Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Chester, Brighton, Stratford, and Chelmsford on 8 May 2025.
CHESTER
Race 3 No3 HIGH STOCK
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Balding has a soft spot for the Roodee and rarely leaves the track empty handed. The Park House handler could have the answer to the historic Dee Stakes with HIGH STOCK, who made a winning start in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket last month. That race rarely throws up Pattern horses but the Dubawi colt left a telling impression that he could be at least Listed class.
Race 4 LADBROKES BIG-VALUE YOU CAN BET ORMONDE STAKES (Group 3)
No1 ILLINOIS (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
It’s hard to look past ILLINOIS in the featured Ormonde Stakes, as the contest appears to have cut up favourably for him. Dual purpose horse ABSURDE adds lustre to the Irish challenge, but unless last season’s St Leger runner-up and Prix Chaudenay winner is in need of this he should take care of business and add to Aidan O’Brien’s fine record in the Group races at this fixture.
Race 5 No2 EL BURHAN
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Jim Crowley
EL BURHAN was a dual scorer at Yarmouth and Beverley before finishing third in one of the hottest nurseries of last season at Goodwood. He was supported on all three occasions, and having done well through the winter is ready to start his 2025 campaign on a winning note.
Race 7 No1 LADY VIVIAN
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hector Crouch
LADY VIVIAN makes her first appearance on grass and it should be a winning one. The Camelot filly didn’t need to be at her best to destroy lesser opponents at Southwell and has learned plenty from that first career success, Furthermore she represents a trainer with a great record with his three-year-old fillies at this course.
BRIGHTON
Race 7 No1 PORT HEDLAND (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jack Doughty
PORT HEDLAND has earned in successive races since being purchased at the sales and now switches to turf on a first visit to Brighton. He’s no star, but has shown enough to believe he can belatedly open his account for a trainer who excels with his many runners here.
STRATFORD
Race 5 No5 MY VIRTUE (Nap)
Trainer: Mel Rowley – Jockey: Murray Dodd
MY VIRTUE ended a select year with a Southwell triumph and a near miss at Hereford. With few miles on her racing clock she can make a winning start to the summer jumps season on a card where it’s difficult to get too carried away.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No4 MARAJITO
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Cam Hardie
The Easterbys are infrequent visitors to this course which added strength in the assertion that MARAJITO can take the spoils. The Ardad filly went close to defying odds of 80-1 at Southwell, showing improved form switched to an AW surface. She should have no problem moving up to 1200 metres this evening.
Race 3 No2 MARAAHEB (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
MARAAHEB put in his best work at the finish when chasing home an odds-on rival at Lingfield last month. That has teed the Sottsass colt up nicely for what looks a winning opportunity at a shorter trip.
Race 6 No9 HEERATHETRACK
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Tyler Heard
HEERATHETRACK can break from the rail in this 1400 metres contrast round almost a lap of the track. The grey has posted two of his three career successes at the course, whilst finishing second on numerous occasions. He should again be in the thick of things at the finish.
