'He's not a graceful winner' - rivals take aim at leader Matt Chapman

Team managers Matt Chapman and Jamie Osborne have turned up the heat ahead of the third meeting of the Racing League at Newcastle on Thursday, with Chapman claiming Osborne needs success "to show he still exists".

The trainer retaliated by saying the competition's other teams are all desperate to take down the ebullient pundit because he "is not a graceful winner".

The playful war of words came as Chapman's table-topping London and the South (340 points) leads Osborne's Wales and the West (269) after the first two instalments of the six-fixture series.

Chapman, pundit and presenter for ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing, has been bullish about his team's chances, but is concerned they have performed better than expected and concedes they face an uphill task to extend their 71-point lead at Newcastle's all-weather venue.

He said: "I think our team has overachieved and it's going to get a lot harder in the north. The two Newcastle meetings, Doncaster and Southwell were always going to be very hard for a team based in London and the south."

He added of his nearest challenger: "Jamie Osborne is very determined. It's been a long time since he's had a big-race winner and I think he sees this as an opportunity to show he still exists, so he's taking it very seriously.

"We've built up a good lead, but it may not be enough, so we really need to crack on at Windsor. Any points we can add this Thursday we would consider a bonus."

Not one to shy away from trash talk, Osborne responded: "I think it's more likely that Matt Chapman needs the Racing League to stay relevant.

Jamie Osborne: 'Hey, Matt! I think this is our chance to eat into London and the South's lead'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"It's a great rivalry and everybody really wants to beat London and the South because of Matt. He's got off to a flyer, but in life I think one should be a graceful winner and a graceful loser, and Matt is most certainly not a graceful winner.

"We have a captain's Whatsapp group which clearly he doesn't use to improve his popularity!"

Osborne is eyeing this as the perfect opportunity to cut a weakened London and the South's lead at the top, saying: "I think this is our chance to eat into their lead. Matt is certainly putting out his weakest squad and we've got a slightly stronger hand with several chances.

"I would be disappointed if we don't score more points than London and the South, and I think we need to if we're going to make a genuine push for the title."

London and the South will have to cope without their star man Sean Levey, who leads the jockey standings with 163 points but sits out this week's meeting.

In contrast, Wales and the West can call on their own superstar in the shape of Frankie Dettori, who rides market leaders Postmark (6.15) and Cuban Breeze (8.45), and the fancied Zaman Jemil (7.45).

Racing League: round three card and betting

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