Joe McConnell
The chaos of Racing League week three began before the race with Sheep on the course and pouring rain, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of Saffie Osborne who hit a treble.
Team East arrived at Chepstow well ahead of the rest of the teams, but luck was not on their side this week, with no winners to be recorded for the leaders. However, Wales and West shone on home soil.
Saffie makes his mark with a triple
After the second race of the evening, Wales and The West moved into second place in the standings with a comfortable win for Von Baer. This vital win was also important for Saffie Osborne, who is attempting to retain her title for the third year. The Racing League queen gave the three-year-old filly a fine ride as Etoile d’Alexandre and Von Baer battled for the lead. However, the rain worked in their favour, showing a nice turnaround.
Osborne gave Fantasy Believer a good ride, despite missing the breakaway and stopping badly early on, the defending champion used this to her advantage. She settled at the back of the pack, allowing Qitaal and week one winner Rathgar, who were battling for the lead, to get a little burned. This allowed her to get a smooth, wide pass of the pack and easily overturn Yarmouth winner Rathgar.
The latter was a lucky one for Wales and the West, as favourite Carrytheone got the better of Rahmi and Streets Of Gold. It was a real battle to the line between the trio. Osborne again used the early home to his advantage and, despite hanging, the seven-year-old finished well.
Fantasy Believer received a fantastic pass from Osborne
Important week for London and the South
The first proved that Team London and South meant business, overtaking Team Ireland in the standings. They had first and second with Great Acclaim and Lady Flora. The latter led the way early in the race for her teammate, with Havana Rum for North close behind. The field was very spread out on the course, but nothing could match the might of Team London and South. A strong start for Matt Chapman’s team.
Oisin Murphy’s first winner was Gisburn
But the ball kept rolling for the purple team, who recorded two more wins, both in the hands of Oisín Murphy. It was an early one-two for them, as Gisburn emerged from the mist in the lead in the third race. He pushed home with North providing the chase at the end. Murphy was key, clearly in the race for the Champion Jockey title, he hasn’t raced at Chepstow since 2021, but made the trip well worth his time.
Lieber Power took home the hat-trick by winning his start. The steady Andrew Balding bided his time while wedged on the rail with teammate Bizarre Law just ahead alongside Walter Hartright with Gangster Granny the final hurdle. Patient running saw him wait for the gap and then leap in perfect timing to secure maximum points.
Yorkshire secured some much-needed points
Same result 12 months later
Manila Scouse retained his Racing League title, securing the same race a year later for Tim Easterby and Dave Allan. The five-year-old performed his task well and avoided a collision with Radio Goo Goo, who was challenging for the lead. In the closing stages it was the rain that worked in his favour, thriving on the softer ground, allowing him to give his best for Team Yorkshire.
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