Newcastle hosts a potentially pivotal night of Racing League action on Thursday, August 22, with the three main protagonists all fielding strong lineups.
Wales & The West tops the table with 571.5 points, placing the 2022 champions only 4.5 points ahead of London & The South with two weeks remaining, while early front runner The East is still within striking distance on 529.
Wales & The West’s team for night five includes the Ian Williams-trained duo of Night Breeze and Parlando, who were both in winning action at Windsor’s Racing League fixture last week.
Team manager Jamie Osborne said: “I think we are fielding a medium team in terms of strength. It has been tough trying to get 14 competitive runners together, but I think we are pretty strong in places.
“It looks as though the competition is going to come down to us three teams. Sadly for Kevin Blake, it looks as though Ireland’s chance was lost at Chepstow and, coming into the competition, I thought it could be between us and the Irish.
“I think we are relatively strong in the last race at Newcastle. Harry Charlton very much likes Ten Pounds, while Kingdom Come has fantastic form on the all-weather – he seems to grow a leg on the artificial surfaces and Clive Cox has been very happy with how he has been training.
“Ian Williams has last week’s winners coming back. Ian has been a great supporter of Racing League. He has a lot of horses that suit these races and is one of the reasons we have been able to maintain 14 runners most weeks.”
Jumby looks a leading contender for London & The South in the closing £75,000 handicap, with Eve Johnson Houghton’s runner 9lb well-in after his third in last weekend’s G2 Hungerford Stakes.
Team manager Matt Chapman said: “Windsor was a good fixture for us but, having said that, it was probably the strongest team of horses I have ever put out for a Racing League meeting.
“I think we have overachieved to this point, thanks to the likes of Andrew Balding, Jack Channon, the Kublers and Eve Johnson Houghton, who have really gone for it. You contrast it to Kevin Blake’s performance and it makes you realise how well we have done!
“I think Andrew Balding has some key contenders for us at Newcastle – Storm Star was just touched off earlier in the competition at Yarmouth and steps up to a mile for the first time, while Who’s Glen is an unexposed handicap debutant in the 7.15pm.
“Daniel & Claire Kubler have big hopes for Accrual and Al Ruffa, with both horses coming in on the back of second place finishes, while it’s great to have Ben Brookhouse on board with Lucky’s Dream and Secret Beach.”
The East’s assistant team manager Charlie Fellowes is hopeful his team can recover after seeing a three-digit lead slip away at Chepstow and Windsor.
Fellowes said: “The last couple of weeks have been a chastening experience, although we kind of knew that would be the case. To come through those meetings 40 points down still leaves us in the mix and, when you look at our squad for Newcastle, I think we are entitled to be quietly confident.
“Fox Legacy under a 6lb penalty looks the most obvious contender, as he has gone up 16lb for his win at Salisbury last week, while the Sir Mark Prescott filly Almudena is on a roll in the opening race, with connections keen to book her in for this a long time ago.
“I think I send two nice chances there myself including Glam Squad, who has already won at the Racing League this year. My other runner Kodi Lion won a highly competitive Ascot handicap last time out and also looks to be on the up.
“James Fanshawe’s horse Hickory is another one to look out for, and I think all five of the horses I’ve mentioned could go off favourite in their races. If some of our other runners can back them up, I think we will be in business.”
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