Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing, coming your way from Newbury, AYR, Newton Abbot, and Newcastle on 19 September 2025.
NEWBURY
Race 3 No4 SENORITA VEGA
Trainer: Tom Dascombe – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
Against automatic favourite Hardy’s Hero, SENORITA VEGA could offer up some value for a stable that does well with its juvenile handicappers. The selection made Half Sovereign fight for the spoils at Newmarket and that form is rock solid, making the forecast 8-1 an appealing each way price about the daughter of Lucky Vega.
Race 4 No1 GOODWOOD GALAXY
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
In a race that in 1979 heralded the debut of wonder horse Shergar, GOODWOOD GALAXY is one that will be right at home over a longer trip. His fourth in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood is strong form to bring to the table, while he can be forgiven a lack lustre effort at York where he ran with the choke out in the early stages.
Race 5 No6 SPY CHIEF (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: William Buick
The featured Dubai Duty Free Cup can go to SPY CHIEF, who after chasing home an impressive winner in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes was not disgraced in back to back Group 1 assignments. He’s the go to horse in a Listed race where he’s not the only one pulling back into calmer waters. VOLTERRA is a pea out of the same pod, while FERROUS can earn if he gets the trip.
AYR
Race 3 No7 HANNEY GIRL (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
Natural speed is the key asset of HANNEY GIRL who makes a huge class leap into this Listed Rosebery Stakes. Her Ripon and Beverley successes were followed by a near miss at Chester, and with underfoot conditions in her favour she can outrun her double figure price. A more obvious choice and with solid form to bring to the party is SHINE ON ME, who after a couple of earning efforts in France takes a welcome class drop.
Race 8 No11 SOPHIESTICATE (Nap) (If absent No7 ANNANDALE)
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
SOPHIESTICATE was carded to run here yesterday, but if making a rapid return to the track in this stayers’ handicap can make her presence felt. Her absence would switch the spotlight to her stablemate and recent winner ANNANDALE.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 2 No4 MALDINI MILANO
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
MALDINI MILANO was a Rules winner on his debut and went on to finish runner-up in a better bumper at this course when last seen back in March. His trainer reports him in good order for this first run over hurdles, for which he’s schooled well.
Race 6 No2 SHANTOU LUCKY (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Nathan Howie
This should be a saunter for SHANTOU LUCKY who after winning over hurdles and fences on Tuesday now bids to stretch his unbeaten run for Owen to four. Bought out of the bargain basement, he has taken well returning to fences and jumped beautifully at Uttoxeter to come home unchallenged. He should operate equally well on this easy, left handed track.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No8 GWEN’S GIRL (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Walford – Jockey: Ben Robinson
Sergei Prokofiev filly GWEN’S GIRL was easy to back but put in a cracking first run when second in soft ground at Carlisle. She switches to the all-weather with scope for any amount of progression and if she handles it should open her account.
Race 4 No6 THAISA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
On her return from a freshening break THAISA can beat Fierce Fortitude in this 1400 metres maiden. The selection troubled the judge in a first time hood at Haydock back in May when running with the choke out. It was therefore a solid effort to be beaten around a length, and she’s done well for her time out.
Race 6 No7 BAZBALL
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Barry McHugh
BAZBALL has indicated by earning on his last two starts that she’s on the edge of such needed breakthrough. Her latest of three career successes happened two years ago but she has the points on the board for a stable that has just a small number for the Flat.
Race 7 No7 SAISONS D’OR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: J Garritty
As the outsider in this 1400 metres contest on the straight course SAISONS D’OR has an opportunity to lead from gate to wire. After scoring at the basement level at Catterick he was only run out of it in the closing stages of a better race at Southwell. He’s a three times winner here and has been placed n numerous occasions, and as he could get onto an easy lead he looks over priced.
