Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Haydock Park, Worcester and Newcastle on 25 September 2026.
NEWMARKET
Race 2 PRINCESS ROYAL STAKES (Group 3)
No7 INIS MOR
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The better ground is going to play to the strengths of INIS MOR, whose trainer moved out of the cold division when Tribal Chief delivered at Goodwood on Wednesday. Her second in the Irish Oaks sets a high bar for her opponents to aim at, while there were excuses for her underwhelming display in the Yorkshire version last time. She’s reported in top form by Menuisier, and can prove the perfect wedding present for her handler who ties the knot at the weekend.
Race 3 BETWAY ROCKFEL STAKES (Group 2)
No9 SPIRITED GESTURE
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Colin Keane
SPIRITED GESTURE has built her two race unbeaten record on both turf and sand, with her AW triumph being boosted at Group level. The high regard her trainer holds for her is mirrored with an entry in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, and she can book her ticket for that by completing the hat-trick in the colours of Juddmonte.
Race 4 BETWAY JOEL STAKES (Group 2)
No 6 TALK OF NEW YORK (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
There’s been a recent resurgence in the fortunes of Godolphin which can be extended over a weekend of high profile racing at Headquarters. One of their first up is TALK OF NEW YORK who is entitled to outclass his foes on a return from a short break. His less then two lengths defeat by Bow Echo in the St James’s Place Stakes is an outstanding form line, while he appeared to be given an injudicious ride when arriving too late in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.
Race 7 No7 MYTHICAL GUEST (Each Way)
Trainer: George Margarson – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Although he hasn’t won for well over two years, MYTHICAL GUEST could give us a good run for our money at a double figure price. There was indication in his earning run at Yarmouth last time, and while back up in grade today he has won once and earned on six other occasions at his local track.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No4 KEEP GRATING (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Joe Leavy
KEEP GRATING opened his account when popular in the market at Yarmouth before acquitting himself well when second to Primal on his first handicap assignment. That Doncaster race was a strongly contested affair, from which he’s come out bouncing.
Race 5 No4 YORKSHIRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
YORKSHIRE has carded four of his six career successes on the AW but leaves the impression he can pick up a decent contest of grass before the end of the season. He put in a solid enough run when third to Arctic Thunder here last month and is back competing at the same level.
WORCESTER
Race 1 No10 PRAIRIE QUEEN ( Each Way)
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
PRAIRIE QUEEN returns from a short break, having made an early bid for glory in a handicap chase at Uttoxeter that cost her over the final couple of fences. This very good jumper was a game scorer at Hereford prior to that, and ran well when in the money on her only visit to this track back in June.
Race 3 No8 YOUDECIDE ( Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
YOUDECIDE landed some good bets when scoring easily on his first two outings this summer. He backed that up with a solid second to a revitalised Crebilly over today’s course and distance for which he competes off the same mark. This is a warm contest in which PEP TALKING should also go well, and is worth saving on.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No13 ARENITE (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
ARENITE hails from a stable doing well with its juveniles, and after three straight podium finishes brings the best form to the table. Dods feels the step up the 1400 metres today should be just the ticket for his Kameko filly.
Race 6 No7 BARLEYBROWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason
Consistency is the watchword of BARLEYBROWN, who has finished second in three of his last four visits to Gosforth Park. The six-year-old notched his last win over two years ago but that was at this course, where he is a four times winner.
Race 7 No8 ANTHROPOLOGIST (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
ANTHROPOLOGIST experienced a day to forget at Doncaster when in the ‘Legends’ race he was all dressed up with nowhere to go in the final furlong and a half with his pilot finishing with a full horse under her. It was nightmare viewing for his backers, but now back on the Tapeta surface he has strong claims to set the record straight.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
6, 4, 11 x 1 x 13 x 5, 1 x 7, 8, 2 x 8, 4, 9 x 8, 10, 7
R162
