Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Newmarket, Ripon, Doncaster, Lingfield Park and Perth on 15 August 2026.
NEWBURY
Race 1 HIGHCLERE THOROUGHBRED RACING GEOFFREY FREER STAKES (Group 3)
No5 WINE DARK SEA (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Hector Crouch
Owing to his inexperience of racing at Group level coupled with a heavy defeat in a handicap last time, WINE DARK SEA is carded to go off as the outsider of five in a race that is a part of this course’s history. The Ulysses gelding has 18 lbs to find with DUBAI HONOUR on official ratings, but back in trip and on only a tenth career start he could outrun his price. Before his Newmarket lapse he appeared to win Carlisle’s Cumberland Plate with a stone in hand, while his trainer wouldn’t run him in this unless he thought he could be competitive. Three times Group 1 winner Dubai Honour has been rested since performing well in Australia and is the one to beat if ready, while MOUNT ATLAS and TABLETALK are very closely matched on York form.
Race 2 No9 RIVER SPEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
I followed RIVER SPEY off a cliff last summer but in fairness to the gelding he eventually delivered at Chester. This season he successfully returned at Windsor, while his effort to finish just out of the money at Goodwood is better than it looked as he was drawn on the stands side and finished with a wet sail. In another 100 yards he would have gone close. This is a good horse on his day, while he should be afforded the strong pace he requires to pick off rivals at the finish.
Race 4 VISIT MALTA HUNGERFORD STAKES (Group 2)
No9 SUKANYA ( Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
With question marks next to a couple at the head of the market a chance is taken on SUKANYA to cause an upset. The daughter of Havana Grey is a hot individual but very capable of things fall right for her, as was the case when she took out the old Fred Darling Stakes over course and distance at the Spring meeting. On that occasion she dropped her head and settled before swooping on Touleen in the final 100 yards. She’s subsequently contested two Group 1s and a Group 3 but they were over a mile, while Touleen gave the Fred Darling form a boost when an unlucky second in the Coronation Stakes. NEVER SO BRAVE would win this if back near to his best. He’s a Group 1 winner without a penalty and should give a good account, along with July Cup fourth COPPULL.
Race 5 No8 MOSHEER
Trainer: Owen Burrows – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
MOSHEER is a name that’s been barked around Lambourn ahead of this first racecourse visit and the New Bay colt has needless to say already attracted support in exchange betting on the contest. If he’s as good as I’ve heard he is he should prove the one to beat.
NEWMARKET
Race 6 No4 STORMY MUSIC (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Alfie Redman
I hope on this tough card home bred STORMY MUSIC is one worth waiting for. The daughter of Night Of Thunder upped her game when stretching out to 1600 metres to score easily here at the start of the month and though 4lb higher enjoys this fast ground. She can take the spoils in the colours of her breeder Jeff Smith.
RIPON
Race 1 No4 RULE OF THE AGENCY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
Easterby is respected with his triple attack on this restricted novice, and while NOSEY BOOK and SPECIAL OPERATIONS have undeniable claims, RULE OF THE AGENCY might prove the pick. The Without Parole colt finished last of seven when 100-1 for his first run and was 50-1 when upping his game to trouble the judge at York. He was a neck in front of Special Operations on that occasion.
Race 3 No7 WOODSTOCK ( Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Oisin Orr
WOODSTOCK can stem a run of frame finishes competing over this straight 1200 metres and pulled back in trip. It’s his first run over the distance for almost a year, and while each of his five career successes have happened over further it’s a ploy worth taking, and it can pay off.
Race 4 No4 DARK CLOUD RISING (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
The featured Great St Wilfrid Handicap should see DARK CLOUD RISING in the thick of things. In two visits to this garden course he’s won and finished second, and in many ways that makes him the go to horse. In a smaller field than usual he can again get into the shake up and hopefully deliver, although for exotic wagering in a good betting race FAST TRACK HARRY, KODIAC THRILLER and ARAMRAM are also advised. I’m keen on the latter, a class dropper who is worth saving on and a rare runner for his trainer in this historic contest.
Prediction: 1st DARK CLOUD RISING, 2nd Aramram, 3rd Fast Track Harry, 4th Kodiac Thriller
DONCASTER
Race 5 No6 PAPA COCKTAIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
Doncaster tends to bring out the best in PAPA COCKTAIL for whom an earning run looks firmly on the cards. His figures in seven visits to the Town Moor read 3031252, while after graduating up the ranks he’s now fully comfortable at this Class4 level. He’s also operating over his optimum trip.
Race 6 No4 BERLINETTA (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Hopefully Sukanya can put in a big run at Newbury as a good omen for BERLINETTA, who operates under the same ownership. The latter, a daughter of Pinatubo, has benefitted from her switch to West Ilsley and was making just a second appearance for Channon when scoring at Windsor. She’s clearly going in the right direction, has worked well subsequently and with another success can consolidate.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No1 HESREADYTORUMBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
From the same stable this 1200 metres maiden should be within the compass of HESREADYTORUMBLE, who displayed good natural speed before weakening into fourth on his second career start here. Key to success for the grey is for him to find cover and conserve energy, as his family are blessed with a decent turn of foot.
PERTH
Race 3 No7 FOLLOW CHARLIE (Each Way)
Trainer Mike Smith – Jockey: Murray Dodd
FOLLOW CHARLIE went in at 14-1 when advised in this column on his run here ast month. He’s higher in the weights, but granted his good earning record at Scone Park another big run is in the offing.
Race 5 No3 SQUEEZEBOX (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
One of the most attractive bets of the day is SQUEEZEBOX. The chestnut has excelled since joining his trainer from the Flat with three successes and an excellent third in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen. He finished off that contest well, operates on a sharp track and could have plenty more to offer.
