Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Haydock Park, Yarmouth, Ffos Las, Wolverhampton, and Chelmsford City on 22 May 2025
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No7 TIME TO TURN (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The strongest vibes in this novice involve the Godolphin-owned TIME TO TURN. The close relative of Ivawood is Buick’s choice in favour of Maximised and he’s pleased Appleby in his winding up work for this in Newmarket.
Race 4 No1 BLUE DAY
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Hector Crouch
Top weight shouldn’t prevent impressive Ascot scorer BLUE DAY from adding to his laurels and confirming his superiority over Duran. The selection produced a telling change of gear to pass several rivals in the final 300 metres that day, and hails from a stable that has excelled with its sprint handicappers over the years.
Race 5 No4 PEARLA
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
PEARLA made a good fist of leading all the way only to be denied in the final strides at Newmarket. She had Silent Love one place behind her that day and is fancied to confirm her superiority on ground that will hold no perils for her.
Race 6 No5 HAVANA HALO
Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis – Jockey: John Egan
HAVANA HALO could be a juvenile that has gone under the radar, and needs respecting in this fillies’ novice. While mindful that this outing will qualify her for a mark, the daughter of Havana Grey has run well on both outings and was beaten only two lengths, even though finishing out of the frame, when taking on males at Windsor. Back over 1400 metres here, she can post a minor surprise.
YARMOUTH
Race 1 No3 CHERRY COLA ( Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Dawes posted her first success of the season for West on a similar type to CHERRY COLA last week. Her mount in this bottom grade handicap is well known to the jockey and should have benefitted from a needed comeback run at Windsor.
Race 4 No7 POSTMODERN (Nap)
Trainer: H Al Jehani – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
There’s nothing to go on form-wise in an interesting novice in which a market check is advised on POSTMODERN. The son of Too Darn Hot faces a well touted rival in Silent Applause though five of the last six favourites for the same race have been beaten.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No1 DOC McCOY
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Isabelle Ryder
DOC McCOY dodged an opportunity at Huntingdon to wait for this, and the tip should be taken. An all the way scorer at Fakenham, this is a totally different track but if getting the early initiative he should prove hard to peg back.
Race 3 No4 CULLIGRAN (Nap)
Trainer: John O’Shea – Jockey: Kielan Woods
Another who side stepped a recent engagement is CULLIGRAN for whom the going was considered too lively at Stratford. The mare is amongst her own sex for this first run over fences, which has cut up favourably for her.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No4 FLIGHTOFTHEPHOENIX
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Hills has been parsimonious with runners from his Faringdon Place establishment but I think he could have the answer to this fillies’ maiden with FLIGHTOFTHEPHOENIX. Although easy to back on her first run at Kempton the daughter of Phoenix Of Spain stayed on strongly in the closing stages and should have learned plenty from it.
Race 4 No7 BANKSMAN
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Although it was a weak race in which BANKSMAN finished fourth at Bath last week at least this flashy individual will have learned something. While it’s hard to be certain how much further progression he can make, this is also a weak affair, and he’s looked on good terms with himself at home.
Race 5 No3 POMME POMME (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
POMME POMME looked a different filly when moving into the handicap arena at Bath where she came home unchallenged under a strong ride. She’s 6lb higher for this follow-up attempt in which she can strike while the iron’s hot.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 4 No10 EXPLODE
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
EXPLODE was easy to back before making an eye taking debut at Kempton where he finished third to Fifth Column. He faces a stablemate of the winner in the shape of Mudbir who is better drawn, but in what should be a good match up between the pair Murphy’s mount might prove the value.
Race 5 No11 RIVER KING (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
RIVER KING proved a springer in the market when returning at Nottingham, only to run into the smart Excellent Believe. He faced an impossible task trying to bridge the eventual winner’s dozen lengths lead in the final quarter mile, and now returned to the all-weather should recoup losses.
