Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Ripon, Carlisle, and Windsor on 03 August 2025.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No4 THIS TIME MAYBE (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: George Bass
The Usher/Bass combo can spark a productive afternoon by taking out this bottom grade handicap with the consistent THIS TIME MAYBE. The Nap has troubled the judge in eight of his eleven attempts in 2025 and was a winner at Wolverhampton with Bass in the saddle before he rode out his claim. They tick a lot of boxes in this weak affair.
Race 6 No9 ROMAN SPRING
Trainer: John Bridger – Jockey: Joe Leavy
On a day that could prove rewarding for veteran trainers and horses, ROMAN SPRING can advertise his liking for this course. He is an infrequent winner, but interestingly his only career success happened just two starts back at Brighton, while he was only narrowly denied on his latest outing over today’s course and distance.
Race 7 No8 DARK SUN (Each Way)
Trainer: James Bennett – Jockey: Laura Coughlan
A value play in the nightcap could be DARK SUN who is the only horse to represent her trainer this season. The Dark Angel filly came out of the bargain basement but is doing well, and after earning on each of her last four starts should stretch that sequence and hopefully put her head in front.
RIPON
Race 5 No5 POET’S DAWN
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Jake Dickson
POET’S DAWN won here in 2020, and while most of his subsequent successes have been at Beverley there is a similarity in the two tracks. He was a deserving scorer last time, and in all but one of his five appearances at this course in 2025 he’s troubled the judge. Another prominent showing is on the cards.
Race 6 No5 GROUNDHOG (Nap)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: David Nolan
This is just an eighth career start for GROUNDHOG, who in each of his last two outings has signalled he’s a horse ready to win. He was closing in hand over fist on the winner Perfidia over 1600 metres here in June, and has been freshened up since that commendable effort.
CARLISLE
Race 4 No4 SECRET SONATA (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Baldng – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
As Balding’s only runner at the meeting, SECRET SONATA needs respecting. The Showcasing filly was green on her first run but a more polished display is anticipated and she offers up value against the warm favourite Portsoken.
Race 6 No5 GEMINI MAN
Trainer: Iaine Jardine – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
Dual purpose horse GEMINI MAN has performed well under both racing codes. He was a winner in handicap company at Hamilton two starts back and will appreciate returning to that class after a near miss in a classified at Ayr last time.
WINDSOR
Race 2 No5 ASTRAZAR (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
ASTRAZAR underwhelmed a little when fancied on his latest outing at Newbury. The cash that went west on the Starman colt there and on his previous start at Salisbury can be recouped with interest in this first division of the novice.
Race 5 No2 MARCHETTI (Each Way)
Trainer: Jimmy Fox – Jockey: Alec Voikhansky
MARCHETTI has been a fine servant to veteran handler Fox, and if enjoying the rub of the green can get into the argument in this low grade contest. She’s getting longer in the tooth, but will receive good assistance from the saddle.
Race 7 No10 KEEP TALKING (Each Way)
Trainer: Stan Moore – Jockey: Georgia Dobie
KEEP TALKING is only a speculative suggestion to post a shock in the finale, but she looks to be crying out for the step up to 1600 metres and this is 9n lay her second start in handicap company for a trainer who has been known to turn water into wine.
