Five rides for Jack Mitchell as last year's top jockey seeks a first win of 2022

Last year's Racing League-winning jockey Jack Mitchell has yet to register a winner this time around, with poor draws to blame for a number of also-rans in the competition's previous fixture at Lingfield on August 11.

Mitchell captured the £20,000 prize in a thrilling finale a year ago, but he has work to do to catch this year's runaway leader Sean Levey if he is going to follow up.

The Newmarket-based jockey has five rides on the card for his local team The East, who gained some much-needed ground on trailblazers London and the South with a winner and a number of placed efforts at Lingfield.

Mitchell knows two of his mounts well as he rides out for their trainer Roger Varian most days and he is looking forward to getting some more points on the board.

He said: "I didn't ride in the first fixture at Doncaster as I had commitments elsewhere, but I was done by bad draws at Lingfield last time and I ended up with four fourths. Anyway, that helped get some points on the board which were badly needed."

Assessing four of his mounts at Gosforth Park, Mitchell said: "In the opener I ride Seven Pockets, who I've not ridden for a while, but he's well drawn and should like the track. Roger's other runner, Dinoo in the 7.15, I've not seen for a while, but he could have an each-way chance.

"I also ride Hotspur Harry in the 1m2f handicap at 6.15 who is not that well drawn, but Faustus in the last for Robert Cowell would have a chance."

Newcastle hosts round three of the Racing League on Thursday eveningCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Eloise Quayle, clerk of the course at Newcastle, said: "We had a bit of rain this morning which has helped the surface and we are looking forward to a great evening when it's forecast to be dry, sunny and 21C.

"We've not had as much interest as our other fixtures yet, but we are hoping for some healthy walk-up trade on account of the weather. We are using this as a dry run for the Racing League finale meeting back here on September 15."

ITV4 will once again show all seven Racing League races and the broadcaster has reported improved viewing figures for the second meeting at Lingfield when Frankie Dettori made his first appearance.

The average viewing figure for the opening fixture at Newcastle on August 4 was 79,000 with a peak of 118,000 and a week later at Lingfield there was an average of 123,000 and a peak of 167,000.

Team standings

London and the South 340
Wales and the West 269
The East 206
Yorkshire 182
Scotland 162
The North 158
Ireland 148

Jockey standings

Sean Levey 163
David Allan 107
Danny Muscutt 94

How the Racing League works

Thursday's meeting is the third in a series of six with the finale back at Newcastle on September 15.

Each field is capped at 14 runners with the aim of having two participants from each team in each of the seven races. A total of 100 points are available per race with the winner earning 25 down to the tenth-placed horse who gets a single point.

Frankie Dettori registered his first win in the Racing League at Lingfield a fortnight ago and is back with three rides for his team Wales and the West.

Racing League: round three card and betting

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