Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing, coming your way from Ascot, Thirsk, Kempton Park, Stratford, and Wolverhampton on 05 September 2025.
ASCOT
Race 4 No4 DAIQUIRI BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Jim Crowley
DAIQUIRI BAY has been playing on the big stage through the summer and rewarded his connections with earning efforts at both Goodwood and York. The New Bay colt was in front a long way out on the Knavesmire but kept on to chase home Tarriance in the Melrose, and he should be suited by today’s slightly longer trip.
Race 6 No15 DOUBLE RUSH
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
As a winner with cut in the ground, hat-trick seeker DOUBLE RUSH needs to be taken seriously in this 1200 metres sprint. He’s attracted support on each of his last five starts and appeals as the sort of horse that can boost his trainer with further successes through the autumn. This is an open betting heat in which BADRI, BINHAREER and FAST TRACK HARRY can also be involved.
Race 7 No8 WOOLHAMPTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Rod Millman – Jockey: Hector Crouch
A second success in the race in as many years could be within the grasp of WOOLHAMPTON, whose stable is going through a hot streak with its sprinters. The Camacho mare carries 2lb more on this occasion, but goes into bat having landed a gamble in good style at Sandown. She is also a past scorer over this course and distance, and appreciates a stiff finish and any cut in the ground.
THIRSK
Race 3 No6 RIVER SPEY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Oisin Orr
The best bet of the day is RIVER SPEY who brings easily the best form to the table, and is a winner waiting to happen. He shaped with considerable promise when third in a Goodwood maiden, and appeared unlucky not to open his account on a first nursery outing at York, where he couldn’t get out in time. Beaten less than a length into fourth in a blanket finish, and is now in calmer waters and should make no mistake.
Race 5 No12 MISTER SOX (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
MISTER SOX is another attractive betting proposition at this meeting. He came out of the wilderness to open his account at Ripon, and made a good fist of backing it up in the Great St Wilfrid at the same course in which he finished fifth behind Intervention. He found himself in the wrong group, and to be beaten a little over three lengths was a creditable effort from a horse that probably has more to give.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 UNIBET SEPTEMBER STAKES (Group 3)
No4 KALPANA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Colin Keane
KALPANA goes in trial for the Arc as the outstanding contender for this interesting race and will be at prohibitive odds to deliver. With the assistance of a pacemaker she should comfortably make it a first success of the campaign, and deservedly so after her excellent efforts in defeat in three Group 1s including the King George.
Race 4 UNIBET SIRENIA STAKES (Group 3)
No4 FIVE WAYS (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
A horse I’m looking forward to backing is Kalpana’s stable companion FIVE WAYS. The son of his trainer’s 2000 winner Kameko took a keen grip at Salisbury but it made absolutely no difference to his energy level at the end of the race as he stormed five lengths clear of the useful Crown Of Light. As long as he handles the preliminaries today he should made the jump into Pattern company a winning one.
Race 5 No6 DR STRANGELOVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Oliver Cole – Jockey: Jason Watson
Cole could do with a flagship horse and DR STRANGELOVE could be the one. The son of Mohaather was easy to back and overcame a slow start when opening his account as a 16-1 roughie here in the spring, before racing keenly and succumbing to Fort Campbell under a penalty. He was then narrowly denied in a 1400 metres handicap at Salisbury when he needed another stride to prevail. Importantly he is drawn on the rail on this return to six furlongs, and if breaking smartly should get into the shake up.
STRATFORD
Race 4 No4 JAUNTY VIKING (Each Way)
Trainer: Brian Eckley – Jockey: James Best
A speculative bet in this handicap chase is JAUNTY VIKING who is having a first outing in two and a half years. He’s going over fences for the first time however, and if fit could prove a surprise packet on a card that isn’t especially punter friendly.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No3 PULL THE RUG
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Archie Young
Mehmas filly PULL THE RUG hasn’t quite cut it so far, but on this fourth start a switch to handicapping could see here in a better light. She’s shown ability and especially at home, and this can prove a different and more reward g ball game for her.
Race 3 No4 DANCINGINTHERAIN (Nap)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: S D Bowen
Godolphin filly DANCINGINTHERAIN has encountered costly defeats on her last two of three outings, but the form of her latest defeat and on turf debut at Nottingham has been boosted, making her the go to bet in this maiden.
Race 7 No2 ZOULIGAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
ZOULIGAN still looked green when taking away a minor cheque on his latest start at Newmarket. He strikes me as a horse that can do better, and is certainly worth a market check in the day’s last chance saloon.
