE (Grade 2)
No4 PIC D’ORHY (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
After skipping Aintree, this gives PIC D’ORHY the chance to consolidate his position as the best horse at Ditcheat, though he will need to be at his best to repel a strong field headed by GAELIC WARRIOR. The Ascot specialist was recording a fifth success at that track when taking out the Ascot Chase in impressive fashion in February, and while his one visit here over fences resulted in defeat he has the athleticism to master the tricky railway fences.
Race 5 BET365 CELEBRATION CHASE (Grade 1)
No5 JONBON
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Mark Walsh
The outstanding star of the final day of the NH season, JONBON has a new pilot as he bids to put behind him an unfortunate defeat in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Walsh comes in for the plum spare ride because Nico de Boinville is injured. A bad error at halfway cooked the selection’s goose at Cheltenham, though to his credit he stayed on courageously past beaten horses to finish an honourable third. Now back at the scene of his Tingle Creek triumph in December, he should make no mistake.
Race 6 BET365 GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE
No17 TRANSMISSION (Each Way)
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
TRANSMISSION carried my money in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but got going too late to strike a blow, just missing out on the places. Away from that he brings solid form to the table and it’s interesting that he’s shown he can act on an undulating track, as all his races this season have been at Prestbury Park. This is a wide open renewal of the last big handicap chase of the season, with Willie Mullins saddling nine in his bid to clinch the trainers’ title. HIGH CLASS HERO and MINELLA COCOONER could prove the pick of them as he’s lightly raced and relatively unexposed. Outside the Closutton challenge HOLY JOE SMOKE is one that takes the eye. He is Dan Skelton’s only runner, but if successful could seal him the championship for the first time.
Prediction: 1st TRANSMISSION, 2nd High Class Hero, 3rd Holy Joe Smoke, 4th Minella Cocooner
LEICESTER
Race 6 No11 BAY BREEZE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: J P Sullivan
BAY BREEZE usually needs a run to put the edge on him and should be all the better for his midfield finish when reappearing at Thirsk. He hasn’t run here since his two-year-old days, but is definitely worth a market check.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 No7 YORKSHIRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
YORKSHIRE inched home from Blue Prince at Ripon to record a third triumph in his last four outings. Although the form has been devalued, he remains a progressive individual who can get into the shake-up.
Race 6 No1 MAELSTROM (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
MAELSTROM proved a well supported winner on his first run in a handicap at Yarmouth and can strike while the iron’s hot for top connections. The grey was an eased down winner in spite of taking a keen hold, and is strongly fancied to defy a penalty.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No12 TROPICAL HEAT (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
TROPICAL HEAT chased home a highly regarded foe on debut at Salisbury last summer on what proved her only start. She’s been given plenty of time to develop into her frame, and though poorly drawn, can go close if alert at the gate.
Race 5 No1 THREATENING (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
THREATENING was a well supported scorer on handicap bow at Southwell last week and is out to post back-to-back successes with cheek pieces added. He will appreciate a step up in trip, as so many horses from Heath House do.
Race 7 No1 APHRODITES ROCK (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Dascombe – Jockey: Luke Morris
Riyadh Gem looks like going off short for the nightcap and at a bigger price APHRODITES ROCK can cause him problems. The top weight earned at Grade 1 tracks on his last two of three starts last year, and while easy to back on each occasion, could prove a popular each way option here.
