Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Chester, Windsor, Huntingdon, Redcar and Southwell on 07 May 2026.
CHESTER
Race 3 No3 CONSTITUTION RIVER
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Coolmore could have a stranglehold on this Derby trial and CONSTITUTION RIVER looks its main arrow. The form of his first juvenile run was massively boosted by the horse that beat him, and in two subsequent outings he’s included a Group 2 success. It makes the Wootton Bassett colt an automatic choice to beat stablemate FLUSHING MEADOWS who might be in here to make the running. At a big price I like GOLDEN STORY, whose Doncaster debut success has worked out. Put him in your exactas.
Race 4 LADBROKES ORMONDE STAKES (Group 3)
No4 ILLINOIS (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Wayne Lordan
ILLINOIS took out this historic race 12 months ago and went on to finish second in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup. He probably wasn’t right when well held on his final run in the Irish St Leger and is worth siding with as he’s shown he can act on this unique course. Stablemate JAN BRUEGHEL won the King George after taking out the Coronation Cup. The 2024 St Leger winner will start a hot favourite on his return, and is a deserving one. Although he was beaten on a number of occasions the 2025 Leger runner-up RAHIEBB commands respect and can also get into the shake up.
Race 5 No9 FACTUAL
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Balding loves to patronise this meeting and in FACTUAL he has a lightly raced colt who could have been handed a lenient mark. He warmed to his task when breaking his duck at Newcastle like a horse that wants to go further, and while facing a tricky outer draw he has the champion jockey back in his saddle.
Race 7 No7 MYTHICAL BAY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The same trainer/jockey team can take out the nightcap with MYTHICAL BAY, who is guaranteed to get the trip in this first handicap venture. He had to buckle down to get the job done at Wolverhampton but has learned plenty from it.
WINDSOR
Race 4 No11 GEARING’S POINT (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: George Bass
GEARING’S POINT has served her connections well under both racing Codes, and while she’s frustratingly still a maiden the move back to turf can pay off. It’s 18 months since she last competed at this course but her overall form at the riverside track is good.
Race 6 No5 MAY ENCOUNTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Nicola Currie
Candy has done well with the horses that run in his own name which augurs well for MAY ENCOUNTER, who has relatively few miles on her racing clock. Her form on a grass surface far outweighs what she’s shown on sand, and first run back could be the time to catch her.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No4 PEP TALKING (Nap)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Given his liking for this venue and his general well being, PEP TALKING is advised as the only bet on this card, but a strong one. He’s gone up 7lb for a recent Chepstow win but was very impressive, while today’s longer trip can play to his strengths.
REDCAR
Race 1 No11 SONG OF THE CLOUDS (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
The fact that SONG OF THE CLOUDS has a Group 1 entry suggests she’s well regarded and surely in calmer waters after her pleasing first run at Newbury. She’s closely related to a dual Pattern race winner and bred to enjoy the step up to 1600 metres.
Race 5 No10 MAYO COUNTY (Each Way)
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Ryan Sexton
Getting weight from her mainly male opponents makes MAYO COUNTY one to watch for a market move. She was dropped 1lb for her best run of the season over this course and distance last time and goes well on the faster ground.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No10 JUBILEE TIME ( Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Rab Havlin
JUBILEE TIME appeared to take a backward step at Wolverhampton but had shown ability to trouble the judge on his previous start. It will be interesting what he can achieve on a first run in handicap company in the colours of his trainer, though he ranks as a speculative bet with low stakes in consideration of his massive price.
Race 7 No1 CHARLIE DARLING (Nap)
Trainer: Alan Brown – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
CHARLIE DARLING inched home on his latest start at this course but that run kept up his progressive aura in four 2025 starts, while it would be no surprise if he defied a 5lb penalty
