Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Doncaster and Newbury on 10 July 2025.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 BAHRAIN TROPHY (Group 3)
No1 FURTHER (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The first race of the July Festival can go to FURTHER, who can better his near miss in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. The grey had the freegoing SCANDINAVIA behind him on that occasion, and though this is a whole different ball game there is no obvious reason why he should turn the tables on the Nap.
Race 2 KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN JULY STAKES (Group 2)
No6 ZAVATERI (Each Way)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charle Bishop
Unbeaten colts BRUSSELS, JEL PEPPER and MAXIMISED make this a cracking heat, with the latter having laid down the gauntlet with his clear cut victory in a Listed race at Epsom. However if there’s a fly in the ointment that horse could be ZAVATERI, who is carded to start the outsider of the six runners. The son of Without Parole greatly impressed me with the way he quickened to score on debut at Salisbury, and while this represents big step up the class ladder, he can make it.
Race 3 No13 CRESTOFDISTINCTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
CRESTOFDISTINCTION might not have run as well on grass as the all-weather, but the wide margin Wolverhampton scorer looks temptingly weighted in one of the hottest three-year-old only handicaps run this summer. The Kodiac colt has Rossa Ryan in the saddle, has bloomed since that trip to Dunstall Park and should definitely get into the shake-up. DOUBLE RUSH, TAWASOL and HUCKLESBROOK are all dangerous foes, and musts for the exotics in a good betting race.
Race 4 PRINCESS OF WALES’S STAKES (Group 2)
No4 PALLADIUM
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Hardwicke Stakes third and fourth GHOSTWRITER and PALLADIUM could be the ones to dominate a race that will inevitably become a tactical affair. The latter has joined Gosden after a brief flirtation with hurdling as the most expensive purchase ever to partake in National Hunt. His trainer will know more about him, and the Gleneagles colt, winner of last year’s German Derby, gets the vote.
Race 6 No6 ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT often travels well, but might have done too much when fading at the end of Epsom’s Diomed Stakes last month. In a race dominated by 2000 Guineas third and Heron Stakes winner Opera Ballo, he represents value to get into the shake-up for an owner who has enjoyed prolific success at this meeting over the years.
DONCASTER
Race 3 No2 BINT MOHAATHER (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
BINT MOHAATHER ran out a most impressive winner on her Wolverhampton reappearance in which the result was never in doubt. She has continued to work well, and from a very good draw can defy a penalty on the way to better things.
Race 4 No11 ORANGESANDLEMONS (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
ORANGESANDLEMONS has suffered from a frustrating bout of ‘seconditis’ but the Maydon filly can now return to winning ways assisted by first time blinkers. She has finished second on six occasions whilst scoring at Southwell in seven career starts, and is attractively weighted in this all-aged handicap.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No11 SHOTGUN (Each Way)
Trainer: Ollie Cole – Jockey: Ray Dawson
Timeforshowcasing sets the standard in the first division of the novice but could be vulnerable under a penalty. A market check is therefore advised on SHOTGUN, who has some high profile entries later in the year and has shown promise at home ahead of this introduction.
Race 4 No3 ASTRAZAR (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Starman colt ASTRAZAR upped his game with a near miss at Salisbury on second start when the money was down. His connections should have high hopes of recouping their losses, as he’s a very well regarded individual that probably has a lot more to offer.
Race 6 No4 DOUBLE RED (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Hat-trick seeker DOUBLE BED is interesting on his return from a mid season break. His back-to-back triumphs at Nottingham not only show him to be a better performer on grass, but also confirm that he has turned a corner.
Race 7 No6 JIMMY MARK
Trainer: Stuart Kittow – Rob Hornby
Bath and Ffos Las specialist JIMMY MARK takes the eye on a belated first visit to this course. He’s started favourite for three of his four outings in 2025 while posting figures of 1222. His step up to tonight’s trip worked well in a very good run in defeat last time, and he has every chance of going one better.
