'I think we have enough chances through the card' - Wales & The West in pole position to win Racing League

Exclusive new customer sign up offers


FREE BETS


FREE BETS
Another thrilling climax looks in store for the Racing League at Southwell on Thursday night with 2022 champions Wales & The West in pole position to triumph again.
The all-red team lead London & The South by 41.5 points and The East by 63.5 points, while jockey Saffie Osborne heads the £20,000 leading rider award from Danny Muscutt and Billy Loughnane.
Wales & The West team manager Jamie Osborne said: “I think we have enough chances through the card, although all the races look very competitive. It is everything you expect Racing League to be and looks hard to find a winner.”
The team have once again filled their allocation for the seven-race card which kicks off at 5.45. Osborne said: “We pride ourselves on being able to get two runners in each race. It is a shame we had a very unfortunate non-runner at Windsor, otherwise we would have had the full 84 instead of 83.”
He added: “I think we look strong in four or five races, although I don’t think we have any weak spots either. The first couple of races could be pivotal. We have a little bit of a buffer zone and still have a joker to play – as do London & The South. The East is fielding a very strong team but they might just have too much of a deficit to make up.
“The leading jockey prize looks wide open and could go one of three ways between Saffie, Danny and Billy. Financially, it is a big deal and I would imagine all three of them believe they can win it. I would say the chances of me sharing Saffie’s cash prize if she wins are slim to nil!”
London & The South had the title snatched away by Wales & The West in 2022 and Matt Chapman’s side will be aiming to replicate a dramatic final night turnaround.
The East enjoyed a flying start to the competition, including a five-timer at Wolverhampton, but Chris Hughes’s team have found wins harder to come by in recent weeks.
Assistant team manager Charlie Fellowes said: “I think we have another really solid team for Southwell, some of whom have proper chances. We look very strong in the two-mile race with Sir Mark Prescott’s horse Warmonger and Manxman for Simon and Ed Crisford.
A total of 100 points are up for grabs in each of the seven races, with 25 points for first, down to one point for tenth.
Racing League standings after night five
Wales & The West 689.5pts
London & The South 648
The East 626
Ireland 579
The North 391
Scotland 347.5
Yorkshire 327
Read these next:

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, the reigning Racing Writer of the Year, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content
Published on inPreviews
Last updated
- David Jennings' Grand National tips and runner guide
- Tackle the Grand National if you dare! For unwary punters, the famous Aintree race still carries plenty of risk
- Harry Wilson bangs in a 14-1 winner at Aintree and has more tips for every race on the card
- Watch: Grand National preview show with Graeme Rodway and Jonny Pearson
- From Doncaster to Dubai plus Derby trials - spring has sprung and treats aplenty are in store
- Man Utd vs Man City betting offer: get 40-1 on either side to win the Manchester derby with Parimatch
- Grand National 2025 each way and free bets: compare bookmaker extra places offers + get £665 in free bets for today's big race
- Matchbook Grand National Free Bet: bag £50 ahead of Saturday at Aintree
- How to bet on the Grand National 2025: step-by-step guide for beginners with top offers
- Hewick Grand National odds, profile + get a £5 Paddy Power free bet
- David Jennings' Grand National tips and runner guide
- Tackle the Grand National if you dare! For unwary punters, the famous Aintree race still carries plenty of risk
- Harry Wilson bangs in a 14-1 winner at Aintree and has more tips for every race on the card
- Watch: Grand National preview show with Graeme Rodway and Jonny Pearson
- From Doncaster to Dubai plus Derby trials - spring has sprung and treats aplenty are in store
- Man Utd vs Man City betting offer: get 40-1 on either side to win the Manchester derby with Parimatch
- Grand National 2025 each way and free bets: compare bookmaker extra places offers + get £665 in free bets for today's big race
- Matchbook Grand National Free Bet: bag £50 ahead of Saturday at Aintree
- How to bet on the Grand National 2025: step-by-step guide for beginners with top offers
- Hewick Grand National odds, profile + get a £5 Paddy Power free bet