Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Cheltenham , Newbury ,Doncaster and Southwell on 24 October 2025.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 No3 STONER’S CHOICE (Each Way)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Kielan Woods
A chance is taken on STONER’S CHOICE, who likes to dominate and has always run well on his first appearance of the season. This is his optimum trip, he will enjoy the underfoot conditions and if near his paper price looks a sound each way proposition. A danger who is well with a saver is CLASSIC KING, who didn’t quite make it over fences, but rarely missed the podium over hurdles. He has a good cruising speed and should get into the shake-up.
Race 4 No7 UN SENS A LA VIE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The people behind UN SENS A LA VIE think he could be bound for high honours this season. It’s hard to disagree when examining his very smooth Market Rasen triumph while the Twiston-Davieses rarely leave their local meeting empty handed.
Race 5 a No1 MATATA
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: JJ Slevin
MATATA is the most exciting chaser on view at this meeting and should take plenty of catching. A winner of the Fitzdares Great Park Chase at Windsor and third to Jonbon in the Melling Chase at Aintree, he operates well round here, and if still on the bridle coming down the hill will prove hard to catch.
Race 6 No5 PERCY SHELLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Sean Bowen
PERCY SHELLEY should have won more races on the Flat but the switch to hurdling seems to have sweetened him up judging on the way he sauntered home on debut under Rules at Uttoxeter. He’s taking a jump up the class ladder contesting this hot heat, in which LEADER CRIK also needs respecting.
Race 7 No15 SMUGGLERS HAVEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Sara Bradstock – Jockey: Miss Lily Bradstock
SMUGGLERS HAVEN can give us a good run for our money in the finale. The bold jumping mare has looked a natural since switching to fences, and after chasing home a well treated rival at Warwick can outrun her double figure price. She’s well treated on her hurdles form, and has been working well at home.
NEWBURY
Race 3 No7 SHIPBOURNE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Colin Keane
Frankel colt SHIPBOURNE has shown up well in his work at Kimpton and is excepted to attract plenty of support on his first career start in the Juddmonte silks. He’s out of dual 1000 Guineas winner Special Duty, and though this trip might be on the sharp side he is confidently selected to prevail.
Race 8 No17 CHARLIE MASON (Each Way)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Gina Mangan
CHARLIE MASON is a wonderfully consistent earner who can benefit from the presence of Mangan on his back. He will handle the cut in the ground better than most, and a return to turf should also benefit him after his narrow defeat at Chelmsford last time.
DONCASTER
Race 5 No4 GO VINCE GO (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
GO VINCE GO might be the horse to light up a typical end of season card on the Town Moor. He’s effective between 1000 metres and 1400 metres, will enjoy the cut in the ground and also the move up to 1200 metres. He can make this a third victory from his last four outings.
SOUTHWELL
Race 6 No9 KODEBREAKER (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
KODEBREAKER is an infrequent winner but he’s fancied to outrun his lengthy odds in this weak affair. He troubled the judge on his latest visit to this course and can raise his game to earn at a working man’s price.
Race 8 No8 THAPA VC (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
THAPA VC posted a rare success on grass on his latest outing at Bath and now has a chance to make it a tenth AW success retuned to the Tapeta surface. He showed gritty determination to get the job done on that occasion, and can follow-up.
