12–18 August 2025, UK Horse Racing Tips: Salisbury, Newbury & More

Get this week’s UK horse racing tips with previews of Salisbury, Beverley, Ffos Las, Kempton, Newbury and Ripon meetings, plus insights into form.

Every August, the racing calendar hits a sweet spot where summer form meets autumnal hints, and punters have plenty to chew over. This week offers a mix of listed contests, competitive handicaps and promising novice races. With meetings spread from Salisbury in Wiltshire to Ripon in North Yorkshire, there’s something for the speed merchants and the stayers alike. Let’s unpack the storylines, look at the form, and—just maybe—spot a wagering opportunity.

Before we dive into individual races, remember that good betting starts with good knowledge. If you’re new to wagering, our sport betting guide breaks down the essentials in plain language. Prefer virtual reels to turf? Our online casino guide covers those bases too. Now, onto the horses.

Salisbury’s Two‑Day Spectacle

Salisbury’s midweek double-header serves as a launchpad for future stars. The going is good to firm, and the track tends to reward horses that travel smoothly and quicken up the hill. From novices stepping up to listed level to fillies seeking black type, there’s real quality on show.

4:30 at Salisbury – Listed Upavon Fillies’ Stakes

A nine‑runner field of three‑year-olds and older fillies tackle just over nine furlongs. The ground suits those with a turn of foot, yet stamina comes into play up the rise. Azaniya, unbeaten in two starts this summer, graduates from novice company and could relish the longer trip. Revoir was caught late at Newbury on her last run and returns to a track where she’s already a winner. Miss Justice keeps hitting the frame and now gets William Buick on her back—does she need softer conditions, or is she simply knocking on the door?

• Tip: Side with the filly proven on undulating tracks—Revoir has winning form at Salisbury and should appreciate the test up the hill.

3:30 at Salisbury – Stonehenge Stakes (Listed)

This one‑mile contest for two‑year-olds has drawn a tiny but talented trio. Morris Dancer almost won Goodwood’s Group 2 Vintage Stakes and sets a clear standard. Clive Cox’s A Bit Of Spirit was a close second in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot and has course experience after a July win here. Mystic Moment steps up after a solid run at Sandown but appears to have a bit to find.

• Tip: Back the colt with proven top‑class form—Morris Dancer should make his class tell in this tactical affair.

Beverley: Northern Nuances

Beverley offers a contrasting experience: a stiff uphill finish and a draw bias favouring those drawn low over five furlongs. Wednesday’s two contests feature precocious juveniles and seasoned handicappers.

2:10 at Beverley – IRE‑Incentive EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes

This five‑furlong dash for two‑year-old fillies looks competitive. Catching The Moon showed raw ability when chasing home an odds‑on favourite at Leicester and will improve for that experience. Dragon Spin was collared late over course and distance and may set the pace again. Dark Angel Star shaped well in a York maiden and should appreciate this easier company. The wildcard is well‑bred newcomer Ophelia Grace from a yard that knows how to ready one first time.

• Tip: Look for progression—Catching The Moon ran green on debut but still finished second and can take a big step forward.

4:55 at Beverley – Racing Again On Sunday 24 Aug Handicap

This mile‑and‑half‑furlong handicap is the archetypal Beverley puzzle. Course specialist Park Street has tumbled down the weights and returned to form when a close fourth recently; he’s drawn low and should get a handy sit. Reginald Charles has been running well on the all‑weather and shaped as if a mile will suit. Tees George won over course and distance last autumn but hasn’t fired this term. Casilli, a five‑time track winner, loves it here but needs to bounce back.

• Tip: Trust the track specialist—Park Street has regained form and could exploit his low draw.

Welsh and London Evenings

While the northern action unfolds, there’s twilight racing in Ffos Las and Kempton. Maiden fillies and lightly raced three‑year-olds line up under different codes: turf in Wales and Polytrack in London.

6:55 at Ffos Las – Paned at 3A’s Coffee Shop Maiden Fillies’ Stakes

Over six furlongs, this maiden pits late‑developing three‑year-olds against one another. A Rose Adaay showed little on debut but hails from a yard whose fillies often improve sharply second time out. Bona Verba, an Irish import, has struggled but now switches yards. Lodge, by Churchill, is related to winners and makes a belated debut. With few miles on the clock, improvement is almost guaranteed.

• Tip: Back the newcomer—Lodge has the pedigree to shine and may have more upside than exposed rivals.

6:45 at Kempton – Unibet/Breeders Backing Racing EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes

Run over nearly a mile and a half on Polytrack, this race is a stamina test for inexperienced fillies. El Megeeth improved markedly to finish second at Ffos Las last time and should relish the extra furlong. Gold Penny caught the eye on debut at Newbury and has been given time to strengthen. Miss Herschel ran well on synthetic surfaces earlier in the year and returns to the all‑weather after a below‑par effort at Chester. Pearla has twice filled the runner‑up spot in good races and sets a clear standard.

• Tip: Stick with the filly proven at the trip—Pearla already has strong form and may simply outstay these rivals.

Newbury’s Saturday Showpieces

Newbury stages two Group contests on Saturday: one for stayers and one for sprinters. The Berkshire track typically rides fair, though the straight course can favour those drawn high when the ground is quick.

1:50 at Newbury – Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)

A small yet intriguing field tackles one mile five furlongs. Andrew Balding saddles both Alsakib and Furthur; the former is a seasoned handicapper while the latter was second in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot but disappointed at Newmarket. Pinhole, an improving three‑year-old, impressed when winning a handicap at Ascot and now gets Colin Keane back in the saddle. Epic Poet boasts solid staying form, including a second in the Yorkshire Cup. Nightime Dancer and Ambiente Friendly add further depth.

• Tip: Go with proven class—Epic Poet has mixed it with top stayers and should thrive back down in grade.

3:35 at Newbury – Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes (Group 2)

The feature seven‑furlong contest has attracted an elite field. Notable Speech, last year’s 2,000 Guineas hero, tries the distance for the first time. Stable‑mate Shadow Of Light was third in this season’s Guineas before two solid runs over shorter trips. Spy Chief and Witness Stand both come here off good runs in Group races; the former won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, while the latter gave his new trainers a dream success in the Lennox Stakes. More Thunder has been prolific in handicaps and now steps up. Throw in three‑year‑olds King’s Gamble and Alyanaabi, and you’ve got a mix of established stars and up‑and‑coming sprinters.

• Tip: Lean towards the proven Group‑race performer—Notable Speech may relish dropping back to seven furlongs and carries the class edge.

Ripon’s Six‑Furlong Bunfight

3:20 at Ripon – Great St Wilfrid Stakes

Ripon’s signature sprint handicap over six furlongs routinely sees a full field hurtling down the straight. Draw and pace can decide everything: stalls towards the stands’ side often have the edge on quicker ground. Course form is gold here—Dare To Hope won last year off a low weight and bids to follow up. Richard Fahey trains plenty of these, including Intrinsic Bond, the 2022 hero, while David O’Meara fields several speedballs. With so many in with a shout, punters need to pay attention to draw bias on the day and any market support.

• Tip: Side with a horse drawn high with proven Ripon form—recent winners like Dare To Hope often repeat the feat from a favourable stall.

UK Horse Racing Tips: Wrap Up

This week’s racing offers a cracking mix of juvenile promise, seasoned handicappers and high‑class performers. Whether you’re drawn to the thrill of Salisbury’s listed tests, the unpredictability of Ripon’s sprint or the quality of Newbury’s Group races, there are angles for every punter. If you’re looking for more ways to enhance your betting journey, explore our bookmakers page for trusted partners and the latest promotions. May your picks find clear passage, and may the racing gods smile on your docket.