Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing, coming your way from Sandown , Thirsk , Ffos and Salibury on 29 August 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race3 No4 BECCADELLI (Nap)
Traner: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
There are good reports from Newmarket for BECCADELLI, whose connections have always to be respected with their runners in maidens at this track. The son of Pinatubo has a plum draw two off the fence, and can make light of his inexperience to score for Godolphin.
Race 6 No11 DOUBLE RED ( Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
From a yard that has saddled a shock winner this week, DOUBLE RED should start at a double figure price for the nightcap. The grey has enjoyed a bountiful year with back-to-back successes at Nottingham. Having troubled the judge in a better race last time, he now has cheek pieces reapplied, and looks the value play in an open affair.
THIRSK
Race 2 No2 CONJECTURE
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
With her figures of 22222 it’s easy to have doubts about the willingness of CONJECTURE though I don’t subscribe to that view. The daughter of Palace Pier has been backed on the last two occasions and though trounced by He’s Waliim at Beverley ran into a smart foe that could be anything. She tackles the full mile for the first time here, and can open her account.
Race 3 No2 BE THE STANDARD (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Jason Hart
One that makes abundant appeal is BE THE STANDARD, who brings Newbury form to the table after chasing home the impressive Bow Echo at that course. My Nap kept on well when headed after trying to make all, and I doubt anything will catch him if similar tactics are adopted today.
Race 4 No13 TIRIAC (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Mark Winn
There’s no question that TIRIAC is a well handicapped horse, but there is a question over when he will enjoy sufficient luck in running to open his account for his trainer. He’s been eyecatching on a least two occasions this year, and will be an even more potent entity should rain arrive, which it might.
Race 5 No2 NORTHERN EXPRESS (Each Way)
Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
It’s been tough for NORTHERN EXPRESS in nine races since he won the valuable International Handicap at Ascot last summer. Mercifully for the chestnut, he’s now been given a chance by the assessor, and a very good effort at York last week sends out a strong signal that he’s ready to win again. He’s a past winner at this track, and is favourably drawn.
FFOS LAS
Race 3 No1 AZURA
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Make Believe filly AZURA hails from a very good family that goes back to the Group winning Opal Tiara. Having shaped well on her Southwell introduction she can prove just as effective switched to grass.
Race 5 No5 PENN AVENUE ( Nap)
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Mohaather filly PENN AVENUE gained a first career win at Lingfield before finishing second at Catterick last month. She’s in very good order, and is the go-to horse in a race that shouldn’t take much winning.
SALISBURY
Race 4 No5 PAY ATTENTION
Trainer: Faye Bramley – Jockey: Ashley Lewis
PAY ATTENTION has proved a regular earner for her trainer this year whilst her apprentice jockey has an uncanny knack of getting his mounts into the frame. It should be a similar story tonight, with the combination a bright part of a tough night for punting.
Race 6 No10 GREY OWL ( Nap)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Tammie Jakes
GREY OWL has made the frame on the last 13 of his fifteen career starts. That includes a sole success at this course exactly a year ago. The Nap shaped well in a readying run at Lingfield the other day which should have brought him to concert pitch for a race that’s been on his radar for a while.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 No4 SHAMARCID (Nap)
Trainer: Sean Woods – Jockey: Kevin Stott
SHAMARCID improved for a move onto the AW when chasing home Rock Iguana on his second start at Southwell. The Shaman colt brings the best form to the table and is the only advice on a tough card for punting, where playing the exotics looks a better route to goal than trying to find individual winners.
