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The Racing League heads North on Thursday with seven competitive handicaps on the Tapeta and Wales & The West will be hoping to stretch their already sizeable lead at the top of the table.
The Class 4 1m4f William Hill Epic Boost Racing League Race 22 Handicap (5.45) sees a wide-open start to proceedings with thirteen going to post. Last-start York runner-up Lizzie Jean should be bang there back on the all-weather, while Glenister who was disappointing when bidding for a four-timer at Brighton 75 days ago cannot be ignored after a break. However, perhaps last year's winner Wynter Wildes can repeat the feat. Charlie Fellowes' charge is two from three over course and distance and should get this run to suit with a good gallop to aim at likely.
Saffie Osborne and Wales & The West continue to take this competition by storm, and they may well be capable of having another winner in the Class 4 7f William Hill Bet In-Running Racing League Race 23 Nursery (6.15). The Charlton-trained I'm Puzzled has run well in a trio of qualifying outings to date and could be set for some substantial improvement now handicapping off an opening mark of 75 on his all-weather debut. First-time cheekpieces and the step up to 6f both look interesting for the top-weight Beechwood Star, while stablemate Classy Clarets only found a strong closer too good when runner-up over course and distance 16 days ago. Recent Leicester (nursery) winner Dan Dee Prince can also remain competitive under his penalty.
It's easy to make a case for plenty of these in the Class 4 7f William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Racing League Race 24 Handicap (6.45). Billy Loughnane takes a valuable 3lb off Half Nutz, who has gone close to getting off the mark for new connections with second-place finishes in recent starts, while Craven was a good runner-up over this distance at Thirsk last time and could improve now stepping onto the all-weather for the first time. That said, Yaaser is generally consistent around this grade and looks the one to be with at the early prices. Little went right for Jim Goldie's runner when second at Musselburgh (not clear run) last time and he can make amends nudged up 1lb.
Several need to be considered in the Class 4 6f William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Racing League Race 25 Handicap (7.15). Conquistador still leaves the impression there is more to come. George Boughey's runner finished a credible fifth on the turf at Windsor a fortnight ago and with a record of 2-3 on the all-weather, he may be up to getting back to winning ways now fitted with a first-time tongue-tie. A sixth career success is surely near for Nordic Passage, who has been narrowly denied on his last two starts including when beaten a nose over this trip at the Curragh recently. Hydration made it two from three in handicap company with victory on heavy ground at Doncaster last time and must be respected on his Tapeta debut alongside Champagne Sarah.
It's tough to rule out many in the 1m2f Class 3 William Hill Epic Value Racing League Race 26 Handicap (7.45) but a slender vote goes the way of Storm Catcher. Simon Pearce's charge produced a solid effort when third over a mile at Ascot a month ago and may find this more to his liking going back up in trip returning to an artificial surface (4-9 on the AW). The unexposed Moonspirit made a pleasing handicap bow when third over this distance at Chelmsford and remains open to plenty of progress, while previous course scorer Miami Thunder went down by a short-head here last month and cannot be ruled out stepping up in trip.
Team Ireland may be capable of landing the Class 3 1m William Hill Pick Your Places Racing League Race 27 Handicap (8.15) courtesy of Loingseoir. The seven-year-old bumped into an improving type when runner-up at Chepstow before finding a similarly progressive horse too good at Roscommon last time and he can regain the winning thread off an unchanged mark. Dangers look to include the consistent Arthur's Realm, who represents a stable in form and was third off 1lb higher at Hamilton
last time and the unexposed Parlando, who made a pleasing start for new connections when third at Newmarket (July) 19 days ago.
Alligator Alley looks to hold every chance of landing the concluding Class 2 William Hill Enhanced Odds Every Day Racing League Race 28 Handicap (8.45). David O'Meara's sprinter went down by a neck to the classy Equilateral in an arguably more competitive heat at York last week and he can gain compensation by being officially 2lb well-in at the weights. Rohaan is the class-act on the pick of his form and this previous course winner cannot be ignored at this level. Similar comments apply to Silky Wilky, who will find this easier than when down the field behind Highfield Princess in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, while two-time course and distance winner Fine Win must be considered after a solid-placed effort here in June.
RAS Selections
RACE 1 – WYNTER WILDES
RACE 2 – I'M PUZZLED
RACE 3 – YAASER
RACE 4 – CONQUISTADOR
RACE 5 – STORM CATCHER
RACE 6 – LOINGSEOIR
RACE 7 – ALLIGATOR ALLEY