Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing, coming your way from Haydock Park, Salisbury, Southwell, Sedgefield and Lingfield on 04 September 2025.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 4 No1 DEMETRIUSTrainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
DEMETRIUS is in pursuit of a hat-trick in this handicap over 1400 metres and there’s every chance he will achieve it. The Dream Ahead colt is edging up the weights, but has looked better with each run since going handicapping, and is bred to enjoy the ground should it soften.
Race 5 No1 ALAMINOS (Nap)Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Kevin Stott
Under a penalty for his Thirsk debut triumph ALAMINOS can remain unbeaten. The son of Pinatubo achieved that on a quick surface and was fully in control in the closing stages. He can have the measure of Division, who didn’t enjoy much luck in running at Windsor, and for many will be looked at as an unpenalised winner.
Race 7 No14 CONDOTTI (Each Way)Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Jason Hart
CONDOTTI has twice started at big prices in his three runs in handicaps this year, but when going to Ffos Las a month ago he attracted a bundle of support only to run into the impression Nakaaha. It was however a career best from the selection, who off bottom weight could have more to give on only his seventh ever start.
SALISBURY
Race 6 No3 HOT CASHTrainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
HOT CASH underwhelmed on his latest start, but after a short break can come back refreshed and return to the level of his previous form that had seen him win at Carlisle and run well in a hot race at Southwell. The jury is out on whether a mile is his optimum trip, and it will be interesting if this enthusiastic galloper is handled with more restraint.
Race 7 No8 MEZCALA (Nap) Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
MEZCALA was a no nonsense winner at Lingfield that earned him a mark and has to be taken seriously now going down the handicap route. He made every yard to come home unchallenged, and had good form on grass prior to that. Back on turf with the same jockey in the irons he is strongly fancied to follow-up.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No8 SECRET SONATA (Nap)Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
SECRET SONATA skipped a race on turf last week and appears to have been found an equally good opportunity for a first run on Tapeta. The Showcasing filly has earned on both starts and should now have the wherewithal to get off the mark. She’s well drawn to attack, and looks the best bet in this card.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 2 No3 IVANE (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Sean Bowen
IVANE returned to fences with a near miss at Worcester last week. This is a quick reappearance, but he hadn’t run since the spring, and is fancied to make this a first chase win.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No3 TEAM PLAYER (Nap) Trainer: Gemma Tutty – Jockey: Finley Marsh
TEAM PLAYER has posted figures of 1323 since his move to the Tutty stable and benefitted from a change of scenery. After winning at Chester the chestnut troubled the judge at Hamilton, as well as running second in the Shergar Cup Classic at Ascot in which he went down by a neck to Tenability. Granted the consistent level of form he’s performing at, he has a good chance of another win on this second run on the AW.
Race 3 No3 THIS TIME MAYBE
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Tyler Heard
THIS TIME MAYBE was scratched from his intended race earlier in the week and now finds himself with a similarly goof winning opportunity in a more valuable pot. He was a course scorer over a longer trip in early August, ran well in defeat at Wolverhampton and will not mind pulling back to a mile and a quarter.
Race 4 No10 CRAZEE ICON (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Although she will be given a mark after this, CRAZEE ICON could prove value at a likely double figure price. She’s proved easy to back on both outings to date, but showed a bit more for a frame finish at Epsom, from which she can progress. She has a good draw, and should handle the Polytrack.
