Race Week 4 Preview - London & The South aiming to claim top spot at Windsor

London & The South looks to replicate a brilliant Windsor fixture from 12 months ago as night four of Racing League takes place at the Berkshire track on Thursday, August 14.

Matt Chapman’s side sent out a winner and four second-place finishers as it racked up 193 points at Windsor in 2024, the third biggest weekly total in Racing League history.

Fast forward a year and London & The South sits second in the overall standings with 379 points, 16 behind front runner The East, and is one of only two teams alongside The North with two jokers still to play.

Chapman said: “All in all, we are in a good position. We have always been underdogs and are happy to chase. Charlie Fellowes has been telling the team manager WhatsApp group that he is home and hosed, but we will try to give him a run for his money. It has been noticed that The East does best when Charlie is on holiday, so presumably his return is not a good sign for them.

“I am really pleased that my trainers and owners this week have embraced the use of apprentice Jack Dace, who has a 100 per cent record for us after winning on his only ride so far at Yarmouth. He has four mounts at Windsor, which is a great opportunity for him to showcase his talents.

“I think we have a nice spread of chances across the card. On paper, Andaleep and Londoner look two strong contenders for Daniel & Claire Kubler in Race 28. Both looked slightly unlucky in the same race at Wolverhampton last time, when they may well have won had things gone their way.

“I am really looking forward to Andrew Balding’s Lieber Power in Race 27. He travelled very well at Chepstow and proved last year that he can back up at both meetings. He finished second at Windsor last year off a mark of 88 and lines up this time off 89.

“Jimmy Speaking is only 2lb higher in Race 26 than when winning at Yarmouth and is still unexposed over a mile. His connections actually wanted to try him over 10 furlongs, but I have opted for a mile again, so I thank them for playing ball.

“George Scott provides us with three runners, including the ultra-consistent Love Is The Law in Race 24. He is one of seven rides on the card for Richard Kingscote. We are hoping Richard will be able to wrap up the leading jockey award with a good showing this week before he goes to Hong Kong.”

The East leads London & The South after securing a maximum 40 points in the finale at Chepstow, Race 21, with Crowd Quake leading home Salamanca City.

Team manager Charlie Fellowes said: “I think we have patched together a boat with a few holes in it and, thankfully, we are not sinking quite yet! The one-two in the last race at Chepstow felt absolutely massive. We always knew Chepstow would be hard, but it had gone even worse than we expected until that point.

“I think this week is going to be another tough one for us. We have added Tom Dascombe and Rod Millman to the team and many thanks to those guys for coming on board – I think Rod’s horse Just An Hour in Race 23 will definitely have a chance.

“Stuart Williams has been an excellent supporter so far and, without him, we would be struggling. He has put another nice team forward for this meeting, including Radical Design in Race 24 and King Of Light in Race 25, who both look to have nice chances.

“Mr Swivell was an emphatic winner for us at Wolverhampton and steps up in trip for Race 28. I know Kevin [Philippart de Foy] is very sweet on his chances. That being said, I would be surprised if we are still leading after this week but, provided we can stay in the mix, that will give us a proper chance because I expect us to be strong at Newcastle and Southwell.”

Scotland made a promising start to season five but struggled at Chepstow last week, highlighted by a nightly total of 69 points, the lowest of any team. With an overall total of 328, Alex Steedman’s team remains in contention in fourth place.

Steedman said: “I think we have probably punched above our weight so far. Had we been able to get a result in the last at Chepstow, when I played a joker, that would have put us in with a real shout. As it happened, our main hope Rogue Impact did not run his race, which was a big blow.

“I think we have bits and pieces at Windsor, although the draw could have been kinder in places. A few of our horses were really undone by the draw at Chepstow as well, most notably Jim Goldie’s pair Woohoo and Montezuma. They go again this week in Race 22 and Race 25 respectively and probably look the pick of ours, even though the draw could have been kinder to Montezuma.

“I think Eazy On The Eye is interesting in Race 24 as well. He ran a belter at York last time, having set a fierce pace, and I think you can upgrade that effort. Then we have Ammes in Race 27, who looks a player judged on his last run at Goodwood.”

Race and winner graphics from Chepstow are available here

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