Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park , Nottingham, Brighton, and Chepstow, on 07 August 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 5 No5 PADUA (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Jack Dace
PADUA hails from a yard that hasn’t saddled many runners, but had an impressive winner at Goodwood last week. A cut back on the distance ladder assisted in his first career win at Haydock which was only his fifth start overall. He’s also well drawn for this Class4 run round a right-handed bend.
Race 6 No9 ARKENDALE (Each Way)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
ARKENDALE is a village in North Yorkshire that I know well, but that’s not the reason for advising a speculative bet on the horse, whose trainer is better known for his jumps operation. He was on the mark with a nice horse last week and Arkendale is capable with Oisin Murphy aboard of outrunning his price.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No7 PIAZZA (Nap)
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Two or three can win this fillies’ maiden but PIAZZA has the best form after making the podium on each of her two outings. She has shown a tendency to take a keen grip, but this was tempered by the addition of a hood, which worked on her Chepstow near miss last time.
Race 4 No4 NIGHTSINWHITESATIN
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Named after one of the greatest singles ever released, NIGHTSINWHITESATIN has earned at this track and ran well on a first run in handicap company. Now dropped on the class ladder she should give a good account.
BRIGHTON
Race 1 No7 RIVER WHARFE (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Molly Gunn
RIVER WHARFE has 5lb less to carry when successful in this race 12 months ago, plus the added benefit of his jockey’s 5lb claim. He’s been in very good order throughout the summer, loves this track and can stave off the attentions of stablemate Poetic Force.
Race 2 No4 MEDINILLA
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
MEDINILLA scored on her Wolverhampton return but got het up during a long delay on her next outing at Thirsk. She bounced back with a bold effort to make all at Catterick where she only succumbed in the final strides and should be equally at home on this easy track, in a race where she has greater scope for progression than her opponents.
Race 4 No5 VOIX DE BOCELLI
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Jason Watson
Both career triumphs of VOIX DE BOCELLI have happened over this course and distance, while he’s finished second on his two other visits. He’s been heavily supported on each of his last five outings, and Knight appears to have found him another very good opportunity, one in which he can again deliver.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No3 BARLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
At harvest time, BARLEY can prove a topical winner of this race up the straight mile. He’s knocked on the door, and though a tad disappointing last time, holds every chance on the evidence of his previous two near misses.
Race 4 No7 ESTRELLA DIVINA (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
The giant ESTRELLA DIVINA takes a big jump up the class ladder for this first run in a handicap. The daughter of Lope De Vega fairly streaked home on the all-weather to open her account and should be equally effective back on turf. She’s had her issues, but is the apple of her trainer’s eye. Consistency is the watchword of BELIEVE YOU ME who can get involved, while a market check is advised on WOBWOBWOB.
Race 6 No3 BEYLERBEYI
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Hat-trick seeking BEYLERBEYI brings the best form to the table having notched his recent successes at Garde 1 tracks of York and Newmarket. He tends to put together a string of good results which happened around this time last year, and while in current mood is difficult to oppose. This is however a good race for exotic wagering, and Irish raiders BESET and WINSTON JUNIOR should also be included.
Race 7 No11 MANILA THRILLER (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
MANILA THRILLER operates most effectively when having a strong pace to aim at, and such a scenario is on the cards in this 2000 metres contest which sees her making a first visit to this course. She got going too late at Sandown last time, but Chepstow’s long home straight should play to her strengths.
