Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Ascot , Thirsk , Sandown Park , York and Chepstow on 25 July 2025.
ASCOT
Race 3 No3 FIREBLADE
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: James Doyle
Blindedbythelights sets a high bar for his opponents to aim at in this stamina test run in memory of Brown Jack. The first three in the betting are in a compressed part of the handicap with FIREBLADE narrowly preferred to take the spoils. The Frankel gelding has done well as a cast off from the Gosden stable in winning once and finishing second in two of his other starts for Dylan Cunha. He fell prey to a very progressive rival in Pendragon at Sandown, and can now take his revenge by thwarting that horse’s stalemate.
Race 4 No4 PINHOLE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
This is a welcome drop in class that PINHOLE can take advantage of. The Frankel colt was popular in the market before weakening at the business end of the Queen’s Vase. However, he gained useful experience of this course and should find the shorter trip more his cup of tea.
Race 5 No1 WOODSTOCK (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Jason Hart
Although trained in Yorkshire, WOODSTOCK does a good amount of his racing in the south. The top weight surrendered a two race unbeaten record at Newbury but nevertheless ran well in defeat at that track at the start of the month. It will be interesting to see how he performs on the straight 1400 metres on a first visit to this neighbouring venue.
Race 6 No7 EMERALDS PRIDE
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Jason Hart
Another northern visitor carded to go well is EMERALDS PRIDE. The multiple scorer put in a snug delivery on a recent visit to Beverley to add further evidence that her stable is coming to the boil. Though 5lb higher in the weights this speedy mare is in good heart, and can win again.
THIRSK
Race 1 No2 CONJECTURE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
In the best race on the card CONJECTURE can shake off the attentions of Mandarin Spirit. The Nap is a beautifully related home-bred and primed to open her account following two near misses, latterly when running into the smart Radiance at Yarmouth, where the penny dropped too late.
Race 3 No3 DANDY STYLE
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
DANDY STYLE has fellow previous winners Flying Comet and Kinnalargy as barriers to success but the Dandy Man colt offers up very good value after opening his account in snug fashion at this course last month. He hails from a very speedy family, and at longer odds than his two market rivals looks the way to go for value.
Race 6 No6 NINETY NINE
Trainer: John Wainwright – Jockey: Jack Nicholls
Another progeny of Dandy Man worth considering is NINETY NINE. She was very easy to back on a recent visit here but put in an eye taking effort to make the podium. It was her second start of 2025, and should have put the cutting edge on her to demonstrate her liking for this course.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 3 No1 PERCY SHELLEY (Nap)
Traner: James Owen – Jockey: Mason Paetel
PERCY SHELLEY pays a price for his consistency but this looks a race the six-year-old can win. The former French-trained gelding looked a smart prospect in 2022 but has gone 18 starts without adding to his total during his time with two trainers in England. He put in a seasonal best when edged out at Chester however, and should appreciate this stiffer test.
Race 6 No10 TROPICAL HEAT (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Home bred filly TROPICAL HEAT appeared to benefit from a move up to 1400 metres when second at Haydock last week which is a run on which she can build. It was just a fifth career start for the daughter of Mohaather, who has scope for further improvement in the popular silks of Jeff Smith.
YORK
Race 3 No1 AMAKHALA WARRIOR (Nap)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
While it’s always tough for juveniles carrying penalties in novices it might pay to stick with Haydock winner AMAKHALA WARRIOR, who can confirm his superiority over Gold Dawn. The Nap has to concede 4lb to that adversary, but has come on a long way for his win.
Race 5 No6 TREASURE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Having looked an Oaks filly last spring, TREASURE failed to live up to her promise in both that Classic and the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot. She was however much more promising when chasing home Supermodel on her reappearance at Nottingham, and on revised terms is fancied to turn the tables with her rival in this Listed feature.
Race 6 No4 LADY ROXBY (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Rowan Scott
King Of Change filly LADY ROXBY has benefitted from a change of scenery and looked an improved sprinter under Herrington’s wing. She wasn’t stopping at the end of her recent Beverley win, to suggest a slight step up in trip won’t faze her.
CHEPSTOW
Race 5 No8 LHEBAYEB (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Price – Jockey: Elizabeth Gale
Representing a small local stable, LHEBAYEB would be a popular winner of this race up the straight mile. This is the shortest distance over which the seven-year-old has won, but her latest effort when second at Ffos Las was over 1600 metres and she has good each way claims to make this a fourth triumph of the season.
Race 7 No4 HARLINGTON (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tickle – Jockey: Taylor Fisher
All the races on this card are low grade but competitive and the best opportunity probably lies with HARLINGTON in the finale. He’s troubled the judge on a number of occasions, and his good effort in defeat at Ffos Las suggests he’s ready to post a first career success on grass.
