Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Leicester, Catterick Bridge, and Southwell on 28 December 2025
LEICESTER
Race 1 No6 ROI DU RISK (Nap)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
As a four-year-old taking on mainly older rivals ROI DU RISK enjoys a 6lb weight concession from ORDEROFTHEDAY that can swing it for the gelding. He made an encouraging start to hurdling when second at Fontwell from which he should improve, as most runners from the Knight stable do.
Race 4 No6 PEP TALKING (Each Way)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
PEP TALKING blotted his copybook at Wincanton which followed an all the way success at Wetherby. A line can be drawn through that form as he was found to have bled, and he’s well worth the chance to bounce back on a track that suits horses that are ridden positively.
Race No7 MOONSHINE MAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
MOONSHINE MAN lacks a change of gear but is a good jumper who might be able to win his race out in the country. He ran into a rejuvenated foe when second over this course and distance, and has the track craft to go one better at a working mans’ price.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No4 MUTUAL RESPECT
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian- Jockey: Jack Andrews
MUTUAL RESPECT doesn’t do anything in a hurry but this three times chase winner has a happy knack of getting into the shake up and a change of luck can befall him sooner rather than later. If reproducing his earning run at Wetherby last month he should be on the premises.
Race 4 No5 CRYSTAL DAYS (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
CRYSTAL DAYS underwhelmed in testing ground at Doncaster after doing too much close to the pace, but if ridden more patiently on this better surface can show the form to be all wrong. She’s in a warmer contest, but is going to be assisted by the step back to two miles on an easy track.
Race 6 No5 SOLDIEROFTHESTORM (Each Way)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Runners from this stable are well worth monitoring in the market, and that certainly applies to SOLDIEROFTHESTORM in this two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. The two times hurdling winner disappointed when last seen at Punchestown in April, but that was in a stronger race, and he’s run well following a break in the past.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No5 ALL MOONSHINE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
Oasis Dream filly ALL MOONSHINE troubled the judge on her Newcastle introduction, and on the same Tapeta surface can graduate past the only winner in the field, BOWFELL. She receives 12lb from that rival which from her draw inside the favourite gives her a real chance of downing him.
Race 6 No5 PLEASANT MAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Joey Ramsden – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
PLEASANT MAN has been easy to back and failed to cut the mustard on three outings since joining Ramsden. However, his trainer has had more time to get to know the Flat and hurdles winner, and if there’s support for the seven-year-old it should be heeded.
