Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Ffos Las , Plumpton and Southwell on 5 April 2025.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No2 PALACIO (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
A cracking novices’ hurdle in which PALACIO can make a winning return from a mid season break. The confirmed front runner had a genuine excuse when underwhelming on his latest start at Hereford, and granted his good record fresh can prove a hare these rivals will struggle to catch.
Race 2 No4 NEWTON TORNADO
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis – Jockey: Ben Jones
Since winning a point NEWTON TORNADO has gone 32222 but there is nothing ungenuine about the six-year-old, who had the misfortune to run into a smart foe when beaten by Histrionic at Chepstow last time out. There’s nothing of that calibre amongst today’s opposition, and he can clock a deserved first success under Rules.
Race 6 No2 HOLESHOT
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: Alan Johns
HOLESHOT made it two from his last two in good style at Warwick and now races from 8lb higher. He’s dropping back to two and a half miles which should in fact help his task in completing what would be a fine hat-trick.
PLUMPTON
Race 4 No1 WARRANTY (Nap)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
In a tightly knit handicap hurdle, WARRANTY can prevail. The top weight had to be content with a minor podium finish behind Despereaux over course and distance last month but is weighted to take his revenge, while he is overdue.
Race 6 No8 ACE ARTIST
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
From a yard that always needs respecting with its bumper horses, ACE ARTIST is well worth a market check. By Jack Hobbs out of a multiple winner who was trained by Morrison, she’s shown promise and can trump the more experienced Aj’s Diamond.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No8 FERROUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
FERROUS looked very strong at the finish when making a winning return at Lingfield and figures to be competitive in this better race from a 4lb higher mark. The grey has stall 14 to overcome on the turning 1200 metres, but it should be remembered that he surmounted an identical problem when scoring at Kempton when having a second run back last season. He’s a progressive individual, and has always worked like a good horse at home.
Race 4 No1 WAY OF STARS
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
WAY OF STARS wasn’t quite able to progress from the promise of his first career start at Goodwood, but has done well for his winter break. The switch to sand and move up to a mile and a half should see him in a good light.
Race 5 No1 BLUE BOLT (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Considering she cost 400,000 euros as a yearling and is related to a brace of winners at Listed level, BLUE BOLT could prove the answer on career debut. The daughter of Blue Point is well drawn for her clash with the more experienced Shwaimah.
Race 6 No8 EAZY ON THE EYE
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Expert Eye filly EAZY ON THE EYE ended her 2024 campaign with back-to-back Wolverhampton triumphs. The form has been boosted, making her of considerable interest in this first run in handicap company.
