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Team Ireland made a dent in Wales & The West’s considerable lead in the Racing League at Newcastle on Thursday.
With over 100 points splitting the two teams before the fixture, Ireland enjoyed two winners to earn them 146 points – the Johnny Levins-trained Nordic Passage in the six-furlong handicap and Alligator Alley in the £100,000 sprint. They have moved up into second place in the rankings, with 72 points to make up on the dominant Wales & The West in the final two fixtures.
Team manager Kevin Blake said: "I was hoping that tonight would be a big night for us. I am greedy, so you always think that it could have gone better, but we had at least one horse in each race show up really well. To have two winners is fantastic, especially playing a joker for one of them.
"I would not have been hiding my confidence coming here and could not believe the price [8/1] Nordic Passage was. I am not trying to be smart, but he was so well-in after finishing second last week – the Irish handicapper gave him 7lb but he got to run here off his old mark. I thought the market was a bit disrespectful of him. Johnny has them booming. He thinks very deeply about his horses. When he says the horse is 'bouncing', you would be an eejit not to listen.
"Alligator Alley looked to have a huge form chance on his run at York last week. I did not dream that he would be as forward as he was – he jumped too well – but Dylan was confident enough to sit and sit. He is a class horse and I know him well from when Joseph O'Brien had him. He has loads of ability but is not the easiest and David has done a fantastic job with him. I am pleased David has had a winner because I upset him in the week by not running one that he was really keen to run, so I am delighted he has won a big one!"
Jockey Saffie Osborne achieved a seventh win in this year's Racing League aboard Billy Mill in the seven-furlong handicap for Wales & The West.
She said: "Full credit to dad [Jamie Osborne, team manager]. I was in the car with him on the way to the sales on Monday, listening to all the stuff he goes through with the trainers, jockeys and jockeys' agents. He has done a stellar job organising while keeping everyone enthused and on side. Our team of trainers and owners have been so good, putting in lots of horses for us to run, and dad has done a fair job trying to keep everyone happy."
It was also a strong night for the East, who recorded victories with Sir Mark Prescott's Glenister and the Simon Pearce-trained Storm Catcher.
Racing League standings
Wales & The West 568pts
Ireland 496pts
London & The South 470pts
The North 405pts
The East 380pts
Yorkshire 344pts
Scotland 171pts