Neil Morrice’s best bets and tips – Saturday, 18 April 2026

NEWBURY

Race 1 DUBAI DUTY FREE STAKES (Group 3)

No12 SUKANYA (Each Way)

Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert

Even though she is not a straightforward ride, SUKANYA is capable of getting a slice of the action in this 1000 Guineas trial. She troubled the judge in a Goodwood Group 3 and a Listed race at Leopardstown, and looked unlucky in running in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot, and the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood. She can enter calculations en route to a tilt at the Irish 1000 Guineas. In a very open affair ZOOMING can also get into the argument and has scope to do well as a three-year-old.

Race 2 WATERSHIP DOWN TOO DARN HOT GREENHAM STAKES (Group 3)

No8 ZAVATERI (Nap)

Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop

ZAVATERI brings the best form from last year to the table for this 2000 Guineas trial. The chestnut posted back-to-back Group 2 triumphs as well as taking out the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh and stayed on well up the rising ground when a two and a half lengths fourth to the ill fated GEWAN on his final start in the Dewhurst at Newmarket. That overall high level of form makes him the one to beat against ‘talking horse’ ALBERT ENSTEIN, who flopped on his first run of the season in the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh and has it to prove.

Race 3 DUBAI DUTY FREE FINEST SURPRISE JOHN PORTER STAKES (Group 3)

No3 AL AASY

Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand

AL AASY is a past winner of this historic race and a four times course winner whose chance will be boosted if there’s a good pace for him to aim at. The nine-year-old has to be delivered with precision timing, and on this first run back he can get the better of LION’S PRIDE and PRIDE OF ARRAS who crossed swords in Bahrain last November when the latter had the edge. Those placings may well be confirmed although a bigger threat to my selection might emerge from CONVERGENT, who took out the Group 2 Prix Du Conseil at Longchamp last autumn, and looks a top middle distance prospect for Karl Burke.

Race 4 No18 NIKOVO (Each Way)

Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Marquand

URBAN LION did us a good turn with his success in the Lincoln and might have nabbed the pick of the draw breaking from gate 26. He ran well in this 12 months ago but has gone up in the weights, while this is a stronger race than Doncaster. BACK IN BLACK looks very solid for James Fanshawe after troubling the judge in a couple of good handicaps last year. He’s a past winner here and has few miles on his racing clock. ROGUE DIPLOMAT has a couple of inches to find with Urban Lion from the Lincoln and must go well, while HAND OF GOD is surely capable of better than he showed in an interrupted 2025 campaign. At a big price I think NIKOVO can figure. He’s far from an obvious choice for a frame finish, but if getting the breaks from his hold up style of racing can upstage his odds for a big upset.

Prediction: 1st NIKOVO, 2nd Back In Black, 3rd Urban Lion, 4th Rogue Diplomat

Race 6 No7 TURTY TREE

Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: James Doyle

TURTY TREE couldn’t justify the strong support that forced him to start odds on from odds against at Doncaster. However, he ruined his chance that day by hanging, and if the race has taught him something he can deliver now tackling a slightly longer trip.

AYR

Race 1 No4 SANS BRUT (Nap)

Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden

Both PALACIO and SANS BRUT like to get on with it and there’s a danger they could cut each others throats. That said, Sans Brut is the more likely to see the race run as he likes, and following his valiant attempt to win the same race at Aintree for the third time in succession last week can cash in on this quick reappearance.

Race 3 CORAL SCOTTISH CHAMPION HURDLE LIMITED HANDICAP

No1 TUTTI QUANTI

Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden

For a horse that has to lead, TUTTI QUANTi was robbed of his chance in the Champion Hurdle, first by a false start and then the starter’s decision to let the field go when he was still out of line and proving reluctant. He had previously run his Betfair Hurdle rivals ragged at Newbury, and can now show his ability when on the lead. At much longer prices both SECRET SQUIRREL and WELSH CHARGER could have a say, and are worth inclusion in all exactas and trifectas.

Race 5 CORAL SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE

No15 KIM ROQUE (Each Way)

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: JJ Slevin

KIM ROQUE has been all the rage in the ante post market for the day’s highlight and it’s no surprise granted how well the six-year-old shaped when coming from a long way back to claim a place in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. If enjoying this longer trip he is weighted to finish in the thick of things and he gets the vote. QUEBECOIS likes this better ground and showed improvement for a longer trip when placed in the Ultima at the Festival. MONTREGARD is another for whom the better ground is a plus, while he wasn’t stopping at the end of his Ascot win in February and should handle the longer trip. Local hope KING OF ANSWERS was never closer than at the finish in the National Hunt Chase and has the scope and staying power to make an impact.

Prediction: 1st KIM ROQUE, 2nd King Of Answers, 3rd Quebecois, 4th Montregard

THIRSK

Race 2 No11 INISHBEG (Nap)

Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Kevin Stott

INISHBEG left the cash behind when beaten by a very good prospect at Newcastle. Now back on turf the Ghaiyyath colt is strongly fancied to recoup the losses.

Race 4 No11 WOODSTOCK (Each Way)

Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason

WOODSTOCK reserves his best form for Newbury, but remains close to home for this first run of the season in which he is well drawn, and can get into the shake up.

Race 6 No5 NIGHTSINWHITESATIN (Each Way)

Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez

NIGHTSINWHITESATIN had the distinction of spotting two successes and five podium finishes from her eight outings in 2025. The grey returns with a good opportunity to consolidate.

NOTTINGHAM

Race 1 No3 BRIGHLEE (Nap)

Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Marco Ghiani

BRIGHLEE was always looked upon as a filly that would do better as a three-year-old. Those words from her trainer should be respected as she reappears in a race that might not take much winning.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)