Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Yarmouth , Southwell , Redcar , AYR and Chelmsford City on 1 May 2025.
YARMOUTH
Race 3 No2 VERSE OF LOVE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
VERSE OF LOVE finds herself in calmer waters after flopping as favourite for the Nell Gwyn in which she was never going. The Newmarket maiden winner took a keen grip and became unbalanced when meeting the rising ground. Her trainer is using this as a confidence builder as the daughter of Siyouni is a lot better than that.
Race 6 No4 STELLENBOSCH (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
A narrow defeat by Swiss Lightning at Newmarket is strong form for STELLENBOSCH to bring to the table on her first run in a handicap. The daughter of Wootton Bassett is in very good order for this clash with Jowddah.
Race 7 No2 TRIPLE DOUBLE A
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
When opening his account at Redcar, TRIP!E DOUBLE A was never as strong as at the finish to leave his juvenile form a long way behind. He has clearly progressed through the winter and should make light of his 6lb penalty.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No5 KING’S SCHOLAR (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Jack Doughty
KING’S SCHOLAR has a top apprentice in his saddle for his first outing of 2025. He finished the 2024 campaign in winning form and rates a worthy favourite to take care of business now pulled back to a mile and a half.
Race 2 No10 KIPP KELLY
Trainer: Derek Shaw – Jockey: David Probert
KIPP KELLY has taken a drop in the ratings and signalled with a near miss at Wolverhampton earlier in the week that he’s ready to put his best foot forward. He had Street Life one place back, and can confirm his superiority.
Race 3 No6 MUSICAL ANGEL
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
MUSICAL ANGEL is a well related individual who claimed a cheque on both starts as a two-year-old in the colours of owner/breeder Jeff Smith. The money that came for her was parried by Jewelery at Newbury but there was no disgrace in that defeat.
REDCAR
Race 1 No4 ZAPPATA
Trainer: George Scott – Jockey: Liam Wright
ZAPPATA has all but a pound of his penalty for winning at Wetherby on Sunday wiped out by capable apprentice Liam Wright. He has been strong at the finish of his last two starts, and on a track that should suit can win again.
Race 3 No2 LOTHLORIEN (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Oisin McSweeney
Dandy Man filly LOTHLORIEN represents a stable that has started well with its horses in her colours. She gamely delivered on her only 2024 outing and has a useful apprentice taking 3lb off her back.
Race 6 No4 SEE THAT STORM
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
SEE THAT STORM went from strength to strength when completing an end of season hat-trick last year. Although 3lb higher and having a first outing in well over six months he clinched it over course and distance, and is effective on this terrain.
AYR
Race 6 No1 MARBUZET (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
This has cut up and MARBUZET can cash in. The top weight bumped into one on his reappearance at Redcar but competes from an unchanged mark, and will be straighter.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No7 KURAKKA (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
KURAKKA ran well on both outings on Polytrack last year and brings the best form to the table in this novice. He will enjoy stretching out to this mile and a quarter and is ready for his first run back under a jockey who is riding out of his skin.
Race 4 No4 HOLD THAT DREAM
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Lady With The Lamp and Arabian Dusk both have a recent run under their belts and will jointly command a huge chuck of the betting handle on this Listed feature. At a double figure price, HOLD A DREAM can get into the argument. She put in a career best when opening her account at Yarmouth and though needing to improve, she can.
