Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, AYR , Fontwell Park and Huntingdon on 11 April 2025.
NEWBURY
Race 5 No1 SPIRIT MIXER (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The Newbury spring meeting signals the proper start to the turf Flat season, but with little form to go on in the earlier races it could be worth waiting for the powerful Balding/Murphy combination to provide a handicap winner. SPIRIT MIXER is by Frankel out of a Group 1 winning mare and the top weight can cut a dash on his seasonal reappearance. The Chester specialist was last seen amongst the stragglers in the Cesarewitch, but that was at the end of a long season, while now he is bursting for a run.
Race 6 No6 SPELL MASTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Another from Park House with a solid each way chance is SPELL MASTER. He troubled the judge in three very warm nurseries after opening his account at Goodwood and has plenty of scope for further progression. By his trainer’s 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko, and can get the best of a match up with a dangerous opponent in the hat-trick seeking HUSCAL.
Race 7 No11 CHIEF MANKATO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Although he has had to cope with training issues, CHIEF MANKATO is ready to post a first victory since his move to West Ilsley Stables. Since running on the all-weather the selection has finished second three times and placed on one of his other two starts. He put in some pleasing work earlier in the week, and a return to turf shouldn’t faze him.
AYR
Race 3 No5 HISTRIONIC (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Nicholls must always be respected with his novices when they switch to a handicap at the Scottish National meeting, and with that in mind HISTRIONIC fits the bill. He was a comfortable scorer at Chepstow, and that run has given him a confidence boost which can assist him in this competitive affair.
Race 4 No3 CREBILLY (Each Way)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
A drop back to his optimum distance of two and a half miles together with the arrival of better ground can prove the key to CREBILLY, who can gain an overdue first win of the season in the colours of JP McManus. The selection ran well before getting tired at the end of Cheltenham’s Ultima Chase last month, and should get into the podium if his sometimes suspect jumping holds up.
Race 6 No10 FLORIDA DREAMS (Each Way)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
One I like at the base of the weights in a race that should be run at a lickety split gallop is FLORIDA DREAMS. The Greystoke challenger has been doing his best work at the finish in top contests such at the Greatwood and Morebattle hurdles, and as a hold up performer should find those rivals coming back to him at the business end, making him a strong each way proposition as he moves up the distance ladder.
Race 7 No9 GALAHAD THREEPWOOD (Each Way)
Trainer: Ewan Whillans – Jockey: Murray Dodd
A speculative advice for the nightcap is for GALAHAD THREEPWOOD, whose chance is better than it looks in black and white. He’s put in three solid earning runs since returning to hurdles, and when sixth in a competitive Final at Kelso last time was detached early, but stayed on to be never nearer than at the finish. This race should be run at least as fast, giving him a chance to run into the money at a working man’s’ price.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 2 No1 SHERBORNE (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
One of the better bets of the day is SHERBORNE, and I will be disappointed if he doesn’t successfully concede weight all round in this handicap chase. It was over this trip that he ran out an impressive scorer at Exeter, while over a longer distance last time he jumped beautifully, and looked all over the winner until running out of puff over the last fence and on the run in.
Race 6 No4 BLUENOSE BELLE
Trainer: Richard Phillips – Jockey: Finn Lambert
This race has fallen apart, and BLUENOSE BELLE is the one that can take advantage. She’s by far the least exposed runner, and served notice that she can be effective in handicaps when claiming a podium finish on her latest start. Her cause is further assisted by the 3lb claim of her conditional rider, who knows her.
HUNTINGDON
Race 1 No1 BONGO MAN
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: James Bowen
BONGO MAN was doing his best work at the finish on jumps debut at this track from which he has learned plenty. With Bowen in the saddle he has a brighter chance than it looks to open his account against a long odds-on foe.
Race 2 No1 EL RAYO (Nap)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: James Bowen
EL RAYO is a big, raw individual, but after showing ability in a bumper remains completely unexposed. He wasn’t given a hard time when obtaining a mark on his previous outing, and looks fairly treated for this switch to a handicap.
