Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton, Exeter,Leicester and Newcastle on 17 November 2025.
PLUMPTON
Race 1 No3 CALVINO
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Nobody rides this track as proficiently as Cobden whose mount CALVINO ran into a 33-1 tartar on his first run over hurdles at Newton Abbot, but has learned from that. The five-year-old acted on that tight left-handed course and now competes on an almost identical terrain.
Race 6 a No2 BALLYNAHEER (Nap)
Trainer: David Dennis – Jockey: Charlie Maggs
BALLYNAHEER is a good jumper who likes to get on with things and those two assets can stand him in good stead in a race that’s cut up in his favour. On this first visit to Plumpton he can back up his tenacious Warwick success of two weeks ago.
EXETER
Race 3 No5 SUPREME MALINAS (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
SUPREME MALINAS was a Listed scorer in her bumper season and brings vast experience into this first run over jumps for a stable starting to knock in the winners. While that form hasn’t worked out, her last outing at Sandown was in top company, and she only cried enough up the final hill.
Race 4 No1 REALLYNTRUTHFULLY
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
REALLYNTRUTHFULLY is the percentage pick in a tightly knit handicap chase that should make good viewing. He looked completely in his comfort zone when making a winning start over fences at Fontwell and is well treated on the best of his hurdles form.
LEICESTER
Race 5 No3 KICOUR LA
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
KICOUR LA finished second on his only start in a point and has shown promise ahead of this first outing under Rules. His trainer appears to have found a perfect opening for him, as this race has fallen apart, with Island Bridge appearing the only danger.
Race 6 No7 KALKAROO (Nap)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
KELKAROO enjoyed a progressive first season when scoring on his final of three hurdling starts at Fontwell and being placed in the other two. He landed some good bets in West Sussex, and has done extremely well for his summer at grass. He should prove very hard to beat.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No4 MY LOVE IS KING
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Luke Catton
MY LOVE IS KING is a beautifully bred son of Kingman whose dam was a Group class filly. He seems to have been found a weak novice for his introduction and is hard to oppose.
Race 3 No4 ILLY’S ROO
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
ILLY’S ROO opened his account at Salisbury and wasn’t beaten far on handicap bow at Haydock. The Australia gelding has trained well on the all-weather at home, and is fancied to bounce back on this first run on sand.
Race 5 No1 APPLESANDPEARS (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Jack Callan
APPLESANDPEARS did us a good turn when opening her account at the second time at asking at Chelmsford. She landed some good bets in style, and shouldn’t be inconvenienced by this return to a sprint distance under her penalty.
Race 8 No6 TIRIAC
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Barry McHugh
TIRIAC ran out of options on grass and now tries his hand on sand for the first time in his career. On a 31st career start that’s a gamble of sorts, but if he takes to it could be worth doing. He’s a risky proposition, but has the ability to win.
