Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Doncaster , Newton Abbot , Beverley and Haydock Park on 4 July 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 4 No2 GETREADYTORUMBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
A horse that is progressing at a rate of knots, GETREADYTORUMBLE can complete a hat-trick in this Class2 on the way to better things. He’s shown a smart turn of foot in scoring at Brighton and Goodwood, and appears to have the weaponry to march on. With a top pilot doing the steering the grey can further enhance the well being of the Channon horses, and is a confident Nap.
Race 5 No6 WINDLORD
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Colin Keane
Dubawi colt WINDLORD has Group placed form to bring to the table after a couple of runs in which he was used in a pacemaking role. He’s a good horse in his own right, and while not top class is certainly capable of success at Listed level.
Race 6 No4 KYLE OF LOCHALSH (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Some of the stayers in this marathon are not as good as they were, and that steers me towards KYLE OF LOCHALSH as one that can cause a minor upset. He needed his first run back, and if moving forward can definitely outrun his price. He was placed in Listed company last year, has done well physically and would not be running unless his shrewd trainer thought he could get into the shake-up.
Race 7 No4 PENDRAGON
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
It’s hard to look past PENDRAGON, who when tackling this trip at Doncaster ran out a smooth winner. Under a penalty he is effectively 2lb well in, and should make no mistake.
DONCASTER
Race 2 No1 TREFOR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Rob Hornby
It’s been a relatively quiet season for Hills but in TREFOR he has a sprinter that can serve him well at the big festivals through the remainder of the year. The Nap operates well over the 1200 metres distance and if continuing to progress, as I think he will today, he could be the type to go well in something like the Stewards‘ Cup.
Race 6 No5 VELVET WHISPER
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
While she might have a kink in her armour, VELVET WHISPER also has talent and it can manifest itself in this fillies’ handicap. The selection caught the attention of the Stewards on her seasonal return at Leicester before disappointing over 1400 metres next time, though there is little doubt she wants this distance.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 6 No9 TESTFLIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Tabitha Worsley
On a tough card for punting, waiting for TESTFLIGHT in the finale could prove a sound option. He put in a career best when second to Lucky Rose here last time, and with the same pilot in the irons can belatedly open his account.
BEVERLEY
Race 3 No2 ORBAAN (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: David Nolan
Veteran ORBAAN finished off his race well when claiming a minor cheque over a slightly shorter trip last time. There’s been a ring of consistency to this horse’s efforts of late, and he has solid claims to make this a first success in more than a year.
Race 5 No4 SEA MASTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: James Sullivan
Although carded to start the outsider of five, SEA MASTER looks dangerous to leave out. He’s given a good account on both starts for Carr, and can break his maiden at the 18th attempt.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No5 U TURN
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: S James
U TURN travelled best until grabbed in the closing stages of a competitive seller at York. The Land Force colt was troubling the judge for the third outing in succession, and should make his presence felt now switched to handicap company.
Race 2 No6 KINGMAKER (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
Camelot colt KINGMAKER has fared well since going down the handicap route, posting seconds on his last two outings. He benefitted from the move up to a mile and a half on a recent visit to Newbury, and this looks easier.
