Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury , Haydock Park , Nottingham, Hamilton Park and Newmarket on 18 July 2025.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No12 RULER OF TIME (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
I’ve had a very strong message for RULER OF TIME who is well up the Godolphin pecking order amongst its juveniles, and unless running green should deliver for the ‘Boys In Blue’ at the first time of asking.
Race 6 No4 GOLDEN HANDSHAKE
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
GOLDEN HANDSHAKE opened his account with something to spare at Lingfield. He doesn’t appear over burdened for this first run in a handicap, and should follow-up in the colours of the King.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 6 No2 GREY JAGUAR (Nap)
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: Harry Davies
GREY JAGUAR is a beautifully-bred half brother to a dual Group 1 winner who was easy to back but put in an eye taking effort to finish second on his introduction over this course and distance. Should he make normal progression into this second start he should open his account.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 6 No3 SAN FRANCISCO BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Step by step SAN FRANCISCO BAY has closed in on a first success of the season and this looks like D-Day for the Muhaarar gelding. Though no match for a runaway winner over this course and distance last time, he has to be taken seriously off an unchanged mark.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No3 WALSINGHAM (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Mark Winn
WALSINGHAM is starting to realise the early potential shown in Ireland and he was a very tidy scorer over course and distance when returning from a protracted absence. Under a 5lb penalty she should win again, and is the best bet on this card.
Race 5 No6 DANDY’S ANGEL
Trainer: John Wainwright – Jockey: Tom Kiely-Marshall
Dandy Man mare DANDY’S ANGEL isn’t bred to stay this far but it seemed she was not stopping when scoring over 2000 metres at Beverley a fortnight ago. Off just 2lbs higher she can again be competitive, and should win.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 4 No3 NAHRAAN (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The Listed feature can see NAHRAAN remaining unbeaten and completing a hat-trick. The Make Believe colt steps up to what should prove a more desirable trip and though meeting sterner opposition is a horse carrying untapped potential, who should be good enough.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No4 QUADRILLION
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
On pedigree, QUADRILLION makes abundant appeal and she’s worth a close inspection in the market. Her dam was a high class miler and a Group 1 winner, and as an early foal she should have the maturity required to deliver at the first time of asking.
Race 4 No8 CATCH CUNNINGHAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Connor Planas
CATCH CUNNINGHAM can confirm last week’s superiority over Rocking Ends as long as he enjoys luck in running. Not for the first time this season he found himself short of racing real estate at a vital point and thought closing at the finish arrived too late. He remains a well handicapped horse and I think today can be his day.
Race7 No3 BONDI (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Joe Leavy
The nightcap is best left to BONDI, whose Windsor triumph afforded him a 5lb rise. The way he reacted to that step up in trip and first run in a handicap suggests there will be more to come.
