Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Salisbury, Nottingham, Southwell, Chelmsford City, and Newcastle on 2 October 2025.
SALISBURY
Race 3 No5 ILLY’S ROO (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
ILLY’S ROO has the advantage of a run under his belt from which he can go forward and prosper. The gelding posted a midfield finish when green at Newbury but will know more of what’s required and can earn at a price.
Race 5 No1 SWORD MAKER (Nap)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Murphy gave SWORD MAKER a peach when the combination scored at Doncaster where the Pinatubo colt attracted abundant on course support. He’s back into a conditions race from a handicap with very strong claims, as the race has cut up favourably for him.
Race 7 No5 GOODWOOD MOGUL
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Another plum mount for Murphy is GOODWOOD MOGUL who as the least experienced runner, but one with good form to his name, can open his account. The selection was earning for the fourth time in as many outings this year when second at Bath, showing that this mile and a quarter trip is what he wants.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 2 No4 DANCE OF ANGELS (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Nicola Currie
DANCE OF ANGELS made a good fist of it when claiming a minor cheque on her first run at Sandown. The Harry Angel filly kept on gamely up the final hill and has learned plenty from it, hopefully sufficient to stave off the challenge of Akirra.
Race 3 No4 WHO IS ALICE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
WHO IS ALICE has paid the price for being made too much use of on her last couple of starts but has a new jockey in the irons this afternoon. This 1200 metres looks a perfect trip for the filly as long as Bass is able to anchor her in the early stages, thereby leaving something for the business end of the contest.
Race 6 No6 SIR EDWARD LEAR (Each Way)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: George Wood
In an open contest SIR EDWARD LEAR looks overpriced and can earn. The gelding opened his account for the season at Newmarket and was dropping back in trip when leaving his challenge too late over a mile and a quarter at Chester. He also enjoys a bit of juice in the ground, and that’s on offer to him here.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No5 SHANTOU LUCKY (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Nathan Howie
Howie gave SHANTOU LUCKY a beautiful ride when the gelding successfully reverted to fences at Uttoxeter and Newton Abbot. The handicapper has had his say, but this greatly improved dual purpose horse looks in a good place to make it a nap hand of victories.
Race 5 No6 MASKED MAN
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: JJ Slevin
MASKED MAN can stand and deliver in the novices’ hurdle. He’s been sourced from a top stable in Ireland for high profile owners after a very impressive success in his only point. He jumps well and can add to his trainer’s good haul of winner over the past couple of weeks.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 4 No4 KARTINI (Each Way)
Trainer: Oliver Cole – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
Newcomer KARTINI arrives at the track with favourable reports from Whatcombe. She’s a speedily bred filly that hails from a family well known to her trainer and has prospects of downing a long odds-on favourite.
Race 7 No1 ARKENDALE (Each Way)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian- Jockey: Ron Hornby
ARKENDALE represents a jumps trainer that has done well with his occasional runner on the Flat. The five-year-old looked to cut for home sooner than ideal when caught in the final furlong of his latest start at Epsom. If he can be waited with, he could cause hat-trick seekerParish Councillor problems.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No4 TEAM PLAYER (Nap)
Trainer: Gemma Tutty – Jockey: Connor Beasley
TEAM PLAYER skipped an opportunity at Epsom on Sunday to wait for this AW race and it looks a smart move. The chestnut can add to his fine sequence of efforts since joining his trainer in an admittedly open contest.
Race 7 No4 CALL ME BETTY
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
CALL ME BETTY has put together a consistent run of form in her first season which entails just once finishing out of the money in seven attempts. Her only success happened on this Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton, but with a near miss here last time the Sands Of Mali filly indicated she’s ready to win again.
