Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, York, Chepstow and Wolverhampton on 11 October 2025
NEWMARKET
Race 1 TOO DARN HOT DARLEY STAKES (Group 3)
No2 LIBERTY LANE
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
The Cesarewitch day card kicks off with a very open affair in which LIBERTY LANE can return to his best. He finished second in the same race 12 months ago and was made too much use of on his latest start at Ayr. This ground is slightly quicker than ideal for him, but he should cope with it.
Race 2 NIGHT OF THUNDER ZETLAND STAKES (Group 3)
No8 SPYCE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Too Darn Hot colt SPYCE hails from a yard still better known for its jumpers, but there was plenty to like about the way he opened his account with a last gasp effort at Yarmouth, with the principals pulling clear. He wouldn’t be in this race unless his trainer thought he was up to the task and at his lengthy price he’s worth supporting to surprise the Coolmore favourite ENDORSEMENT and Godolphin’s LOOK TO THE STARS.
Race 3 EMIRATES AUTUMN STAKES (Group 3)
No4 HANKELOW
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
HANKELOW cost a fortune but has happily for connections shown in two starts that he could be top class. He ran not a smart foe when second at Doncaster, and the cash that went west on him that day can now be recouped with a return to winning ways. Wootton Bassett colt STRAIGHT UP appears his main barrier success as part of an Aidan O’Brien twin attack on the prize. Godolphin’s AL ZANATY also has star potential, having impressed on his only outing.
Race 4 DARLEY DEWHURST STAKES (Group 1)
No3 GEWAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: James Doyle
GEWAN lost his unbeaten record in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster but I’m not prepared to accept the performance at face value. The Night Of Thunder colt was at sixes and sevens on the track and proved difficult to steer after hanging away from the whip. His previous triumph in the Group 3 Acomb at York Is very good form to bring to the table, and he can bounce back in a finish that should also include ZAVATERI and GSTAAD.
Race 5 CLUB GODOLPHIN CESAREWITCH HANDICAP
No9 BEYLERBEYI (Each Way)
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
The second leg of the autumn double has its usual massive Irish challenge of which BUNTING is the most unexposed and can prove the better of Willie Mullins’s runners. DAWN RISING is 7lb lower than when finishing just out of the money in the 2024 running, while JP McManus has engaged Oisin Murphy for the mount. Any money for ALPHONSE LE GRANDE could be construed as significant while REVEREND HUBERT has shown a liking for this track. Against all that, BEYLERBEYI is well worth an investment to bag the prize for an English stable. He’s made great strides since moving up in trip and races like he will get further. A first time hood can help him settle for Billy Loughnane.
Prediction: 1st BEYLERBEYI, 2nd Bunting, 3rd Dawn Rising, 4th Alphonse Le Grande, 5th Reverend Hubert
YORK
Race 4 No2 NORTHERN TICKER
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
NORTHERN TICKER impressed at York and was far from disgraced when sixth on soft ground in the Ayr Gold Cup. This is just the ninth race of his career, and on better ground he can bounce back. Irish challenger GLENEAGLE BAY interests me as one to have a saver on with blinkers added.
Race 6 No1 BERKSHIRE SUNDANCE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
On his return from almost a year off, BERKSHIRE SUNDANCE could be good enough. The chestnut has better form on the all-weather and when scoring on grass it was in the heavy. He frequently attracted market support, and before moving in it may be best to watch the market.
CHEPSTOW
Race 4 No9 FRENCH SHIP
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mickeal Nolan
Hobbs and his joint lance holder Johnson White have played a patient game waiting for some cut in the ground. Their runner in this featured Silver Trophy FRENCH SHIP brings very sound novice form to the table. He won and was second over this course and distance to add to his very solid bumper form, and is a horse to follow whatever happens this afternoon.
Race 5 No2 INTOSOMETHINGGOOD (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
INTOSOMETHINGGOOD has made hay this summer with back-to-back successes at Worcester and another at Bangor. The ground should be fine for him in this novices’ limited handicap hurdle in which another big earning run is on the cards.
Race 7 No13 RULE ME IN
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Williams throws the kitchen sink with three runners in the concluding handicap hurdle. RULE ME IN a won and finished second in as many starts for him in novice company and has the potential to make a successful jump into this discipline.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No4 SHARPNESS (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
SHARPNESS has troubled the judge on her last two of three starts ahead of this first run in handicap company. The Cable Bay filly has a good draw and if running as well as she’s been working should again get into the shake-up.
Race 9 No5 LHEBAYEB
Trainer: Richard Price – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
LHEBAYEB is a speculative choice in the final race of the day. The mare has been round the block a time or two but she’s finished in the money several times this season, while Hogan is a good booking for her.
