Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing, coming your way from Newmarket, Haydock Park, Worcester, and Newcastle on 26 September 2025.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No10 NEVER LET GO (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
NEVER LET GO did this column a good turn with her Royal Ascot success and subsequently chased home a smart foe in Listed company at Haydock. Everything looks right for another bold showing from the No Nay Never filly, who is one to follow through the autumn. In a competitive race ARISAIG needs respecting and might be worth saving on.
Race 2 PRINCESS ROYAL STAKES (Group 3)
No11 UNDERSTUDY
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
UNDERSTUDY was a 40-1 roughie when second to Garden Of Eden in the Ribblesdale but was supported in subsequent defeats at this course and in the Prix Lady O’Reilly, a Group 3 at Deauville. In a tight knit affair she can have the edge over the progressive SILENT LOVE and REVOIR.
Race 3 BOYLE SPORTS HOME OF EARLY PAYOUT ROCKFEL STAKES (Group 2)
No7 SUKANYA (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Two fillies dominate the market in a warm heat but while the chances of TOULEEN and ZANTHOS are there for all to see, SUKANYA is a far from obvious pick. The Havana Grey filly wears a hood at home and in the preliminaries and can take a keen grip, but should this be run at a decent clip she has the ability to come through and claim a cheque, with Marquand an eye taking booking for her.
Race 4 BOYLE SPORTS DAILY RACING REWARDS JOEL STAKES (Group 2)
No5 OPERA BALLO
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Godolphin’s OPERA BALLO holds the cards after taking out back-to-back Listed races at Sandown and on the July course. He’s enjoyed a freshening break since the latest success and looks a horse to follow through the closing weeks of the season. He’s the type his trainer could campaign overseas, and can take this step up in class in his stride to end the unbeaten record of ZEUS OLYMPIOS.
Race 5 No7 PINHOLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Colin Keane
All eyes will be on multiple scorer ISLE OF JURA on his belated return to the fray. The six-year-old rolled out a nap hand of triumphs in an unbeaten 2024 campaign, but the lay off could have left its mark. BY THE BOOK is in some ways a pea out of the same pod, and I will take a chance that PINHOLE can return to his best. He was an authoritative scorer at Ascot and it’s worth drawing a line through his underwhelming effort in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. He should be at his best over this slightly shorter trip, and if held up.
Race 7 No13 MEZCALA (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
MEZCALA made no mistake when well supported at Lingfield only to run into traffic problems which he almost overcame on his first run in a handicap at Haydock. He’s a good prospect for Channon and owners Jon and Julia Aisbitt, and looks temptingly placed at the foot of the weights.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No6 NIGHT MISSION
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
NIGHT MISSION was a clear second best to odds-on Division here earlier in the month, but doesn’t have an opponent of that calibre to worry about. Granted normal progression he should go one better.
Race 6 No2 KLASSLEADER (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
KLASSLEADER didn’t have to come out of second gear when opening his account at Ffos Las. It bought him a handicap mark that he can start exploiting on the way to better things, as he’s proven on an easy surface and will find more of that through the autumn.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No11 GERARD MENTOR (Each Way)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Cieran Gethings
GERARD MENTOR has been an exasperating individual as he often finds less off the bridle than it looks like he will. That happened when he finished third on his latest outing at this track. He’s in a better race today, but that’s reflected in his price, and I expect him to get into the money, with ROCKS UP LATE the main barrier to success.
Race 5 No5 ICE IN THE VEINS (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
ICE IN THE VEINS did too much in the early stages when commanding plenty of interest on his jumping debut at Warwick. His exertions found him out at the business end, but if settling better today he can make this a first success under Rules.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No3 COEDANA
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
COEDANA found the move into handicap company a profitable one when scoring on this surface at Southwell. She was handed a 6lb rise, but even though this is a stronger race she can find the necessary progression to surmount it.
Race 5 No1 LIVONIAN (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Beckett has engaged a top northern pilot for LIVONIAN, who had Canopus four lengths in his wake when scoring at the second time of asking at Windsor. Though having to now concede 7lb to the same opponent he should confirm the placings, although Canopus should provide the other side of the exacta.
