Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming from Bath, Southwell, Plumpton and Rasen on 05 April 2026.
BATH
Race 1 No9 ROGUE REBELLION
Trainer: Ron Harris – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
ROGUE REBELLION can kick Bath’s new season off with a win from bottom weight in this sprint in which the Ardad colt has a very good draw. On debut for his trainer he can back up a couple of good efforts on the all-weather, which included a success at Lingfield.
Race 3 No7 MISS ATTITUDE (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
MISS ATTITUDE achieved her career highlight when ridden to success by Hornby at Deauville last summer. The powerful mare was smuggled into that race before swooping to conquer, and similar tactics may well be employed here. The six-year-old is all the better for her first run back at Southwell and this Listed contest is well within her compass. Her claims will be stronger if the weather remains dry.
Race 5 No6 COLOURBAND
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Harry Davies
COLOURBAND brings the best form to the table in this novice for staying types, and if picking up from where he left off last year can take care of business. His best run when second to King’s Trail at Kempton has been franked and any price north of evens today would appear attractive.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No3 BLUE MANTLE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Jason Hart
It was by just a short head that BLUE MANTLE was foiled on his return to action and on only a second career start at Newcastle. He’s going to be right on his mettle with the benefit of that race underneath him, and can open his account for a stable amongst the winners.
Race 5 No5 SOAMES FORSYTE (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
Herrington fires a twin attack at this race, and while DREAM ILLUSION is a player in her own right, stablemate SOAMES FORSYTE is preferred. The seven-year-old is a five times AW winner, and when fourth over the course and distance last time was only denied in a blanket finish.
Race 6 No8 DESERT BELLE
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
DESERT BELLE is by Derby winner Masar out of a very useful mare and will be cherry ripe following a near miss on her racecourse debut at Lingfield. In the famous colours of the Cheveley Park Stud she can open her account.
PLUMPTON
Race 3 No1 SHALFA (Each Way)
Trainer: Lydia Richards – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
Dual purpose mare SHALFA has troubled the judge in two of her four races under Rules, and although burdened with top weight is one I’m interested in. A four times scorer at Brighton, she’s right at home on the Sussex circuit and now in a handicap can put her best foot forward.
Race 5 No2 MONDO MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Caoilin Quinn
The grandly titled Sussex Champion Hurdle should fall to MONDO MAN, who arrives on the back of a deserved success in the Imperial Cup. That Sandown race is one of the most competitive handicaps run in the calendar, and granted the Nap had earlier breezed home over this course and distance he should outclass his opponents.
MARKET RASEN
Race 1 No6 TREAD CAREFULLY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
TREAD CAREFULLY was bowling along in the lead when he landed on a bad patch of ground and crumpled on landing four out at Southwell. He’d run well against a smart foe on a previous visit to the same track, and brings easily the best form to the party today.
Race 5 No2 KALKAROO
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian- Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
KALKAROO is proving a regular earner for his connections and again put in a solid display when second at this course last month. He holds BUNKER BAY on that form, and though his usual pilot Gavin Sheehan in unavailable he has a more than able deputy in Twiston-Davies.
