Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Exeter, Sedgefield and Newcastle on 05 December 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 5 No3 CHAMPAGNE TWIST (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Point and hurdles winner CHAMPAGNE TWIST had a real cut at his fences when finishing third on chase debut at Aintree. He hails from a stable well-armed with its novices and girded with the benefit of that experience, can take the spoils in this three-mile handicap chase.
Race 6 No3 OCEAN CONQUEST
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
OCEAN CONQUEST attracted support on both winning starts this season at Ludlow and now has cheek pieces added. Though edging up the weights, he is clearly progressive and looked in good form in his final piece of work for this at Grange Farm earlier in the week.
EXETER
Race 2 No1 GENTLEMAN TOBOOT (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Jack Tudor
The positive effects of a close season wind operation mirrored the comeback success of GENTLEMAN TOBOOT at Newton Abbot, where he forged clear in the short home straight to dispatch an equally well-regarded opponent. The Pond House inmate has benefitted from that experience and can defy a 6lb penalty.
Race 3 No4 JOYEUSE
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
JOYEUSE ran into a smart rival when proving no match for Diva Luna at Bangor, but this looks easier. She wasn’t always fluent at her fences, but the exercise has sharpened her up, while she can capitalise on her sex allowance in this clash with BRENTFORD HOPE.
Race 7 No10 SAILING BY
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
SAILING BY put in an eye-catching performance when picking up a minor cheque on his Rules debut at Chepstow, from which he will be sharper. He faces a potentially dangerous rival in JPR TWO, who is worth a market check, but can play the experience card to winning effect.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 4 No4 NO MORE BOLERO (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Nathan Howe
Having skipped a good opportunity earlier in the week, NO MORE BOLERO should deliver in what looks a more straightforward assignment. The visored Nap was making just a second appearance over hurdles when showing abnormal improvement to score doing handstands at Ludlow, and though higher in the weights he should follow up.
Race 7 No4 GRAZEON SUNSHINE
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Brian Hughes
A blanket could have covered the first four on GRAZEON SUNSHINE’s Rules debut at Newcastle, which makes the form difficult to assess. However, there was much to like about the way he finished off his race, and he’s carrying stable confidence to list for this clash with the penalised TRIGG.
NEWCASTLE
Race 5 No5 BRAVE TRAVELLER
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
BRAVE TRAVELLER put in a career best when going down narrowly in a blanket finish on nursery debut over this course and distance. That’s arguably the best line of form on offer in the race, and he can go one better.
Race 8 No6 ORBITAL CHIME (Nap)
Trainer: Katie Scott – Jockey: Kaiya Fraser
As long as he handles this return to 1000 metres, ORBITAL CHIME should prove hard to beat. He’s 3lb higher than for his Southwell success at 1200, but with his tail up can maintain his good level of form.
Race 9 No4 CONCERT BOY
Trainer: Katie Scott – Jockey: Mr Eireann Cagney
From the same stable, CONCERT BOY can take out the nightcap. The ultra consistent gelding didn’t get the best of runs when trying to follow up a course and distance success but that was over a mile, and he’s back to his optimum 1400 metres this evening.
