Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Saturday racing, coming your way from Newmarket, Haydock Park , Red Car , and Lingfield on 09 August 2025.
NEWMARKET
Race 4 NEWSELLS PARK STUD SWEET SOLERA STAKES (Group 3)
No2 MIDNIGHT TANGO (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Godolphin’s good record in this could be bolstered through a win for DANCE TO THE MUSIC, who skipped an opportunity last week to wait for a race on her home patch. She was a tidy scorer on debut but there could be value against her in the shape of MIDNIGHT TANGO. This filly has risen to the challenge to gain black type in a Listed race at Newmarket and then finish fourth to Fitzella in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot. That form was boosted when the winner took out last week’s Molecomb, while she only succumbed in the closing stages and looks over priced.
Race 5 No1 THE FINGAL RAVEN (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Having watched THE FINGAL RAVEN earn on all but be of his five starts in 2025 I think now is the time to step in. Three of those runs happened in Dubai last winter and he was given a good break before returning to domestic action at Royal Ascot. Thought sighted in the Britannia there he bounced back with a podium finish in Mudbir’s race at Sandown and that form has been heavily boosted.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No7 NEVER LET GO
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
NEVER LET GO did this column a massive favour when taking out the Sandringham at Royal Ascot after which Walker targeted this race remembering Dick Hern as her next step up the class ladder. The filly in in super form, and has benefitted from a nice break between that race and today’s.
Race 2 BETFRED ROSE OF LANCASTER STAKES (Group 3)
No2 CERTAIN LAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Veteran CERTAIN LAD was the last one to come off the bridle in the Group 2 at York two weeks ago yet seems to have been overlooked in this feature. The nine-year-old was only just thwarted by Anmaat in the corresponding race 12 months ago and can definitely outrun his odds. He’s capable of upsetting the applecart.
Race 5 No4 TROPICAL HEAT (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Now that she’s put her head in front, TROPICAL HEAT is a filly that can consolidate. Despite hanging to the right when making her challenge at Sandown, the daughter of Mohaather absolutely cleared away in the final 150 yards and is strongly fancied to follow-up.
Race 6 No8 HOT CASH (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
HOT CASH put in one of his best performances when second to Organ here at the end of May and then delivered at Carlisle. He tried to go from the front and was there to be shot at when out of the money at Southwell, but a return to this track will play to his strengths.
REDCAR
Race 1 No1 VALLEY OFTHE KINGS (Nap)
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Kyle Strydom
South Africa comes to the North East in the shape of VALLEY OFTHE KINGS who has a South African trainer and is by the leading sire in that country, Gimmethegreenlight. He’s run well to trouble the judge on both starts at Doncaster and sets the standard for the others in this maiden to aim at.
Race 3 No7 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Cam Hardie
MOUNT KING is a bit of an in-and-out character, but while earning on both visits to this course is in sequence to bounce back from an underwhelming display at Yarmouth. He’s seeking a third success of the season and if on a going day can win again.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No7 LYRA LEA (Nap)
Trainer: Rod a Millman – Jockey: George Wood
The fillies that should dominate this novice are drawn next to each other and I fancy LYRA LEA to outpoint the shorter priced Just A Girl. The Nap hasn’t attracted any support but run well to trouble the judge on both starts at Ffos Las and Wolverhampton, while her trainer is going through a winning streak with his two-year-olds.
Race 5 No3 SANDSCREENDELIVERD
Trainer: Peter Crate – Jockey: Tom Queally
A speculative choice in this 1000 metres sprnt is SANDSCREENDELIVERD, who showed with a much improved display at Sandown last month that he’s on the cusp of notching a first career triumph. His previous best run happened over tonight’s course and distance, which further boosts his claims.
