Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newbury , AYR , Bangor-on-dee , Brighton , Nottingham and Thirsk on 12 April 2025.
NEWBURY
Race 1 DUBAI DUTY FREE FINESR SURPRISE STAKES (Group 3)
No5 SUNWAY (Nap)
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
All eyes will be on SUNWAY as last year’s Irish Derby runner-up returns in a race that remembers Ormonde’s trainer John Porter. He ran well in defeat in the King George and the St Leger, and was over the top when having more in front of him than behind in the Arc. This all adds up to give him a definite edge on his foes, and my news from Arundel is that he’s ready for this first assignment of the 2025 campaign.
Race 2 DUBAI DUTY FREE STAKES (Group 3)
No8 FORMAL
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Race 3 WATERSHIP DOWN STUD TOO DARN HOT GREENHAM STAKES (Group 3)
FORMAL is in transitional phase of her career on a first outing out of Park House Stables. The Dubawi filly impressed on her first two starts for Sir Michael Stoute only to flounder in the soft ground in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket. She needs to step up in order to take out this first recognised trial for the 1,000 Guineas, and I would recommend having a saver on SIMMERING, with whom Ollie Sangster did great things last year when landing the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot and p a Group 2 in France.
No5 JONQUIL
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Engaging in an identical start to the year is JONQUIL, who made two appearances out of Freemason Lodge in 2024. The Lope De Vega colt looked above average when winning on his Sandown introduction, but struggled on his only other run in a Listed race at Doncaster which is best forgotten as far as today’s trial is concerned. The big dangers to the selection are RASHABAR, who has been a model of consistency in Group company, and the less experienced CHANCELLOR.
Race 4 No11 URBAN LION (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Channon has set out his stall to land this betting extravaganza for a second year, but will it be with the 2024 winner METAL MERCHANT or the fast improving URBAN LION ? Metal Merchant ran well in a number of the major mile handicaps without adding to his laurels, and he’s been in very good form working towards this first outing of the new campaign. URBAN LION was a well supported winner on Polytrack at Chelmsford in February since when he’s also done everything right at home. He’s a longer price than his barnmate, but don’t let that put you off. JAMES MCHENRY is an interesting challenger from Middleham and should have a say, while SILVER SWORD is 4lb higher than for his win in Dubai, while his South African trainer is confident he will give a good account.
Prediction: 1st URBAN LION, 2nd Metal Merchant, 3rd James McHenry, 4th Silver Sword
Race 5 No13 POINT OF CONTACT (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Balding has done well with the horses owned by Saeed Suhail and POINT OF CONTACT can prove with a comeback success in this maiden that he’s another. The son of Blue Point was easy to back when troubling the judge on his only start here last July, and is considered ready to do himself justice on a first subsequent outing.
Race 6 No8 WHATCOMBE (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Hector Crouch
By way of his name, WHATCOMBE has plenty to live up to for that training establishment’s long time owner Cole. He showed promise on heavy ground at Salisbury and now has a tongue tie added, but he should be just as effective on the quicker terrain, and a big run is in the offing.
Race 7 No1 METALLO (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
An examination of METALLO’s form reveals that in his career he has run into some smart opponents. He was unlucky not to score at least once on sand during the winter, and should be equally as happy now returned to grass. He’s been in very good order at home, and Rossa Ryan is an equally big tick against his name.
AYR
Race 2 No4 PIC ROC (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
A fascinating novices’ handicap chase can see PIC ROC bounce back from a run that is best forgotten at Cheltenham. It’s vital for the seven-year-old to gallop close to the pace, but after a couple of false starts he was left flat footed in the Jack Richards and was wisely looked after. Moving up to three miles should help my Nap on this quicker ground, and as long as he breaks well he should remain in contention and enjoy a welcome change of luck.
Race3 CORAL SCOTTISH CHAMPION HURDLE (Grade 2)
No12 WELSH CHARGER (Each Way)
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: David Noonan
Though he is far from an obvious choice, WELSH CHARGER is not one to dismiss lightly in this historic contest. His success over Afadil on trials day at Musselburgh has worked out well, and as a winner of six of his eleven outings over hurdles he’s more progressive than most of his foes. Furthermore he is proven on good ground and will operate on this fast circuit.
Race 5 CORAL SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE
No13 SAIL AWAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
If the Skeltons are to hold out any hopes of notching the trainers’ title they need to take out this historic endurance test. Snipe and SAIL AWAY give them some hope of staving off a six-strong Willie Mullins challenge headed by CHOSEN WITNESS. While SNIPE has each way claims there is an allure about SAIL AWAY that makes me think he can go well, and without doubt his best effort for a long time came with his recent second at Warwick. He relished the track when scoring at this meeting in 2023 but now needs to prove he has the stamina for four miles, which is in the lap of the gods. Last year’s runner-up SURREY QUEST can make his track craft count and has to be of interest racing for a just a fourth time this season. OUR POWER has a touch of class and could easily defy his exaggerated odds by making the frame, while the Mullins-trained novice OLYMPIC MAN is another to bear in mind.
Prediction: 1st SAIL AWAY, 2nd Olympic Man, 3rd Surrey Quest, 4th Chosen Witness, 5th Our Power
Race 6 No6 CALIMYSTIC
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen
CALIMYSTIS is a very interesting runner out of Seven Barrows who makes abundant appeal in this novices’ handicap hurdle. She was in full control at the end of her Doncaster race last time, and now makes a big jump up the distance ladder to race over three miles.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 4 No1 WINCHMORE HILL (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
WINCHMORE HILL appeared to run into one when beaten as a short priced favourite here back in February. He looked to lack a change of gear when it mattered, but that could be alleviated by a step up to three miles.
BRIGHTON
Race 2 No3 BUENOS DIAS (Nap)
Trainer: Raphael Freire – Jockey: Jason Watson
Freire has made a positive start to his first season with a licence at Freemason Lodge. At Brighton’s first meeting of what will be another busy season at the seaside venue, a market check is strongly advised on Cotai Glory colt BUENOS DIAS who has looked promising in his initial work in Newmarket.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 4 No4 ARCHIVIST (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Harry Burns
ARCHIVIST is the final of three horses making their debuts for new trainers today after the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute. The Dubawi colt knocked on the door will find this terrain somewhat different to the testing conditions he encountered when second to Smoken over course and distance at the back end, but if handling it is the one to beat.
Race 6 No4 MANILA THRILLER (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Kevin Stott
MANILA THRILLER was highly tried after landing a touch in a Chester seller last year, but was all at sea on the heavy ground when readily put in her place on a visit here at the back end. This fillies’ handicap on better going should be just her cup of tea, and top northern Jockey Stott is an eye taking booking for her.
THIRSK
Race 3 No2 NORTHERN EXPRESS (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
NORTHERN EXPRESS more than paid his way in the major handicaps over seven furlongs and a mile last season, highlighting his campaign with victory in Ascot’s International Stakes at the King George meeting. This marvellously consistent performer was last seen finishing runner-up to the smart Grey’s Monument in the Listed Guisborough Stakes at Redcar. Now in a conditions race, he can take the spoils on the way to better things and is a horse to follow.
