Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Uttoxeter, Wetherby and Southwell on 31 October 2025.
NEWMARKET
Race 5 No3 HELLO SPACEBOY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
There was much to like about the way HELLO SPACEBOY shaped on his York introduction from which he’s expected to come on in spades. The Starman colt has the wherewithal to take down penalised Castle Rock in this novice.
Race 6 No9 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
MOUNT KING rarely ventures out of Yorkshire but this strong traveller is back on a mark from which he can win. He’s been quiet on his last few outings but is overdue and today looks promising for him.
UTTOXETER
Race 3 No6 JUST GOLDEN
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
JUST GOLDEN was a smooth scorer when last seen in a Chepstow bumper and while returning from a long lay off will be fit enough to cause problems to the penalised Top Jimmy on his debut over jumps.
Race 6 No4 LUMP SUM (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
The nicest prospect on view at this meeting is LUMP SUM. The classy hurdler posted a second in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth as his season’s best last year and granted his ability to go well fresh this first run over fences, over which he has schooled well at home, should see him land the Nap vote.
WETHERBY
Race 5 No6 THISTLE ASK (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Tristan Durrell
Magistrato is on an impressive winning streak but THISTLE ASK was not expressed to score on his reappearance at Kelso last week and under a 6lb penalty can prove too hot for him to handle.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No4 BLACK MISSILE
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Ryan Sexton
BLACK MISSILE was easy to back at Leicester yet in troubling the judge showed he has his fair share of ability. Granted normal progression from that first run the Sergei Prokofiev colt can open his account.
Race 7 No4 NIKOVO (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jason Hart
Six race winner NIKOVO looked on the way back when beaten only three lengths at Newcastle last time. He finished eight, but that gives no indication of the value of the performance, suggesting back at Southwell it might be D-Day for him.
