Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from on Newmarket, York, Ascot, Chepstow, and Chester on 11 July 2025.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No4 KURAKKA (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
In a hot race, KURAKKA can remain unbeaten in handicaps and complete a hat-trick. He showed his versatility by scoring over a mile and a half on his latest start at Haydock but should remain in his comfort zone retuned to a mile and a quarter here. He’s a progressive individual who can stave off the challenges of KING’S CHARTER and URBAN GLIMPSE.
Race 2 DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES (Group 2)
No1 ARGENTINE TANGO (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
ARGENTINE TANGO did us a good turn when edging home in a Listed race over this course and distance a fortnight ago. While she doesn’t match up to some of her foes from the point of view of pedigree, she is a tough individual who is hard to repel when engaging in a fight. She appeals as a value bet against odds-on VENETIAN SUN.
Race 4 TATTERSALLS FALMOUTH STAKES (Group 1)
No4 RUNNING LION (Each Way)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The market for this fillies’ Group 1 is headed by CINDERELLA’S DREAM and CRIMSON ADVOCATE who were separated by a length and threequarters at Royal Ascot. With a 3lb pull in favour of the runner-up there won’t be much between them although I fancy the fourth home in that race, RUNNING LION, to reverse the placings. She was still in front with half a furlong to travel and if given a controlled ride from the front might be able to hang on.
Race 7 No10 CATCH CUNNINGHAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Connor Planas
CATCH CUNNINGHAM is amongst the roughies in a tricky nightcap but might prove dangerous to rule out. He’s a course and distance winner who has slipped to a tempting mark, and represents a trainer who needs respecting when brining one of his horses to a marquee fixture.
YORK
Race 7 No3 SIR EDWARD LEAR (Nap)
Trainer: James Own – Jockey: Mason Paetel
On a tough card for wagering SIR EDWARD LEAR is the only bet. He’s a very lightly raced individual who since scoring on debut at Ripon last August has regularly troubled the judge. He saw out this trip well on his latest start, and will benefit from the 5lb claim of his capable pilot.
ASCOT
Race 4 No6 MUSIC PIECE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
On her first run in a handicap MUSIC PIECE should prove hard to beat. The Camelot filly only just failed in a Listed race at Goodwood and importantly that form was boosted when the third home, Never Let Go, scored at Royal Ascot. It all adds up to her being the best bet on this card.
Race 6 No7 RED SAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: George Downing
One that could have gone under the radar is RED SAND. The free going son of Too Darn Hot bookended last season and the start of this with successes at Goodwood and Wolverhampton before running well in a hot handicap at York where he met traffic problems and probably didn’t stay. Pulled back to his optimum trip of 1200 metres he looks sure to go well.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No10 WHO IS ALICE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Channon looks to have found a good opportunity for WHO IS ALICE who was too green on her first two outings, but has learned something and can give the trainer his first juvenile scorer of the season.
Race 6 No4 DARKENED EDGE (Nap)
Trainer: Christopher Mason – Jockey: Gina Mangan
DARKENED EDGE landed some good bets when opening her account over this course and distance last month. She gets on well with her pilot, and the combination can follow-up.
CHESTER
Race 1 No1 SIR ALBERT (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
SIR ALBERT landed some good bets to open his account on AW debut at Newcastle and looks one to follow now going down the nursery route. The son of No Nay Never is a nimble individual who should relish the sharp nature of the Roodee.
Race 3 No6 WHITE CROWN STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
WHITE CROWN STAR has earned in each of his five starts in 2025, making the podium on all three visits to a Grade 1 track. Back on turf for this competitive Class4, he has every chance of again getting into the shake-up for a trainer it always pays to follow here.
Race 4 No6 MISS HERSCHEL
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
MISS HERSCHEL was denied only in the final stride on her reappearance at Lingfield where she saw out the trip well. The Sea The Stars filly has improved mentally for that experience, and can have the whip hand over previous scorer Princess Rascal.
Race 5 No5 DAIQUIRI BAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
If near his paper price DAIQUIRI BAY looks a good betting opportunity returned to a shorter trip. He ran better than his finishing position indicates in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot where he was never nearer than at the finish. While bringing him back to a mile and a quarter was not an obvious move, I’m confident he can go well here, and outperform his odds.
