Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Nottingham, Fontwell Park, Ludlow, Chelmsford City, and Southwell on 23 October 2025.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No5 TIRIAC
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Barry McHugh
TIRIAC could wipe the floor with his foes if he enjoys the rub of the green, but as we’ve seen so often with this soft ground lover he needs everything to fall right. He lost ground at the gate on his latest start which not for the first time meant it was ‘game over’. However with conditions again In his favour he can’t be overlooked.
Race 5 No11 WRYDCROFT (Nap)
Trainer: Pamela Sly – Jockey: Rose Dawes
WRYDCROFT has looked a different horse since being switched to handicaps and when scoring for the second time at Leicester did so with something up his sleeve. Under an apprentice who can get the best out of him he can show his liking for a step up in trip and complete a hat-trick.
Race 8 No5 VELVET WHISPER (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Archie Young
VELVER WHISPER has been a work in progress so far this year but after a career best effort last time is ready to show that a step up in trip in this competitive finale can bring out the best in her.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 2 No5 KOOL KID
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Doctor On Call is an unbeaten bumper winner who will probably start favourite, but one that can cause him problems is KOOL KID. He is more experienced, and brings winning form from Hereford to the table on this switch to hurdling. He’s a good jumper and represents value if close to his paper price.
Race 5 No1 GEORGE’S LAD (Nap)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Harry Cobden
With his stable in form, GEORGE’S LAD looks the most interesting bet of the day under top weight in this handicap hurdle. The five-year-old looked unlucky when falling in the EBF Final at Sandown. He might have won without that error, while his form in novice company before that marked him as being progressive.
LUDLOW
Race 1 No7 OCEAN CONQUEST
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Penalised Amancio might find it tough giving 7lb to OCEAN CONQUEST, who reverts to novice company after an underwhelming run in an Ascot handicap. Important to his chance is that he had good form prior to that, and has done well physically through the summer. Furthermore his stable is doing very well with horses of his ilk.
Race 7 No1 PEP TALKING (Nap)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Miss Gina Andrews
PEP TALKING has the best amateur on his back for this two and a half miler on a track that should bring play to his strengths. He shaped well when chasing home a decent foe on his reappearance at Huntingdon, and not only races from the same mark but is also down in grade, making him the one to beat.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 8 No11 CHLOE’S COURAGE (Nap)
Trainer: John Ryan – Jockey: Laura Pearson
I can’t get excited about any of the races on this card, however CHLOE’S COURAGE could prove an exception as she seeks to gain a deserved first win of the season in the nightcap. She gave notice that her winning turn is near with a strong finish at Brighton, and on that evidence will benefit from the return to a mile today.
SOUTHWELL
Race 6 No8 KOGE
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Counting Cards is interesting on his return after a breathing op, but just preferred is KOGE who although finishing last in a small field on his latest start should do better now moved into handicaps.
Race 7 No2 VALLEY OFTHE KINGS
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
VALLEY OFTHE KINGS found the addition of blinkers making a difference as he got off the mark at Wolverhampton. The super consistent performer might have had his confidence boosted by that win, and should again be in the shake up at the end of this better race.
Race 8 No1 MOAB (Nap)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
MOAB looks the better of two chances for his trainer at the end of this card. The dual purpose performer opened his account over a mile and threequarters here two weeks ago, and though higher in the weights is going to relish the step up in trip before going back hurdling.
