Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Bath, AYR, Chelmsford City, and Newcastle on 9 October 2025.
BATH
Race 3 No4 MISS DOLLY ROCKER (Each Way)
Trainer: Roger Teal – Jockey: Rob Hornby
MISS DOLLY ROCKER might have been overlooked in the betting for this Listed feature. She’s done well in her races on grass since switching stables and importantly was in winning form when last seen in heavy ground over today’s course and distance. It’s true she has improvement to make in order to earn, but she’s the type of individual that could.
Race 4 No8 NICELY TIMED
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Home bred NICELY TIMED stepped up on her first run to trouble the judge at Ffos Las where she acted in the testing ground. The Time Test filly moves up slightly on the distance ladder and in an open race can prove the answer.
Race 8 No2 JOY CHOI (Nap)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Laura Coughlan
JOY CHOI is back fresh for an autumn campaign following a mid season break. The mare made the podium on her latest of three starts in 2025 to suggest she’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways for a trainer who rarely leaves this meeting empty handed.
AYR
Race 1 Num1 POL ROGER
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Rhys Elliott
After three seconds from his last four outings, POL ROGER would be a deserving winner of this apprentice’s race at his favourite course. All three of those near misses happened here, and under a rider that knows him he can add to his two wins at the track last season.
Race 2 No3 NORTHERN BRAVE (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
NORTHERN BRAVE made an eye taking introduction over a mile here when chasing home a couple of well regarded opponents. He’s going to be more focussed for a weak affair that he’s confidently expected to dominate.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No1 RIVER SPEY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
RIVER SPEY brings very solid credentials to the table for a race he should win. His earning runs in a Goodwood maiden and Thirsk novice read extremely well, while he put in a career best when fourth in a hot nursery on his only handicap outing at York. I expect him to go onto much better things as a horse to follow.
Race 5 No1 ABANDO
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Neil Callan
ABANDO was enterprisingly campaigned in Germany before joining Botti’s Newmarket team. He attracted a welter of support for his first run here only to disappoint at Southwell, but as there’s every chance he will go forward from it he gets the vote.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No9 TAYLORMADE LAD
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
In what could be a good day for the Dods stable, TAYLORMADE LAD looks attractive in first time cheek pieces and getting weight from all eight rivals. He’s been in good form since returning to grass, but has scope for progression on this Tapeta surface, and on his first visit to Gosforth Park.
Race 5 No6 PARISIAN SCHOLAR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Jason Hart
PARISIAN SCHOLAR appreciated stepping up to a mile when opening his account at Musselburgh where he overcame a slow start to score going away. The colt by Study Of Man can produce an action replay on this switch to the all-weather and appeals as the best bet on the card.
Race 8 No8 BETWEENTHESTICKS
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: James Sullivan
A breathing operation assisted BETWEENTHESTICKS to a trio of sprint handicap triumphs this season and on this rare run on sand the gelding can make it a fourth. He’s a past winner at Lingfield and Wolverhampton but this is a belated first visit to this course for the five-year-old.
