Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Exeter, Ffos Las, Southwell, and Chelmsford City on 18 December 2025
EXETER
race 1 No7 LASKO DES OBEAUX (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
LASKO DES OBEAUX wasn’t quite able to justify the support that came for him on his jumps debut at Chepstow, but the experience has done the four-year-old a power of good. He can with normal progression open his account for a trainer amongst the winners.
Race 4 No7 VISION DE MAINE
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
VISION DE MAINE usually needs a run to blow away the cobwebs and that looked the case when he weakened in the late stages of his first outing of the season at Ascot. He should benefit substantially from that solid effort, and can make life difficult for course specialist GYENYAME.
Race 6 No4 OLIVIA KATE
Trainer: Matt Sheppard – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
While this two miles is shorter than the optimum for her, OLIVIA KATE got the job done in convincing fashion when landing some good bets at Leicester. She was fully in control as her jockey sought out the best of the ground on the stands side, and in current mood has the wherewithal to make it back-to- back successes.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No1 CALM OLYMPIENE (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: James Bowen
CALM OLYMPIENE showed a liking for this venue with a snug success on debut under Rules and figures to prove hard to beat in a race that will inevitably become tactical. His French form makes him clear top rated in the four horse field, while the testing conditions will again play to his strengths.
Race 4 No3 STAMINA CHOPE
Trainer: Dave Roberts – Jockey: Lee Edwards
A cut back on the distance ladder did the trick for STAMINA CHOPE when she posted a convincing triumph at Leicester. The mare is now operating from an 8lb higher mark, but she looked to have plenty in hand at the Oadby course, and on similar underfoot conditions can follow up.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No1 BAKER BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Although he hasn’t run for more than 100 days, BAKER BLUE demands attention on debut for a South African trainer noted for improving new additions to his stable. The selection posted a number of earning runs before joining him, and should now have the ‘extra’ required to put the ball in the net.
Race 5 No2 DOWN TO THE KID
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
Herrington saddles two in this race around a lap of the track but even though he’s returning from a 200 day absence, DOWN TO THE KID could prove the stronger. He’d served connections well before embarking on that break, and shown his best form over this course and distance.
Race 6 No5 ZOULU WARRIOR
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
On the book there’s little between ZOULU WARRIOR and No Knee Never, who beat the selection at Wolverhampton last time. The first named horse is better off at the weights, and as long as he is alert at the gate can turn the tables and end a frustrating sequence of seconditis.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 3 No1 BLINDFOLD GAMES
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
BLINDFOLD GAMES just missed out on handicap debut at Lingfield and reappears only 48 hours later, dropped to the minimum trip and equipped with a first time tongue tie. Those tweaks can make the difference to the daughter of Mehmas, who can open her account.
Race 4 No4 RAVEENA (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Whilst not yet having lived up to the high hopes held for her by her trainer, RAVEENA appears to have been found a gilt edged opportunity to break her duck. When finishing second at Newcastle she was running on the all-weather for the first time, showing in the process plenty of natural pace which will serve her well in this drop to the minimum distance.
Race 6 No8 CHARLIE MASON (Each Way)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jack Doughty
Consistency is the hallmark of CHARLIE MASON, who though pitched in against some in form opponents is hard to ignore following a cracking effort when last seen at Newbury. Back from a short break he should get into the shake up.
Race 8 No9 HINCHINBROOKE
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam – Jockey: Harry Davies
After hitting the woodwork on his last two outings, HINCHINBROOKE can experience a deserved change of luck to belatedly open his account. In first time cheek pieces he should get the strong pace required for him to post his challenge in the closing stages.
