Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park , Doncaster , Perth , Fontwell and Chepstow on 25 April 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 1 No6 QUEEN ALL STAR
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre de Souza
QUEEN ALL STAR gained a second success from only three outings when returning at Wolverhampton where she displayed good track craft. The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor has trained enthusiastically for this return to turf, with de Souza the type of jockey that will suit her.
Race 3 BET365 GORDON RICHARDS STAKES (Group 3)
No7 SEE THE FIRE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
As the only filly in the field SEE THE FIRE faces half a dozen males but she should not be underestimated. Established horses like AL AASY, ALMAQAM and ARABIAN CROWN are big fish to fry but the daughter of Sea The Stars has very good form in her own right including a podium finish in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes. She’s trained enthusiastically, while her trainer’s horses could hardly be in better form.
Race 4 BET365 MILE
No5 DANCING GEMINI (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Teal – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Last season’s French 2000 Guineas runner-up DANCING GEMINI could hardly have been more impressive when taking out a Listed race on his reappearance at Doncaster. The son of Camelot blitzed his foes with a telling change of gear, and looks to have the weaponry required to make a big splash in the top Mile races this season. He’s strongly fancied to account for TAMFANA, and set himself up for races like the Lockinge and the Queen Anne.
Race 5 BET365 CLASSIC TRIAL (Group 3)
No5 WINDLORD
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
It’s very hard to draw a line through the name of any of the five in this established trial for the Derby. It doesn’t have quite the clout of yesteryear but nevertheless promises to throw up a decent prospect and WINDLORD could be that horse. The Dubawi colt troubled the judge on each of two outings here as a juvenile, while rounding off his campaign with a podium finish in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh. He brings good vibes to the track and can take the spoils at the main expense of I AM I SAID.
Race 6 No3 WINTER’S SONG
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
WINTER’S SONG created a very good impression on her Yarmouth introduction earlier in the month that could give her a slight fitness edge on some of her rivals in this very strongly contested novice. She’s impeccably bred for middle distances and can remain unbeaten
Race 7 No3 HOT CASH (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre de Souza
HOT CASH finished third on his return to action at Wolverhampton and is strongly fancied to turn the tables on the pair that beat him, CIRCUS OF ROME and PERFECT LIFE. in a slowly run affair he tried to make a big move rounding the home bend only to be forced wide by the eventual winner. That manoeuvre cost him both ground and momentum, and when switched inside he found himself short of room and with real estate running. The Too Darn Hot colt is well regarded at West Ilsley, and should operate more effectively in this first handicap assignment.
DONCASTER
Race 6 No4 LAST SHAMARDAL
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
LAST SHAMARDAL made a satisfactory move into handicaps when pipped on the post at Ripon over a mile. Reverting to 1400 metres today the Shaman gelding can make this a third success from only five outings.
Race 7 No4 DOTHAN (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Territories gelding DOTHAN put in a career best when second on his first run on sand at Southwell. He returns from a more than five months absence but could have been let in lightly on handicap bow.
PERTH
Race 3 No2 PRESIDENT SCOTTIE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
PRESIDENT SCOTTIE comes with risked attached, as he has plenty of ability but doesn’t always find as much off the bridle as it looks he will. If ridden with kid glove patience he could still prove a fair bit better than his foes in this novices’ handicap chase.
Race 6 No4 AIRE SPRAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Peter Kavanagh
Scorsese won easily last time and is carded to go off favourite for a race featuring a number of interesting candidates. Top weight Zainy Champ also comes into the reckoning but at the respective prices AIRE SPRAY is preferred. He boasts a very good record in handicaps, having scored at Carlisle and Wetherby and finished a creditable third in a better race than this at Newcastle.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 6 No12 SIMON THE SEAGULL (Each Way)
Trainer: Diana Grissell – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
The only bet on the card is SIMON THE SEAGULL, who although beaten a long way at Lingfield now encounters better ground, and could raise his game.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No1 WELL DICK
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Rex Dingle
Dour stayer WELL DICK has issues and either wins or fails to complete. A move to a new yard following a breathing op appears to have benefitted him, as he was in impressive winner at Exeter. He’s run well at this course in his hurdling days, and the five fences in the long home straight can help bring out the best in him.
Race 3 No3 PALACIO (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
Confirmed front runner PALACIO rates on of the best bets of the day on a switch to a handicap. His only success came on this terrain last autumn since when he hasn’t done much wrong taking on decent company. I fancy him to prove a hare that doesn’t come back
