The Neighsayers - Racing League Week 1

 Racing League Week 1

No matter what you think about the format or the promotion of the Racing League. It’s competitive racing for decent money, which is what the sport needs right now. 

Who will win this year’s edition? 

Well we’re firmly in the camp of London & The South to better their 2nd place finish last year. Available at 6/1 with sky bet to be the top team, if you can get more than pennies on. They’re led by marmite presenter, Matt Chapman.

Race 1 - 2YO 5F Nursery

A race where there doesn’t seem to be an abundance of pace on, so CALLIANASSA is the selection here. She went forward at York over 6 furlongs last time and showed plenty of speed, so the drop to 5 furlongs should suit on that evidence. The only other visible pace angle is I’m So Dizzy, but it looks as if she’ll break well before being restrained.

CALLIANASSA’S profile may look patchy, but if you ignore the Royal Ascot run where she was obviously outclassed, her profile is more than fair for the grade. She was 6th in the Hilary Needler when drastically unlucky being short of a run on more than one occasion. Then last time at York she was beaten by a horse better off at the weights.

Connections remove the headgear here so there is that slight chance of her running with the choke out, but hopefully with racing she’ll mature and relax well here. She’s the best horse in the race on ratings and I think that’ll show at the finish.

Selection - Callianassa 9/2

Race 2 - 6F Handicap

I’m backing the London & The South runner SHOBIZ to get us off to a flyer. Unbelievably for a sprint handicap at this level, there’s not much pace on, much like the opener. The selection is the pace angle and could just get free off the front.

Plenty of rain is forecast at Yarmouth (who’d have thought it’s July) but that won’t be a hinderance to SHOBIZ as he’s won on good and soft ground so I think he’s certain to run his race. The softer, maybe the better if the chasing pack struggle to make up any ground.

The danger here I think is London & The South’s other runner, Hectic. Who’s taking a step back in trip for the first time since his debut. Will we see Chapman play his wildcard?

Selection - Shobiz 5/2

Race 3 - 1m Handicap

This looks a pretty decent race for the 3YO’s to strike, receiving the 8lb weight for age allowance. ACHILLEA carries next to no weight here and is handicapped to go well.

Here worst performances have come on quick ground and there’s not much chance of being the case tomorrow. She found the drop back to 7 too sharp for her last time at Ascot, being outpaced before staying on to be never nearer as she crossed the line. The step up back to a mile should be well within her reach on ground with ease in. There’s soft ground winners in the family too.

Sun King and Awtaad Prince are likely to set the fractions here which should see the selection doing her best work at the finish. Shahbaz the danger here but might want a bit further than this trip, especially if the visor has the desired affect.

Selection - Achillea 11/2

Race 4 - 7F Handicap

This race looks tailor made for FARHH TO SHY. A mare I’m extremely fond up, but god she can be frustrating, particularly this season. However, the drop back to 7 furlongs on ground with a bit of ease in it could do just the trick.

Her strength is how well she travels and with the abundance of pace forecast in this race, she could be smuggled into this nicely and get up close home. Persuasion, Helm Rock, Able Kane and Alpine Sierra all have previous form when going forward. Ramiro could be another one to capitalise on a pace collapse but FARHH TO SHY should have the class edge. Will this be Team East’s first win on home soil?

Selection - Farhh To Shy 11/2

Race 5 - 5F Handicap

The now George Boughey trained THUNDER MOOR wasn’t disgraced on his return to action in the holyrood house at Royal Ascot, finishing midfield. That was his first run since September so it can be easily excused and with 3lb back from the handicapper and a 4lb weight for age allowance, this looks a good place for him to return to form.

He clearly wasn’t off at Ascot as he has one way of racing and one way only, from the front. With little pace pressure here he may just get out in front. I think we’ll know our fate early whether the horse has a chance or not, but at the prices I’m happy to make him the selection.

Selection - Thunder Moor 15/2

Race 6 - 1m 6F Handicap

Not a major opinion on this race, but if you put a gun to my head and asked me to pick a winner It would be ALNILAM. Seemingly sound now after a 2 runs on the back of a long break and won with any amount in hand. Weighted well and should continue improving.

Race 7 - 1m 2F Handicap

Quite frankly, I’d be surprised if LIKE A TIGER wasn’t the winner of this race. He’s been a non runner on numerous occasions on account of the ground, but that should not be the case here.

He gets a huge 9lb weight for age allowance, along with Regal Empire. He carries next to no weight on his back due to Certain Lad being rated 103 too.

He’s tactically versatile, having won by setting the tempo, or giving 7 lengths away at the start, so that should negate his draw whichever LIKE A TIGER decides to turn up and the only other pace angle I can see is Cumulonimbus. 

There’s plenty in here which look like they could be plots but the selection is just a group horse in a handicap, with the weights massively in his favour and I can’t see him beat. NAP of the card.

Selection - Like A Tiger 100/30

Let’s hope we have a decent, competitive card but more importantly some winners. Good luck and stay lucky.