Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing, coming your way from Pontefract and Southwell on 17 August 2025.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No2 GREAT SUCCESS (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Oisin Orr
In a race where there’s no previous form to go on, GREAT SUCCESS can prove the answer. The Iffraaj colt has been shaping well in his work in Malton and can deliver at the first time of asking in colours that are synonymous with speedy two-year-olds.
Race 4 No7 NO ALIBI
Trainer: P Twomey – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
No surprise to see early support for NO ALIBI in this Listed feature. The Irish visitor has shown a smart turn of foot to win her last two starts at Cork and Limerick, and if getting cover can swoop to conquer and complete fine hat-trick.
Race 6 No3 AL SAYAH
Traner: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
AL SAYAH is a fascinating runner granted her smart hurdling form and ability to go well when coming off a break. This year she’s a dual winner over hurdles as well as troubling the judge on her last two outings. He appearances on the level are few and far between, but she the right man in her saddle to get the job done.
Race 7 No5 VIBRANT PEARL
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: David Nolan
VIBRANT PEARL enjoys the fast ground and was a tidy scorer at Carlisle. On a similarly stiff track today she can make it back-to-back successes.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No9 WARM SUMMER (Nap)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
WARM SUMMER made a pleasing introduction at Lingfield exactly a year ago, with the filly that beat her going on to establish herself as Group class. The selection has had her issues, but if retaining anywhere near the same level of form should be good enough to open her account.
Race 5 No9 LORD MONTAGUE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
LORD MONTAGUE made a good fist of it when second to Hachiman at Lingfield. It was his first outing for two months and first on the all-weather, but a return to grass here looks just what the doctor ordered.
Race 7 No6 NATIVE INSTINCT
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Consistency is the watchword for NATIVE INSTINCT, who continued his progression from race to race in 2025 with a near Miss against Bellarchi at Catterick. It should be put him spot on and in pole position to go one better for his in form handler.
