Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from York, Newton Abbot, Yarmouth, Perth, and Bath on 14 May 2025.
YORK
Race 1 No9 PLAGE DE HAVRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
PLAGE DE HAVRE brings strong all weather form to the table in the opening race of the York May Festival. The upwardly mobile sprinter is none the worse for being pulled up at Newcastle and is the only horse in the field with room for progression. On an eight career start, and only second on grass, he can stave off the challenges of STRESS FREE and THE REVERAND.
Race 3 1895 DUKE OF YORK CLIPPER STAKES (Group 2)
No1 ELITE STATUS
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
Burke is throwing the kitchen sink at this race which can have a bearing on the Platinum Jubilee at Ascot. Hat trick seeker Night Raider commands respect as he’s looked a different horse since undergoing a breathing operation. Marshman has run well in defeat but is exposed, leaving the best option as ELITE STATUS.
Importantly the Havana Grey colt has scored first time out on all three seasons he’s races, including the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury in 2024. He’s shown himself to be lethal when fresh, and can take the spoils at the main expense of NIGHT RAIDER.
Race 4 TATTERSALLS MUSIDORA STAKES (Group 2)
No4 SMOKEN (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
This traditional trial for the Oaks can see SMOKEN remaining unbeaten. The Too Darn Hot filly encountered easy conditions on each of her two outings last year, signing off with a Listed success at Newmarket. She is bred to handle the faster conditions she will experience today, and though he career has been far from straightforward she can show herself to be a worthy candidate for Epsom.
The one that can cause her problems is SERENITY PRAYER, who impressed when landing some good bets on her first run at Newbury.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 3 No7 UNSPEAKABLE
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Jack Tudor
UNSPEAKABLE was a silky smooth scorer at Taunton where he looked good value for his subsequent 5lb hike in the weights. He’s got a menacing look at the foot of the handicap, and can win again.
Race 5 No3 SHERBORNE (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
This looks a slightly tougher assignment for SHERBORNE than the race he won at Fontwell but it could be run at a faster pace, which will suit the strong travelling Nap. A good jumper, he can make this a third success from his last four outings.
YARMOUTH
Race 3 No7 PETULA (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
PETULA is a beautifully bred filly with looks to match and if close to her paper price is worth a speculative wager. She will definitely come on for the run, but she has ability while it doesn’t look the hottest of novices.
Race 4 No7 TWILIGHT GUEST (Nap)
Trainer: George Margarson – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
TWILIGHT GUEST chased home a clear cut scorer at this course when doing all his best work at the finish. That was his best effort for some time, and suggests he’s on the cusp of a breakthrough.
PERTH
Race 7 No1 FOLLOW CHARLIE (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Smith – Jockey: Conor Rabbit
FOLLOW CHARLIE has a top conditional doing the steering in a race that for some Will be the last chance saloon. It should pay to wait for the top weight who after a couple of solid runs in defeat is ready to put one on the board.
BATH
Race 4 No8 BANKSMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
The flashy BANKSMAN is not an obvious choice for this bottom grade handicap but he’s learned something from his first run back which earned him a mark. At a big double figure price he could run into the money.
Race 5 No5 VOIX DE BOCELLI (Nap)
TRAINER: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Jason Watson
Dual purpose horse VOIX DE BOCELLI has taken full advantage of a dropping mark to finish second and then win comfortably at Brighton. With his tail up after that display, and his trainer in form, he has a favourite’s chance of following up.
