Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing, coming your way from Epsom Downs , FFos Las and Newcastle on 28 September 2025.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 2 No3 ALFAREZ (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Shakem and Glacius are hard to separate on the book, but both could find the hugely promising ALFAREZ too hot to handle. The son of Nathaniel will have learned much from his first effort against Ancient Egypt at Goodwood where he wasn’t touched with the whip. In the colours of Saeed Suhail he can open his account on the way to better things.
Race 3 No2 ALCARATH (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Gamrai will go off at long odds on and should win, but for the other side of the exacta and a possible bet to nothing, ALCARATH gets the vote. The selection was no match for the more experienced Explode on his second start at Salisbury but that’s brought him forward, Furthermore he’s getting 7lb from the penalised favourite on an unconventional track that can host its fair share of upsets.
Race 4 No9 TEAM PLAYER (Each Way)
Trainer: Gemma Tutty – Jockey: Tommie Jakes
TEAM PLAYER has proved an owners’ dream since joining Tutty earlier in the year with figures of 13231. He’s a well balanced individual who should handle this undulating course, while his wins at Chester and Lingfield echo his versatility to act as well on sand as he does on turf. He went close in a Shergar Cup race, and makes plenty of appeal in current mood.
Race 6 No1 HOT CASH
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
HOT CASH has paid the price for being ridden too prominently, and making himself vulnerable at the business end of his races. The Carlisle winner was however forgiven a chance and finished well from off the pace on his latest outing at Doncaster. He’s dropping back in trip, but showed his liking for this track with success on his first ever run last year. It will be interesting to see how he’s ridden, because if held onto he should win.
Race 7 No4 WOODSTOCK (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
WOODSTOCK has enjoyed a bountiful time racing in the south since joining his trainer in the north. He scored twice at Newbury last year but hasn’t raced here since his final start for his previous trainer. He traded short in running when trying to gun his race at Doncaster last time, and though reeled in was beaten only three lengths. There are a couple of recent winners in the field in a competitive heat, but he looks value as the outsider.
FFOS LAS
Race 7 No8 EYE OF THE WATER (Each Way)
Trainer: Ron Harris – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
At the toughest card for wagering of the three in the UK today, EYE OF THE WATER could be a bet worth waiting for. The veteran looks to end a long wait for success, but put in his best run of the season when second at Bath to indicate there could still be a tune to be eked out of him.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No1 BLAZING SON (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Oliver Carmichael
BLAZING SON went up 3lb for a hard fought course and distance success last time. That is covered by his capable rider who takes 7lb off, and is good value for his claim. The combination meet a couple of other course winners, but that pair are not in as good form as the Nap, whose figures suggest he’s not finished by any means.
Race 5 No2 ALIGN THE STARS (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Although consistency is not his watchword, ALIGN THE STARS can enter calculations at a decent price. He’s been a regular at the big festivals through the summer, and after a very good effort at Haydock put in a poor run at Doncaster. There’s evidence from his solid run in the Ascot Stakes that he could regain the form that saw him rattle off a fine hat-trick last summer.
