Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing, coming your way from Ascot, Haydock Park, Bangor-on-dee, Worcester and Kempton Park on 05 September 2025.
ASCOT
Race 2 No6 RAAHEEB (Nap)
Trainer: Owen Burrows – Jockey: Jim Crowley
RAAHEEB is the standout runner in this 1400 metres maiden on breeding, being by Sea The Stars out of the classy Aghareed. In the colours of Sheikh Hissa the colt can open up with a win on the way to better things.
Race 7 No4 FORTY YEARS ON
Trainer: George Scott – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
FORTY YEARS ON is the most inexperienced but also the most progressive runner in the finale who has strong claims to complete a hat-trick. The daughter of Mayson won novices at Doncaster and Haydock on good ground, and on pedigree has a good chance of handling softer conditions today, with a return to seven furlongs also unlikely to cause her problems.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No7 LYRICS OF LIFE (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
LYRICS OF LIFE underwhelmed after being heavily supported on her debut at Newmarket in the spring. Given a freshening break, she raised her game on a return to HQ to chase home the very useful Evolutionist. The pair finished a country mile ahead of the remainder, making her the go-to filly over a trip she should enjoy. NANOSCIENCE is one to watch on debut as she’s beautifully bred, and might form the other side of the exacta.
Race 5 No8 YORKSHIRE QUEEN
Trainer: Grant Tuer – Jockey: Oliver Stammers
YORKSHIRE QUEEN ran green on her Musselburgh introduction when second to Born A Star. She’s a speedily bred individual who might prove too precocious for newcomers Lightning Polka and Vencedora, who are both well regarded and worth noting in the market.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 3 No4 MAGISTRATO (Nap)
Trainer: Deborah Cole – Jockey: James Bowen
MAGISTRATO benefitted from a peach of a ride when scoring from the front at Stratford. The seven-year-old came up for his pilot at every single fence which made the difference between victory and defeat. Bowen needs to extract that same accuracy from his mount, and if achieving it can guide the selection to another success.
Race 6 No2 IMPERIAL MERLIN
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: James Bowen
Five times winner IMPERIAL MERLIN is fancied to take out the nightcap in the colours of Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander. Though yet to score over fences he’s acquitted himself well with podium finishes on his last two hurdling starts. This is a competitive affair, but he’s got the ammo to take the spoils on the long journey from Malton.
WORCESTER
Race 3 No7 USYK (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
USYK troubled the judge on both starts at this level in the summer and should now be primed to open his account for a trainer with a good record with his bumper horses at this course. He’s been working well, and can provide a good omen for his stable which has strong representation in that division.
Race 5 No8 SEE THE GREEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Syd Hosie – Jockey: Rex Dingle
SEE THE GREEN is carded to start amongst the roughies for this handicap hurdle, but he’s definitely worth a look in the betting with a visor added. He had some good hurdling form for Tony Charlton, and after a readying run on the Flat now becomes his trainer’s first runner since coming out of a suspension.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No13 PAROLE OFFICER (Nap)
Trainer: SeanWoods – Jockey: William Buick
On form PAROLE OFFICER holds the cards after taking away a cheque on each of his last three of four starts. He has good form on Polytrack, and when third at Chelmsford last time looked like he would appreciate the longer trip he gets this evening. He’s also well drawn, with Buick an eye taking booking for him.
Race 4 No4 ASPULL
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Finley Marsh
ASPULL was a late starter, but has wasted no time in kicking his career into gear with a debut success and two placed efforts from as many outings through the summer. He’s therefore unexposed, and with room for progression for a trainer whose horses are firmly in the groove.
