Frankie fever! Dettori strikes on gambled Zaman Jemil for Wales and the West

Thursday: Racing League, Newcastle

Frankie Dettori was afforded the reception of the evening when steering the well-backed Zaman Jemil to victory in the 6f handicap for Wales and the West.

The Harry and Roger Charlton-trained juvenile was a 7-2 shot with bet365 on Thursday morning but was sent off the 11-8 favourite and breezed to a two and three-quarter length success.

It was a first win for the Jaber Abdullah-owned colt, who was making his all-weather debut.

Dettori said: "It's going smoothly. Jamie [Osborne, team captain] has picked my rides and I've had a winner and a third. It's been brilliant."

Form franked

London and the South are narrow leaders in the standings after week three and celebrated more Racing League success when Menai Bridge landed the mile handicap.

The Charlie Hills-trained four-year-old has been a model of consistency and took his impressive all-weather record to five wins from 11 starts with a half-length victory under Marco Ghiani.

Ghiani said: “It was a brilliant performance and I couldn't have asked any more of him.

"He wasn't great out of the stalls but I followed my team mate [Dan Muscutt] and it worked out perfectly."

Menai Bridge had a timely form boost prior to his win when Wales and the West’s Tregony, who beat him at Lingfield in week two, followed up in the 1m2f handicap.

Wales and the West team captain Jamie Osborne gives the thumbs-up after his daughter Saffie strikes on TregonyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Clive Cox-trained filly struck by three-quarters of a length and jockey Saffie Osborne said: "She was amazing. She was a bit awkward at Lingfield but settled really well here. She’s quirky but has so much ability, it’s just about keeping a lid on her."

Wynter wonderland

Wynter Wildes backed up her second on the opening Racing League fixture at Doncaster when landing the opening 1m½f handicap for The East.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained filly prevailed by half a length under Kieran Shoemark, initiating a double for connections who struck with Fresh Hope in the 7f handicap.

The North were on the scoresheet in the finale when Show Me Show Me – the team's sole runner – prevailed in a tight finish for Harrison Shaw and Richard Fahey.

The Racing League returns to turf next Thursday, with the fourth of six meetings taking place at Windsor.

The Racing League scoreboard

London and the South 428
Wales and the West 427
The East 332
Yorkshire 311
The North 258
Scotland 251
Ireland 164

Results, replays and analysis

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