Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Sedgefield, Ludlow, Newcastle, and Chelmsford on 6 November 2025.
NEWBURY
Race 7 No7 BELIEVEITANDUCAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Philip Armson
At a huge price CELTIC ART can improve from his first run back, while MAITRE EN SCIENCE showed that a close season wind operation had benefitted him when troubling the judge at Chepstow. However, the one with more potential is BELIEVEITUCAN, who was a dual hurdles scorer from three attempts and only narrowly denied on a switch to Polytrack when last seen at Kempton last spring. That lay off is a worry, but if ready for this he can make his mark.
Race 3 No5 CAPTAIN HUGO
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
The eye is drawn to CAPTAIN HUGO who showed a smart change of gear to gain a first success under Rules in a Worcester bumper and whose stable has started the season running. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding jumps well and can finish in the shake-up along with the equally promising WILSTAR, who looks his main barrier to success.
Race 4 No9 KHRISMA (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
This first Newbury fixture of the season is one Henderson rarely leaves empty handed. His ace in the pack this year is KHRISMA, who brings strong form to the table courtesy of a near miss when last seen at Punchestown where she was heavily supported. The mare is in great form, and strongly fancied to make it a third success on the bounce in this race for Seven Barrows.
Race 5 No7 THANKSFORTHEHELP (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Several in form hurdlers clash in the handicap but one that makes abundant appeal is THANKSFORTHEHELP. In the McManus colours the grey was supported on a couple of occasions last season, but had to wait until his final of five outings to deliver. That happened at Punchestown, and is there to be improved on for a stable that provided the 2024 winner of the contest.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 2 No4 SWNGINGONTHESTEEL
Trainer: Rebecca Menzies – Jockey: Nathan Moscrop
It’s hard to look past SWINGINGONTHESTEEL who finished second and won a bumper at this course while also successful in that division at Musselburgh. He was ultimately well in command when landing some good bets for that first career triumph, and has far more potential than his opponents in this maiden hurdle.
Race 7 No1 KEEP ON COBBLING (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: David Bass
As an only runner at the meeting for her Shropshire trainer, KEEP ON COBBLING could prove a bet worth waiting for in the nightcap. Her form was never as good as when she opened her account at Stratford in April at the end of selective campaign. In the colours of Timpson boss John Timpson the grey can successfully graduate into handicap company.
LUDLOW
Race 2 No3 OCEAN CONQUEST
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Miss Amber Jackson
OCEAN CONQUEST made a winning return when backed from odds against to odds on over the course and distance last month. He easily cashed in on that class drop and the success has primed him for further success which should come his way under a different pilot in this amateur jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
Race 4 No1 MINNIEMUM (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
MINNIEMUM enjoyed a good season last winter, and having been made fitter by her return to action a month ago can defy top weight in a race her local stable took out 12 months ago. There’s not much of the well named selection, but she jumps well, and can outpoint the error prone favourite Easy Bucks.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No5 QUILT (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: George Downing
QUILT made a podium finish despite proving easy to back on her first run at Kempton. It was a fair effort by the hooded daughter of Ardad, who brings the best form to the table.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No1 CAPTAIN CAIRNEY (Nap)
Trainer: William Muir – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Captain Cairney can successfully defend a one race unbeaten record at this track. On his latest start he was a clear cut scorer when he quickened clear to show the mile and a quarter on Polytrack is just his bag. He’s gone up in the weights, but is very much the one to beat.
Race 6 No7 GIANT (Each Way)
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Luke Morris
A success for GIANT wouldn’t be out of turn in this Class4 sprint as the five-year-old has been narrowly denied on each of his last two visits to the course. He’s a one time winner and never been out of the frame in six attempts since joining Williams, and there’s no obvious reason why he can’t add to that fine record this evening.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
