Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thurday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Cheltenham , Ripon and Ffos Las on 17 April 2025.
NEWMARKET
Race 2 No3 GREAT (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
A race won by Frankel’s half-brother Kikkuli 12 months ago contains several very likeable types but the one to be on at the price is GREAT. The Twilight Son colt’s only outing happened in heavy ground at the back end but Haydock form is usually reliable, and the rain that fell at Headquarters yesterday can only assist his claims in the colours of Julie Wood.
Race 4 No5 TRIBAL CHIEF
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Moore is an eye taking booking for TRIBAL CHIEF, even though this stable has yet to really start firing. The selection went through last summer and autumn posting three straight successes and rounded off with a near miss at this course when beaten only half a length. That progression can continue in this admittedly open heat.
Race 5 No1 ANNO DOMINI (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
After straight successes at Newbury and Sandown where he justified strong support, New Bay colt ANNO DOMINI found his challenge petering out at the end of the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster. The grey is in calmer waters for the return to action, and if successful might have the Irish 2000 Guineas in his sights.
CHELTENHAM
Race 2 No6 MINNIEMUM
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Hat-trick seeker Lady Drago needs respecting, but on revised terms MINNIEMUM has a fair chance of turning the tables on the favourite from their running at Wincanton at the end of last month. That might have come plenty soon enough for my selection following her impressive triumph at Exeter, and she is worth another chance.
Race 4 No6 PARTY VIBES (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: David Bass
From the same stable PARTY VIBES looked happier moved up to two and a half miles when scoring at Leicester. She’s experienced mixed fortunes since her switch to fences, but brings good form in a Listed mares’ chase to the table, and should give the owners’ syndicate headed by champion jockey Richard Johnson a good run for its money.
RIPON
Race 4 No10 TIRIAC (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Cam Hardie
TIRIAC was backed on many occasions last season including when scoring back-to-back triumphs at Windsor and York in May. He’s making a first start for Midgley under the same ownership, and if a change of scenery has benefitted him, has to be of interest. One note of caution however is that in four seasons’ racing he’s needed his first run.
Race 5 No9 HOSANNA POWER (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
HOSANNA POWER was never as good as on his first run of 2024 for former trainer Sir Michael Stoute. He landed the spoils at Newbury that day, but couldn’t add to it in four subsequent outings. He now debuts for Easterby as a fresh horse, and with the early Great Habton runners in such good order is well worth a market check.
Race 6 No3 LAST SHAMARDAL (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
LAST SHAMARDAL needed his first race when troubling the judge at Newcastle and has done nothing wrong with subsequent triumphs in a maiden at the same track and in a Wolverhampton handicap. He relished the step up to 1400 metres at Dunstall Park, and should be even happier now stretching out to a mile and switched to grass.
Race 7 No6 GARDEN OASIS
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Jake Dickson
The eye is drawn to GARDEN OASIS, who with six career wins here is a standing dish at the garden course. He’s never won first time back, but his trainer appears to have his runners more forward than usual, while his task is eased by the 10lb claim of his pilot.
FFOS LAS
Race 3 No7 GLENGOLLY (Each Way)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
GLENGOLLY wasn’t right when going out like a light at Taunton and might have needed his latest start at Southwell. He should go off at a double figure price for this long distance handicap hurdle, in which it may be wrong to write him off.
Race 6 No5 NECRONAUT (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
NECRONAUT ran into a smart foe in Bosman Jack on his Wincanton introduction but has learned much from that experience. He kept responding to pressure all the way to the line and this looks a perfect opening for him to show the losses sustained on him were merely lent.
