The Neighsayers - Racing League Week 2

 After a disappointing start on the east coast last week with just Macanudo placing and a blank other wise, the racing league rolls into Dunstall Park for a night at Wolverhampton. The east took the spoils on night one just in front of our fancy for the outright title, Ireland.

Race 1 - 5f handicap

Not the greatest affair here but the Irish raider at the top of the market, MINT MAN looks the standout bet in this, a 7 race maiden so far but that's no determinant to his ability and I think a track like Wolves could really suit him. He's acted on Dundalk's all weather surface and placed off higher marks than here, with plenty, if not all of these looking more exposed than him too, he's the bet here. 5lb weight for age allowance in play here too.

Selection - Mint Man (5/1 General)

Race 2 - 6f handicap

Very nice 3yo handicap here, taking a chance on THUNDER BLUE at a price. Wasn't disgraced in the holyrood house at Ascot over shorter and then hampered at the start at Newmarket and was always on the back foot. On a positive, been dropped 5lb for those 2 runs and now looks handicapped to go close. Gets in here at the top of the weights and looks primed to strike given both Saffie/Jamie's exploits in the racing league previously

Selection - Thunder Blue EW (9/1 Bet365 4pl, 9/1 WH 3pl, 8/1 General 3pl)

Race 3 - extended mile handicap - 3yo 

CANDONOMORE looks to have a very fair each way chance in this field. He found the 7 furlong a bit sharp for him last time but now going back up in trip and further than he’s ever been, he could improve again. 3yo debut was nice enough albeit a bit of a mess given the favourite hung his chances away. There is all weather winners in the family back a generation so should act on the surface and at a big price he’s worth a chance.

Selection - Candonomore EW (16/1 General 4pl)

Race 4 - extended mile handicap - 4yo+

Strong hand here for wales and the west and LOUGH LEANE is the pick of those for me, clearly better on the AW than turf but has ran 2 encouraging races on turf with a solid run on the AW in the middle. He looks to have the ideal draw in 2 to get a decent midfield sit and not be posted too wide, he’ll be doing his best work late and should run into a place minimum.

Selection - Lough Leane EW (17/2 WH, 8/1 Coral, Lads, Paddy)

Race 5 - extended 9f handicap

Nice enough race this. Taking a chance on BREAK THE BANK returning to form having returned to the all weather. Won in nice style on artificial debut at Kempton earlier this season and has ran ok on turf since without pulling any trees up. Family is encouraging in regards to AW improvement, all those in his immediate family that have raced on the AW have won on it, Beat The Bank and Chil Chil most famously. Another weight for age allowance in play here.

Selection - Break The Bank (5/1 WH, B365, 9/2 general)

Race 6 - 14f handicap

Have to play DUKE OF OXFORD here, we thought he was a great bet in the Northumberland plate and he very nearly was. He travelled with class that day and just kicked too soon, finishing 3rd. Drop in trip shouldn’t be any problem here with how he goes through his races. Hoping he can find a position in the 2nd/3rd wave of runners.

Selection - Duke of Oxford (4/1 general, 9/2 bet365)

Race 7 - 6f handicap

No points for originality here but WILLEM TWEE is the play in this. He's rated 9lb superior to his next closest rival here, now obviously he's got to give that weight away but he's the proverbial group horse in a handicap and after his 3rd in the Group 3 Chipchase stakes at Newcastle last time out, I can't believe he's 4/1 in a place. They should go quick enough in front here which will only aid his chances further.

Selection - Willem Twee (4/1 Bet365, 7/2 William Hill, 100/30 General)