Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Epsom Downs, Thirsk, Goodwood, and Doncaster on 06 June 2025.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 3 BETFAIR CORONATION CUP (Group 1)
No3 CALANDAGAN
Trainer: Francis Graffard – Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
The Sheema Classic is the key to this historic race, with CALANDAGAN taken to confirm his superiority over GIAVELLOTTO from Meydan back in March. The selection’s trainer appeared stunned that his charge failed to land the spoils in Dubai and has targeted him at this contest over a suitably longer trip. Having finished second in three Group 1s the Gleneagles gelding brings the strongest form to the table. St Leger winner JAN BRUEGHEL lost his unbeaten record when second in a Group 3 at the Curragh and needs to be taken seriously, as CONTINUOUS is in there to ensure a good pace for him.
Prediction: 1st CALANDAGAN, 2nd Giavellotto, 3rd Jan Brueghel
Race 4 No12 RATHGAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
RATHGAR was mugged in the final strides of the City & Suburban here and then a honourable third at Chester last month, and with his liking for the track has strong claims to go one better. Probert has formed a good association with the chestnut, who has been in great form at home and looks to have an outstanding each way chance.
Race 5 BETFRED OAKS (Group 1)
No1 DESERT FLOWER
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
As a five race unbeaten daughter of Night of Thunder and a Classic winner to boot, DESERT FLOWER will be very hard to beat if she stays. She saw out a mile well as a two-year-old and was never stronger than at the finish when landing the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. There’s a strong suspicion that the selection will outclass her foes, the best of whom could include Cheshire Oaks winner MINNIE HAUK and Musidora Stakes victress WHIRL. Jockey bookings indicate that Minnie Hauk is the Ballydoyle main arrow, and should the favourite fluff her lines this daughter of Frankel is one that can take advantage. A third string to Aidan O’Brien’s bow however is GISELLE, who following a bloodless triumph at Lingfield could have a lot more to offer, whilst being hard to evaluate.
Prediction: 1st DESERT FLOWER, 2nd Giselle, 3rd Minnie Hauk, 4th Whirl
Race 6 No11 TRIBAL RHYTHM (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Although relatively impressive when delivering over this course and distance back in April, TRIBAL RHYTHM has to compete off a 7lb higher mark. What’s interesting is that the win represented a step in the right direction for the Ulysses gelding, who has very few miles on his racing clock.
Race 7 No6 DARKNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Hector Crouch
Miss Information has winning form here and impressed with her success at Newmarket, although a 4lb penalty makes life more difficult for her. DARKNESS hasn’t shown what he’s capable of in three attempts to win this race but might prove worth supporting to break that trend. The former French based gelding was a smooth scorer at Thirsk last time and will benefit should there be any more rain, which seems likely.
THIRSK
Race 1 No2 NOBLE TESTIMONY
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
The powerful Bethell/Rodriguez combo can take the opener with NOBLE TESTIMONY who although finishing second in all three starts is thoroughly genuine, whilst having been unfortunate to bump into a classy foe on his latest outing. He rates a worthy favourite to give his trainer a second success in this race in as many years.
Race 2 No6 VELVET WHISPER
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
VELVET WHISPER went into the notebook and also caught the attention of the Stewards with her eye taking run back at Leicester. Having looked held and going nowhere, she picked up when the birds had flown to breeze past beaten horses and finish with her rider having a full horse underneath him. She can by opening her account over this longer trip put the icing on the cake of a good day for her trainer.
Race 7 No3 MEDINILLA (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
MEDINILLA comes here in favour of Chepstow tomorrow, and with a top northern jockey in her saddle can complete a fine hat-trick. She did well to overcome traffic problems to score at Wolverhampton for which she incurred a 5lb penalty. Her connections are eyeing a race at Royal Ascot, and in order to take that step up in class she would need to deliver here.
GOODWOOD
Race 5 No1 ARKHALIA FLYNN (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
ARKHALIA FLYNN shaped beautifully when fourth on his first run back in a warm heat at Sandown. A three times scorer last season who was unfortunate not to have won more, he usually needs a run to put the cutting edge on him, and will be straighter. He has a high cruising speed and a useful turn of foot which should lend itself to this course.
DONCASTER
Race 2 No1 DAIQUIRI BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
In what looks a two horse affair DAIQUIRI BAY can thwart Regal Unixes. The Nap didn’t go unbacked when scoring on a first run of 2025 at Chester where he enjoyed stretching out to this trip of a mile and a quarter. He picked up a penalty for that, but his rival is also penalised, and after a 260 day absence could be less forward.
Race 6 No5 GRESSINGTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Kevin Stott
GRESSINGTON gained valuable experience of the Town Moor when third here last month which signalled a step forward from his first run back. The grey should now be cherry ripe to put his best foot forward at the main expense of top weight Trefor.
Race 7 No1 BELGRAVIAN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
First time cheek pieces can assist BELGRAVIAN to notch a first career win. A beaten favourite on each of his first three outings, the Make Believe gelding disappointed on his latest start at Kempton but has the ability to recoup losses should the headgear have the desired effect.
