Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle, York , Chester, Lingfield Park and Windsor on 27 June 2026
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No4 NIKOVO (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
NIKOVO regularly requires sone luck in running but if getting the breaks could deservedly take out this valuable contest. His last three starts when eight in the Victoria Cup and just out of the money at Windsor and Redcar suggest he’s ready to win, though I would suggest having a saver on YORKSHIRE, who will be all the better for his first run back, also in the Victoria Cup.
Race 2 JENNINGSBET CHIPCHASE STAKES (Group 3)
No4 FERROUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
FERROUS has a good record on the all-weather and is respected on his return from an early summer break. It’s freshened him up nicely, and with a top northern jockey in the plate he can add to his course and distance triumph of last May.
Race 3 No9 BELIVEITYOUCAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: William Buick
King has his staying handicappers in rude health and BELIEVEITYOUCAN skipped Royal Ascot to wait for the so called Pitman’s Derby the trainer plundered with Trueshan in 2022. The selection enjoyed a profitable hurdling campaign but has really found his forte since being switched to the Flat, pulling off a couple of gambles at Ascot and Chester in the manner of a horse that could have more to give. In this good betting heat I would also add SHRIMP SHADY and this week’s smooth Catterick scorer TREASURE ISLANDS in exactas and trifectas.
Race 4 JENNINGSBET NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE HANDICAP
No8 TEAM PLAYER (Each Way)
Trainer: Ewan Whillans – Jockey: Greg Fairly
TEAM PLAYER is well drawn for the most historic race run in the North East and with only three outings under his belt this season comes here as a fresh horse. He scored on his first start for Whillans here in February before following up at Musselburgh, while he ran a cracker when fifth in the Chester Cup in which he seemed to be given too much to do. He’s equipped with first time cheek pieces today, and should give us a very good run for our money. Alan King’s BLAZEON FIVE is one that could also take a hand on a third start of the season while the penalised SYNERGISM threatens to get into the shake-up for Sir Mark Prescott. Of the roughies the South African-trained ASGARD’S CAPTAIN could perform better than his price suggests he will.
Prediction: 1st TEAM PLAYER, 2nd Blazeon Five, 3rd Synergism, 4th Asgard’s Captain
YORK
Race 4 AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI CRITERION STAKES (Group 3)
No6 SABRE STRIKE
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
SABER STRIKE landed a Listed race and was one of the gambles of the week when out of the money in the Jersey at Royal Ascot. That mirrored the big reputation of the Night Of Thunder colt, who can plunder this Group 3 at the main expense of NEVER SO BRAVE, whose Epsom run looked too bad to be true.
Race 5 No9 WHO’S LOPE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
WHO’S LOPE landed some good bets when opening his account on a third career start at Beverley where he saw out the mile and a half well. He moves further up the distance ladder for this first run in a handicap, and could have been let in lightly.
CHESTER
Race 1 No4 THE DANCING PIRATE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
THE DANCING PIRATE couldn’t justify the support that followed him to post on his Newmarket introduction but fared better when fourth to MATTEO on second start in a hot conditions race at Beverley. He has a good chance of adding to his trainer’s excellent record on the Roodee.
Race 4 No7 FORTY YEARS ON (Nap)
Trainer: George Scott – Jockey: Harry Davies
FORTY YEARS ON has the upwardly mobile characteristic required to justify a step up in class into this fillies’ Listed race. The daughter of Mayson backed up her very good three-year-old campaign when winning easily at Newbury where in the colours of Valmont she bolted up. She has a plum draw one off the fence, and appeals as one of the better betting propositions of the day.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No1 SAVVY DISKO (Nap)
Trainer: Sean Woods – Jockey: Jack Callan
SAVVY DISKO made much of the running to get home in a close finish here and now switches to a handicap. He will need to settle better over this longer trip, but if doing so can follow-up.
WINDSOR
Race 1 No4 LABICHE
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Olivia Tubb
LABICHE has cheek pieces added for an apprentice handicap that might not take too much winning. He put in a career best when third at Wolverhampton last time, and can foil hat-trick seeking SHES GOT THE BLUES.
Race 5 No3 RULER OF TIME
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Although he’s taking his time to justify a big home reputation, RULER OF TIME should come good in a race that’s cut up. He ran into the smart SEET when beaten by that rival at Doncaster, and unless GONNA FLY raises his game this should be his for the taking.
Race 6 No4 MAJESTIC (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Former Cambridgeshire winner MAJESTIC ran into the money at Hamilton and while never looking like scoring that day has been given a chance by the assessor. He’s without a win since Bahrain 18 months ago, but that could all change tonight.
