Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing, coming your way from Catterick Bridge, Stratford , AYR and Windsor on 18 August 2025.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No4 PURPLE GOWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Adrian Nicol – Jockey: Mr E Cagney
PURPLE GOWN shaped well on her seasonal return when making the podium at Pontefract, and now gets a top amateur to do the steering. She might well have gone under the radar, as if starting close to her paper price she’s definitely worth backing.
Race 2 No2 DEMETRIUS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
Dream Ahead colt DEMETRIUS upped his game when second on AW debut at Kempton. His shrewd handler adds cheek pieces for this second run in a handicap, and from a good slot in the gate he shpuld prove hard to beat.
Race 3 No4 FANCY DANCER
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Nicola Currie
Although drawn wide, FANCY DANCER has overcome such a disadvantage in the past, and as this is her trainer’s choice from three engagements there must be a good chance that she can break well and notch a fourth success of the season.She’s taken her win last week especially well.
STRATFORD
Race 2 No5 BETTY’S TIARA (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Assisted by her mares’ allowance, BETTY’S TIARA is getting plenty of weight from her foes in a race she has the ability to win. She has a habit of finding one to beat her, but there can be no excuses this time.
Race 4 No7 MAGISTRATO (Each Way)
Trainer: Deborah Cole – Jockey: Ben Jones
MAGISTRATO is carded to start as one of the roughies in this two and a half mile handicap chase, but if gaining an early advantage could prove hard to peg back. He’s returned to the mark off which he was last successful, while the easy track should also play to his strengths.
Race 5 No3 OCEAN HEIGHTS
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Dual purpose horse OCEAN HEIGHTS didn’t enjoy the rub of the green when second on his last run over hurdles at this course, while he posted a couple of successes on the level in the spring and will surely be involved if ready for this first run over jumps in more than a year.
AYR
Race 1 No6 SAPPHIRE PRINCESS (Nap)
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Kevin Stott
On a first run out of Manton, SAPPHIRE BLUES should get favourite backers off to a flying start. Her form in Ireland is very solid in the context of this race, and if running up to that level she should deliver.
Race 5 No1 RAVISHING BEAUTY
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Joe Garritty
Camelot filly RAVISHING BEAUTY is going up in the weights but neverthelesss makes sense as the probable winner of this bottom grade handicap. She has the knack of managing to score by small margins, and a 2lb rise for her latest success doesn’t look harsh.
WINDSOR
Race 4 No4 ARMY BUGLER
Trainer: Warren Greatrex – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
ARMY BUGLER enters the nursery arena fresh from a gritty success at Leicester last week in which he justified late support. The Soldier’s Call colt has progressed from race to race in three starts, and as he hails from a yard better known for its jumpers could be overpriced.
Race 5 No1 EARL OF ROCHESTER (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
A step up in trip will assist EARL OF ROCHESTER who looks to have the bases covered. Representing top connections, he brings very solid form to the table, having been denied in a photo after looking all over the winner on his latest start at Kempton, while his form from a sole run in 2024 has worked out particularly well.
Race 7 No4 ALSHIMALI
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: William Carson
Buoyed by a breakthrough triumph at Brighton, ALSHIMALI can cope with a step up to 1200 metres and follow-up for a stable that won the corresponding race 12 months ago. He’s in good heart, and can get the better of another last time out scorer in Summertime Blues.
