Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday, 27 September 2025

NEWMARKET

Race 1 TATTERSALLS ONLINE ROYAL LODGE STAKES (Group 2)

No7 PACIFIC AVENUE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick

We should get some pointers towards next year’s Classics from the first Pattern race on a splendid card. Godolphin had a nice winner here on Thursday, but by their high standards could do with a boost and that can arrive via PACIFIC AVENUE. On reflection the grey’s poor start might have cost him the Solario Stakes at Sandown where he finished fourth when you could have thrown a blanket over the principals. He’s also going to relish the step up to a mile, and deserves another chance. Two unbeaten contenders might cause him the most problems, namely the Charlie Johnston-trained ANCIENT EGYPT, a son of Frankel, and paper favourite BOW ECHO who on second start landed a Listed race at Haydock in taking fashion.

Prediction: 1st PACIFIC AVENUE, 2nd Ancient Egypt, 3rd Bow Echo

Race 2 TATTERSALLS SCEPTRE SESSIONS CHEVELEY PARK STAKES (Group 1)

No9 TRUE LOVE (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Wayne Lordan

The first of two Group 1s is equally open. However there’s plenty to recommend TRUE LOVE, who wasn’t right when overturned as a 1-4 shot last time, but had previously landed the Queen Mary at Ascot and a Group 2 at the Curragh. Her trainer has harvested this race…….if this filly delivers it will be a sixth success for the Ballydoyle maestro since 2016, and she can. Preferred to her in the betting is ROYAL FIXATION who took the notable scalp of AMERICA QUEEN in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York. There was tremendous confidence behind the eventual runner-up that day. She’s a classy operator and I fancy her to turn the tables. True Love’s barnmate BEAUTIFY should enjoy a return to 1200 metres and brings solid form to the table which makes her a player.

Prediction: 1st TRUE LOVE, 2nd Beautify, 3rd America Queen, 4th Royal Fixation

Race 3 TATTERSALLS MIDDLE PARK STAKES (Group 1)

No8 THE PUBLICAN’S SON
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

I’ve seen stronger renewals of this Guineas trial in recent years and it makes the contest wide open. Horses like FIVE WAYS are making big steps up the ladder and reaching for the starts, and while he is a lively outsider the one that catches my attention is THE PUBLICAN’S SON, a well named colt by Beau Liam. Joseph O’Brien has engaged Oisin Murphy for his charge, who was a 40-1 no hoper when narrowly missing out on his debut in a Group 3 at the Curragh. Godolphin’s WISE APPROACH has the best form courtesy of his close up third in the Prix Morny (Group 1) at Deauville but is plenty short enough. COPPULL took out the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood in July but burned himself out in the early stages at Deauville. He could bounce back. KANSAS gives Coolmore a fair bite at the cherry and victory for this son of Wootton Bassett would be a poignant one.

Prediction: 1st THE PUBLICAN’S SON, 2nd Wise Approach, 3rd Coppull, 4th Kansas

Race 4 BET365 CAMBRIDGESHIRE HANDICAP

No7 URBAN LION (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex

It used to take a horse with Group potential to land the first leg of the autumn double, but I’m far from convinced that’s the case now. TREBLE TEE made no mistake at Doncaster a fortnight ago when finishing off his race strongly and has been a steady gamble for Simon and Ed Crisford. He looks to be crying out for this longer trip and should be in the shake-up. FIFTH COLUMN is 3lb higher than when scoring at York, and looks a pea out of the same pod. He ran well prior to that in the Golden Mile at Goodwood and seeks a fifth triumph from his last seven outings for John Gosden. FORT GEORGE has acquitted himself with distinction at Goodwood and York, and was a deserving winner at Newbury last time, when leading throughout. GREEK ORDER went out like a light at York where the quicker ground was against him, but he had solid form prior to that which if repeated would make him a contender. At longer odds URBAN LION is an interesting runner. He looked unlucky when fifth in the Hunt Cup and was ridden wrongly when trying to dominate at the Shergar Cup. From a poor draw he used himself up at York, but this is a different ball park and I could see the nature of the race suiting him.

Prediction: 1st URBAN LION, 2nd Treble Tee, 3rd Fort George, 4th Fifth Column, 5th Greek Order

HAYDOCK PARK

Race 3 No11 TILTED KILT (Each Way)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Andrew Mullen

TILTED KILT has shown on several occasions this year that he’s ready to add to his sole career success, gained on debut at Kempton last year. The latest happened at this course when he chased home Special Ghaiyyath while dead heating for second with Mezcala. That’s strong form, which if repeated would give him every chance of winning today.

Race 4 No7 LOST BOYS
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Hector Crouch

LOST BOYS is on a recovery mission after the cash that travelled his way at Ascot earlier in the month went west. In retrospect the Night Of Thunder colt was unlucky, as he was carried left when making his challenge but for which he might have won. He’s one of his trainer’s best prospects, and should open his account.

Race 6 No8 LYRICAL SONG
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman

The consistent LYRICAL SONG has been edging closer to a first career success which can happen on his handicap bow today. In well known colours the colt looks to have plenty going for him in terms of track, trip and the easy ground.

RIPON

Race 1 No4 BRAVE TRAVELLER (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Harrison Shaw

This should prove a belated 69th birthday present for Bryan Smart courtesy of BRAVE TRAVELLER for whom the race has cut up favourably. The Nap looked to be struggling for the first quarter mile of his debut, but when the penny dropped he stayed on eye taking fashion to claim a minor cheque. Granted normal progression from that he will be hard to beat.

Race 2 No7 FAIRYDALE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane

Conjecture is always worth taking on while paper favourite Assurance has also had a few chances. My eye is drawn to FAIRYDALE, whose run at Beverley on handicap debut is better than it looked. The daughter of Waldgeist has been a slow learner, but can do better and is definitely over priced.

Race 7 No9 SAWGRASS
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Pierre-Louis Jamin

Berkshire raider SAWGRASS brings a ring of consistency to the party and has a good chance to regain the winning thread in the nightcap. The Gleneagles filly has started favourite in four of her last five outings and will be better for her defeat at Salisbury where she attracted plenty of support.

SOUTHWELL

Race 3 No9 SHUMUS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt

The value in this stayers’ maiden is SHUMUS, who is the only filly in the field and receives the 5lb sex allowance. She ran well when second at Lingfield showing that she gets a mile and a quarter, and should enjoy the switch to turf over this longer distance.

Race 7 No1 BIRKENHEAD
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Barry McHugh

Midgley has done well with BIRKENHEAD since purchasing him out of the Channon stable. The top weight is just 1lb higher than his last winning mark, and has continued to give good accounts in defeat. He will be hard to keep out of the shake up and can win.