Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Brighton, Pontefract, Yarmouth, and Kempton Park on 05 August 2025.
BRIGHTON
Race 1 No10 FANCY DANCER
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Nicola Currie
FANCY DANCER underwhelmed at Windsor but had earlier scored at Wolverhampton and Bath. The Dandy Man filly has recovered well from those exertions, and can bounce back.
Race 5 No1 CHOURMO (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Gillard – Jockey: Luke Catton
CHOURMO carries 5lb more than when successful in the corresponding race 12 months ago, but has an apprentice taking 3lb of that difference away. While the five-year-old wasn’t at his best last time, he has earned on his two previous outings and is a three times winner on this switchback course.
PONTEFRACT
Race 5 No9 QUEEN OF STEEL (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Warren Fentiman
This staying contest should see QUEEN OF STEEL taking the spoils. The Nathaniel mare boasts a five race sequence of successes, two over hurdles and three on the Flat, and though beaten at Ffos Las last time she has the fortitude to bounce back.
Race 6 No10 THE GOOD BISCUIT
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Warren Fentiman
THE GOOD BISCUIT had shown little for Carr before arriving with a wet sail to score over course and distance last month. The drop to a sprint distance clearly benefitted the gelding. He had lost his way but is now back in the spotlight, and can consolidate.
YARMOUTH
Race 1 No4 REGALLY BLONDE (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Mr Paddy Barlow
Dual purpose performer REGALLY BLONDE takes the eye in this amateur riders’ contest having shown a liking for a similar track with her success and near miss at Nottingham in July. The mare is proven at this trip, and can excel on this first visit to Yarmouth.
Race 4 No1 PLAYTIME
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Rob Hornby
The dark horse in this maiden is PLAYTIME, for whom this is a first appearance in almost two years. The Sea The Moon gelding contested a couple of decent maidens in 2023 before going onto the injury list. Though no match for Remaadd at Goodwood, a repeat of the form would surely see him go close.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No1 HAVANA HALO
Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
HAVANA HALO needs to be taken seriously on this first handicap assignment, with the champion jockey in her irons. The bare evidence of her three starts to earn a mark needs close examination as she has run up against some useful opponents and was kept out of the frame only in a blanket finish at Windsor.
Race 3 No8 DEMETRIUS
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
A market check is strongly advised on DEMETRIUS on this first start in a handicap for Prescott. The son of Dream Ahead hasn’t attracted a dime of interest but in this new sphere and switched to Polytrack it could be a completely different story
Race 4 No12 RULER OF TIME (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
RULER OF TME looked sure to win at Haydock but threw it away by hanging throughout the final furlong. The Godolphin-owned colt is very well regarded by his trainer, and with the assist of that run under his belt should take care of business.
Race 5 No5 PETULA (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
On a very interesting card PETULA is a filly that could prove worth waiting for.The Calyx filly doesn’t have any fancy engagements but is a good looking individual, who has shown promise in her work.
