Neil Morrice’s best bets Good Friday- 03 April 2026

NEWCASTLE

Race 1 No3 JEL PEPPER
Trainer: Oliver Cole – Jockey: Hector Crouch

Four of the seven acceptors for this cracking opener have had a recent run but one that comes back from a break, JEL PEPPER, can cause them problems. He showed that seven furlongs brings out the best in him when landing a Sales race at Newmarket, but is going to be even more effective now moved up to the 1600 metres distance. He’s done well through the winter both physically and mentally.

Race 2 No8 NORTHERN EMPIRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Ashley Lewis

Night Of Thunder colt NORTHERN EMPIRE could represent the best value in another very open affair. He’s the least experienced of the 15 sprinters in the field but was good from the gate when opening his account at Lingfield, where he showed a willing attitude to hold on in a driving finish. There’s not a lot of him, but he can improve to reward each way support.

Race 4 No8 THE LOST KING
Trainer: Andrew a balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

While NIKOVO could outrun his lengthy odds and get into the shake-up, I just prefer THE LOST KING for the win. In a strong renewal the King Power Racing-owned gelding brings solid claims to the table for last year’s winning connections. He’s won two of three starts since returning from a long lay off and is realising the high hopes that were held for him as a juvenile. He gets the 1600 metres distance well, and should enjoy racing on this course.

Race 5 No8 SARAB STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex

Channon and Greatrex hit the ground running when providing the Lincoln winner a week ago, and SARAB STAR can give out further evidence that West Ilsley is poised for a big year by taking the spoils. The Zoustar colt has posted figures of 212 since being purchased to remain in the yard and went close from 2lb higher on his latest start at Kempton. He’s on a mark to remain competitive in this better race where stablemate FERROUS can also figure, despite having flopped on a first attempt at 1400 metres last time. POCKLINGTON is another to have on your mind and he can enter calculations along with roughie FIVETHOUSANDTOONE.

Prediction: 1st SARAB STAR, 2nd Pocklington, 3rd Ferrous, 4th Fivethoustandtoone

Race 6 No5 REGAL ULIXES (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

Having been tried in Group 2 company last season, REGAL ULIXES stated with an impressive Lingfield success and a better than it looked effort at Wolverhampton where he didn’t enjoy being held up, that he’s a well treated individual and one to follow. This mile and a quarter is his optimum trip, and with the champ in his saddle he looks one to take very seriously.

LINGFIELD PARK

Race 4 No12 METALLO (Each Way)
Trainer: John Butler – Jockey: Luke Morris

METALLO and MY FERMOY are the ones that make most appeal in this middle distance handicap in which the latter attempts the distance for the first time in a year. In two of his three starts for Butler he’s indicated he wants to go further, and while the ploy remains a tad experimental he could be worth chancing. MY FERMOY comes into the reckoning in his own right, having earned on all but one of his seven outings, including with a clear cut delivery at Wolverhampton.

Race 6 No6 KING OF CHAOS (Each Way)
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: David Probert

KING OF CHAOS needs to put his Southwell flop in February behind him, but if doing so back on his favoured terrain can go well from a favourable slot in the gate. His free running tactics paid dividends on his only previous visit to this venue, and there’s a good chance he can again get onto the lead.

Race 7 No1 WONDER
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Taryn Langley

WONDER sauntered home on a second run of the year at Southwell only to run into one on his next start at this course. Having been worried out of it that day he needs to recoup the losses, and is in a position to achieve it granted the 3lb claim of his talented pilot.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)