Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing, coming your way from AYR , Yarmouth , Kempton Park and Chelmsford City on 18 September 2025.
AYR
Race 1 No4 NORTHERN BRAVE
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
A quiet first day of the historic Western meeting can see NORTHERN BRAVE scoring at the first time of asking. His owners have enjoyed prolific success with Northern Express, and their runner today knows sufficient to make a mark.
Race 5 No3 POL ROGER
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
Dual course winner POL ROGER has taken a drop in the weights and after seven goes without a win this year is fancied to demonstrate his liking for the course and post a first triumph since the spring of 2024 for a stable that is getting its act together.
Race 6 No2 EPIVADROS (Nap)
Trainer: Karen Scott – Jockey: Kaiya Fraser
EPIVADROS has inched towards a first win of the season and is in calmer waters than when posting a midfield finish at York. She ran well on her only previous visit to this course, and can enjoy a productive autumn.
YARMOUTH
Race 1 No3 GOUKEN (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
One bet on a poor card for wagering is GOUKEN. He attracted plenty of support when running into one last time at Ffos Las, but is well regarded, and with a win today can shown that those losses were merely lent.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 5 No2 ALLEGRESSE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The nicest horse on view at this meeting is ALLEGRESSE who should repeat her course and distance triumph of last month under a penalty. She landed the odds laid on her by a near double figure margin, and is an exciting prospect.
Race 6 No7 KHAFAR
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: James Doyle
KHAFAR proved east to back but found only Imperial Ballet her superior on debut at Newbury. It was a very promising first effort from which she’s learned plenty, and in the silks of Sheikh Hissa she can go one better.
Race 9 No6 EARLY RELEASE
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Having knocked on the door EARLY RELEASE can deliver on just a second visit to this track in the nightcap. He’s made the podium on his last three outings including when second at Southwell last week, and can deliver under the champion jockey.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 6 No5 CAPTAIN BRUCE
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
CAPTAIN BRUCE came out of the wilderness to pop up here at the end of August when returned 18-1. The Awtaad gelding had shown nothing beforehand, but can successfully defend an unbeaten record at this course on the long journey from Yorkshire.
Race 7 No4 KINGMAKER
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Camelot colt KINGMAKER is relatively inexperienced on the AW and on this first visit to Chelmsford can post a breakthrough career success. It’s only his second run on Polytrack, but he’s worked well on it at home.
Race 9 No7 CAMPANI (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
One worth waiting for is CAMPANI who in three starts this year has left his 2024 form miles behind. After a couple of near misses he made no mistake at Brighton where he recovered from a sluggish start to score going away. The first time hood he wore that day is retained.
