Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Ffos Las, Musselburgh, and Southwell on 21 March 2025.
NEWBURY
Race3 No6 MYTHICAL MOON (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
A switch to handicaps can bring out the best in MYTHICAL MOON, who has troubled the judge on several occasions in novice and maiden company. He’s run into some highly regarded rivals along the way, but will not meet any tartars here.
Race 5 No3 HIGH TREASON
Ttrainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston- Davies
While he hasn’t so far this season reached the heights hoped for him, HIGH TREASON can start to turn things around with a victory in this stayers’ handicap chase. In colours made popular by Grand National winner Corbiere the six-year- old can demonstrate his preference for better ground by bouncing back.
Race 6 No13 I’M A STARMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Harry Cobden
I’M A STARMAN knows how to trouble the judge and off bottom weight can again make a podium finish, and at a price. He will act on the drying conditions, and with only three races under his belt this season is going to strip a relative fresh horse.
FFOS LAS
Race 4 No1 TOP OF THE BILL
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
TOP OF THE BILL showed that forcing tactics are his ticket in a couple of successes last season and his chance in this long distance handicap chase will increase if he’s again ridden handily. He’s endured an interrupted season, but gets on extremely well with his jockey, and can begin to make up for lost time.
Race 6 No5 WHISKEY YANKEE (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
From a yard that has unveiled some decent types in bumpers, WHISKEY YANKEE can make a winning start. He side stepped an opportunity earlier in the month but is now more fine tuned than he was.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No2 SUMMERGROUNDS (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
SUMMERGROUNDS has done much of his racing in the spring and in three outings this season been kept away from soft ground, resulting in as many frame finishes. This is a very good opportunity for the Phoenix Reach gelding to deservedly put one on the board.
Race 7 No2 CENTURION’S SISTER
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
The concluding bumper has cut up favourably for CENTURIAN’S SISTER, who after placing in a turf and all-weather bumper should be ready to open her account.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No6 HAWAIIAN KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Ryan has a good record when riding for Hills, so any support for HAWAIIAN KING might be construed as significant. By a champion sprinter trained in Japan, the selection has shown up well in his stronger work in preparation for this.
Race 6 No5 KING OF ITHACA (Nap)
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Rossa Ryan has another good chance with KING OF ITHACA, whose last three successes have all happened at this venue. Aside from that the Nap has finished second and third on his two other visits, and in current mood will take plenty of stopping.
Race 7 No7 LEON TROTSKY
Trainer: Julia Bir – Jockey: Sean Levey
LEON TROTSKY has made great strides in his short time with Bir, and on his first two visits to Southwell finished third and then won. It has marked a big upturn in his fortunes, and it would come as no surprise to see him consolidate.
